NFL news: Winner-take-all showdown in Pittsburgh as Steelers, Ravens clash for AFC North title

There are a number of huge games taking place in the NFL this weekend, the final week of the regular season, but none more so than the one in Pennsylvania where the Pittsburgh Steelers host AFC North rivals the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens stand at 8-8 for the season and face a Steelers side who are 9-7 after a shock loss to the Cleveland Browns last time out.

Baltimore created their own surprise last week when winning in Green Bay against the Packers to set up a winner-take-all clash against Pittsburgh.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Graeme Bailey previews the much-anticipated NFL showdown.

Ravens eye post-season spot

Coming into NFL week 18, the Ravens are suddenly favourites to land the only play-off berth that will come from AFC North – the one that goes to the winner of the division.

A victory for Baltimore ties them with Pittsburgh on 9-8, but the Ravens would get the final play-off berth as they have a better divisional record.

The bookmakers are clearly not going with home advantage, with Baltimore clear favourites at 1/2 and Pittsburgh long odds at 13/8.

It would be a remarkable achievement for the Maryland franchise given they started the season 1-5.

Indeed, there was less than an eight per cent chance they would make the play-offs at that point, but now they are on the brink of claiming a spot in the post-season.

Super Bowl remains unlikely

Whichever side makes it through to the play-offs, neither is fancied to be challenging for a place in Super Bowl LX.

The Ravens are currently 18/1 to win the showpiece while the Steelers are as long as 80/1.

Another side note to the game in Pittsburgh is that the losing team might very well part ways with their head coach in the wake of defeat.

This would be huge news as both Mike Tomlin (Steelers) and John Harbaugh (Ravens) are in their 18th season with their respective franchises.

MORE FROM GRAEME BAILEY: NFL news: Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars chase maiden Super Bowl glory