NFL Playoff Scenarios: Baltimore Ravens and Teams That Need a Home Game

Playing at home in the playoffs is extremely important and can sometimes be the difference between winning and losing for many teams.

The Baltimore Ravens are just one team that would benefit greatly from having at least one home game this postseason.

Teams trying to earn home-field advantage in the playoffs or at least one home game will make the last few weeks of this NFL season really exciting, especially since there are so many games between divisional opponents in Weeks 16 and 17.

Let's look at three teams who need at least one home game in the playoffs this year.

1. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas is 3-4 on the road this season and has lost to inferior teams such as the Arizona Cardinals away from Cowboys Stadium.

The Cowboys play much better at home, as they are 5-2 in their own stadium. Four out of the five times that Dallas has scored 30 or more points in a game this season have been at home, and in front of the home-town crowd, quarterback Tony Romo will be more comfortable.

Dallas' only hope at getting into the playoffs will probably be winning the division, so they will likely have at least one home game if they make the postseason.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a talented veteran team, but they have not played well against top NFL teams on the road this season.

The Steelers played Baltimore, Houston, and San Francisco on the road this season and lost all of them by a combined scored of 72-20. 

That's a pretty wide score margin, and with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger nursing an injury, it would be a big boost to the Steelers if they can win the AFC North and secure a home game and a first-round bye.

Having to play two road games before a chance at a home playoff game could prevent Pittsburgh from making a third trip to the Super Bowl in four seasons.

3. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have been unbeatable this season at home with a perfect 7-0 record, but on the road they are just 3-4 and look like a completely different team.

The four road losses for the Ravens were against the Jaguars, Titans, Seahawks, and Chargers. Neither of those teams are any good, and Baltimore has been unable to get up for these games.

I understand it's hard to get emotionally ready to play bad teams, but losing to inferior teams on the road multiple times when you are fighting for a division title is a real problem.

If the Ravens don't win the division, they will struggle to make another AFC Championship game appearance.