The 2014 AFC playoffs begin with a classic rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. The two AFC North teams will kick off on Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. EST.

The Ravens and Steelers equal one of the most bitter rivalries in the NFL today. The two teams each won one game against one another this season, and this will be the third meeting. In past postseason meeting, the Steelers have won all three games.

Let's break down the teams and see who has the advantage:

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are a dangerous team. Let's not forget this team won the Super Bowl just two years ago over the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach John Harbaugh is one of the best coaches in the NFL today, and he would love to add another Super Bowl to his collection.

Quarterback Joe Flacco is inconsistent, but he did throw a career-high 27 touchdowns this season. The former Super Bowl MVP also threw for a career high 3,988 yards. You could make a case that Flacco was the most underrated quarterback in the league this season.

Steve Smith Sr. has proven to be a great free agent addition, as he did lead the Ravens in receiving yards this season with 1,065 yards. With Justin Forsett running the ball, the Ravens offense ranks eighth overall in points scored. Naturally, the Ravens have a strong defense with Terrell Suggs leading the way. Suggs and Elvis Dumervil had a combined 29 sacks this season, and 22-year-old rookie linebacker C.J. Mosley has been fantastic with a team-leading 87 tackles.

The Ravens defeated the Steelers in Week 2, 26-6. However, the Steelers returned the favor in Week 9, winning 43-23. Both games were won by the home team.

If the Ravens win, they will automatically play the New England Patriots in the second round.

The X factor in this game for the Ravens will be tight end Owen Daniels. With so much attention being spent on Steve Smith and Torrey Smith, Daniels should get a lot of balls thrown his way.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers finished the regular season with an 11-5 record, winning the AFC North just ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals. Thus, the Steelers are the No. 3 seed in the AFC. This is the first time since 2010 that the Steelers won the AFC North.

Terrible news out of Pittsburgh concerning running back Le'Veon Bell recently broke. Bell will not play against the Ravens because of a knee injury he suffered against the Bengals in Week 17. That's a huge loss for the Steelers because Bell was the No.2 leading rusher this season with 1,361 yards. Only Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray had more rushing yards.

Still, the Steelers must fight on.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a fantastic season with a career-high 32 touchdowns and led the league in passing yards with 4,952. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees also had exactly 4,952 passing yards.

The Steelers' offense ranks No. 2 in the NFL this season much in part to wide receiver Antonio Brown. Brown is an elite receiver who had 1,698 yards through the air and 13 touchdowns. The biggest weakness in the Steelers is without a doubt their pass defense. The Steelers secondary gave up the fifth most passing yards and the fourth most passing touchdowns.

Playing at Heinz Field will be one of the best things going for the Steelers.

Schedule, Where to Watch

The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will play each other on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 8:15 p.m. EST on NBC. The game will be played at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You can view a live game stream here.

Predictions

The loss of Bell can't be overstated. Not just a quality running back, Bell was also the Steelers' second leading receiver in catches and receiving yards. Dick LeBeau will have some tricks up his sleeves, but there's just not enough playmakers on defense to stop the Ravens' balanced offense.

Ravens win 24-20

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter

FOR MORE SPORTS NEWS AND UPDATES, CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VISIT LATIN POST.COM'S SPORTS PAGE