Barely any sign of Baltimore's brilliant running back Derrick Henry on this opening play as Lamar Jackson makes four straight plays with his own legs.

Just a reminder to this Steelers defence that Jackson is well prepared to make things happen by himself.

Lamar Jackson won't appreciate that, as tackle Ronnie Stanley is penalised for a false start on second down.

That five-yard penalty drops the Ravens back to the brink of their own end zone.

Jason Bell
Former NFL cornerback on Sky Sports

This is the match-up we've all come to see. MVP Lamar Jackson, can he be contained?

He can make anything happen, when a play is dead he can keep it alive. When he's in the pocket and they're forcing him to throw the ball he can make all the throws.

Image source, Getty Images

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is in Baltimore for this play-off game. He usually gets a so-so reception from fans but a few Steelers followers want their Terrible Towel signing by the boss

Jaylen Warren did pick up a first down for the Steelers on their opening play but the progress is shortlived as Kyle Van Noy stops Russell Wilson on third down next time round.

No points for the visitors but there is a bit of joy as Steven Sims muffs his catch from the Pittsburgh punt.

Lamar Jackson will get the ball on his own five-yard line.

Image source, Getty Images

We've had the anthems. The eerie purple glow that lit up M&T Bank Stadium has been switched off.

And the ball is in the hands of Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson.

An electric rivalry is about to get its latest instalment.

Baltimore's 355lb Michael Pierce grabbed an interception and a place in our plays of the week last week - watch out for the big man Russell Wilson!

Jason Bell says Lamar Jackson is the MVP. I guess we may find out tonight.

But before it all gets going at the atmospheric M&T Bank Stadium - what do you reckon? Best in the NFL?

Hit the thumbs.

Lamar Jackson’s post-season record is unimpressive.

Not only that, his record against the Pittsburgh Steelers is a cause for concern.

In an AFC conference that is stacked with outstanding quarterbacks (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow among others), perhaps Jackson needs a Super Bowl to prove he is the best

Jason Bell
Former NFL cornerback on Sky Sports

Lamar Jackson wants this - he needs this. He's the best candidate for MVP this season in my opinion.

He has talked about being nervous in the past but this is the best offence he has ever played in.

But he’s got to get to the dance.

The stats don’t lie. Lamar Jackson is exceptional.

As well as the above, this season he:

• Threw 41 touchdown passes and four interceptions in the regular season
• Became the first player with at least 40 touchdown passes and fewer than five interceptions in a season in NFL history
• Had seven games with a passer rating of at least 135.0 – a single-season record

He is the favourite to be named the league’s Most Valuable Player for the third time in his career

Last season, the Ravens were one of the best defences in the NFL. For the first 70% of this season, they were way below average.

But what a turnaround in the final five weeks. Kyle Hamilton and company are back to their brilliant best – and that’s bad news for a Pittsburgh Steelers offence that has been spluttering over the same time period.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have won eight of their past 10 games with the Ravens. Despite that defeat in December, head coach Mike Tomlin knows what it takes to get it done against Baltimore.

Quarterback Russell Wilson has a Super Bowl win on his CV, although that was 10 years ago with the Seattle Seahawks. Linebacker TJ Watt is one of the best in the NFL and jointly holds the record for most sacks in a season (22.5 in 2021).

Both will need big performances if the Steelers can upset the odds tonight.

Steve Smith Sr.
Former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver on NFL Network

[This game] is a reset, it's a new season because it's the play-offs. But then you're up against your division rival and you know exactly what they're doing. But there could be surprises.

There's going to be a lot of spiciness, a lot of hitting players after the whistle. I love these kind of games, it's like college football. The passion and excitement of the players extends to the fans.

Steelers players don't like Ravens fans and Ravens players don't like Steelers fans. Home advantage could be important.

Image source, Getty Images

As AFC North rivals, Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers have already played each other twice this season.

In November, the Steelers edged the Ravens 18-16 at Acrisure Stadium, albeit every point came via the boot of kicker Chris Boswell.

The Ravens got sweet revenge only three weeks ago at home with a 34-17 win, including three touchdown passes from Lamar Jackson.

If you believe the bookmakers, the Ravens are in line for a similar display this evening – but as we've already seen tonight, play-offs are anything but predictable.

Phoebe Schecter
BBC Sport NFL columnist

Image source, Getty Images

This will always be a physical game but although (receiver) George Pickens is back for the Steelers, it's just not firing for them as it was earlier in the season.

Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson has taken this new approach - pretty much since losing to the Steelers in November - where he's taken control of the offence and run the ball more, so I see the Ravens coming out on top.

Who else did Phoebe predict to win in the Wildcard Round?

Image source, Getty Images

A third meeting this season between heated enemies Baltimore and Pittsburgh, with the Steelers dominating this rivalry by winning eight out of nine before being thumped in the last meeting.

Head coach Mike Tomlin seemed to be MVP candidate Lamar Jackson's kryptonite, but the wheels came off Pittsburgh's season down the stretch. Being without injured wide receiver Zay Flowers will hurt Baltimore so expect Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry to run them to victory.

Read the full piece

Image source, Getty Images

So we now know the Houston Texans will be playing next weekend in the Divisional Round.

But we’re only just getting started with the NFL play-offs.

Shortly we’ll be crossing to Maryland for the bitterest of rivalries as Baltimore Ravens host fellow AFC North side Pittsburgh Steelers.

And as for tomorrow…

• AFC - Denver Broncos (7) at Buffalo Bills (2), 18:00 GMT
• NFC - Green Bay Packers (7) at Philadelphia Eagles (2), 21:30 GMT
• NFC - Washington Commanders (6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3), 01:00 GMT (Monday morning)

Monday, 13 January

• NFC - Minnesota Vikings (5) at Los Angeles Rams (4), 01:00 GMT (Tuesday morning)

Phoebe Schecter
BBC Sport NFL columnist on Sky Sports

This has gone against everything. Justin Herbert is one of the cleanest quarterbacks in the game in terms of his interceptions, and he's already doubled what he's done all season. That's what the play-offs can do to you. Big stages, big moments.

The Texans are in victory formation here.

A swathe of red celebrates as CJ Stroud makes it back-to-back victories in the Wildcard Round of the NFL play-offs.

We did not see that coming in the first half.