Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh have spent nearly two decades staring across the sideline from each other.

At some point, there’s going to be a last time. There’s a sense that the 40th meeting between them might be it.

On the surface, tonight’s showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) and Baltimore Ravens (8-8) is for the AFC North title, fitting for two rivals that have played ping-pong with the division crown over a span of nearly two decades.

Yet the outcome might have significant ripple effects for a pair of clubs that haven’t consistently looked like playoff-worthy teams over the last four months.

“I think both teams have their warts,” longtime Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward said. “But both teams have a chance to play their best ball late. And I would like to be the victor in that.”

Tomlin’s 19th season in Pittsburgh has been uneven. A month ago, fans at Acrisure Stadium were calling for his job.

In fitting Tomlin style, the Steelers responded by ripping off three straight victories — starting with a win at Baltimore on the first Sunday of December. And in fitting Tomlin style, Pittsburgh let a chance to wrap up the division slip away during a three-hour pratfall in the muck at Cleveland last weekend.

The Ravens appeared buried after an injury-plagued 1-5 start. They got it together enough to briefly join the Steelers atop the division, only to stumble yet again before an emphatic victory at Green Bay last weekend.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson plans to play after missing that game with a back injury, though it’s fair to start wondering where the marriage between the two-time MVP and the only head coach he’s ever known might be heading should Baltimore miss the playoffs.

Harbaugh, wrapping up his 18th season with the Ravens, understands the conversation even if he wants no part of it.

“All that stuff makes it all kind of interesting and kind of fun and real,” he said. “It’s sports, and that’s how sports are. And I think that’s part of the intrigue of it all, so I feel really honored to be a part of that.”

Pittsburgh hasn’t won the division since 2020 and hasn’t advanced in the playoffs since 2016. The Steelers have stressed repeatedly over the last 11 1/2 months the need to put an end to their six-game postseason losing streak.

The notoriously tunnel-visioned Tomlin, whose future beyond the end of this season has become the topic of what to this point remains idle speculation, declined to zoom out on what the fallout might be should the Ravens walk off the field as AFC North champions.

“The winner goes on,” Tomlin said simply.

And the loser will start an offseason that threatens to be more eventful than usual.

The pick: Ravens, 24-23

Line: Cowboys by 3 1/2

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys aim to avoid a losing record. Dallas hasn’t has had consecutive losing seasons in 23 years and Prescott has never had a losing season when healthy. The Giants cost themselves the No. 1 pick by beating the Raiders. They can’t afford to drop further in the draft order.

The pick: Cowboys, 30-20

Line: Falcons by 3 1/2

Tyler Shough has led the Saints to four straight wins and is 5-3 as a starter. Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson and the Falcons are coming off an impressive win over the Rams last Monday. Atlanta beat New Orleans 24-10 in Week 12.

The pick: Falcons, 24-21

Line: Bengals by 7 1/2

Myles Garrett stills needs a sack to pass Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt for the NFL’s single-season record. Joe Burrow and the Bengals are wrapping up another disappointing season.

The pick: Bengals, 23-17

Line: Vikings by 7

The Packers are locked into the NFC’s No. 7 seed and should rest their starters for the playoffs. The Vikings have won four in a row and are playing for a winning record instead of worrying about draft positioning.

The pick: Vikings, 24-13

Line: Jaguars by 12 1/2

Cam Ward has eight touchdowns and only one interception in the past four games, a bright spot in a lost season for Tennessee. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars need a win to secure the AFC South title in rookie coach Liam Coen’s first season.

The pick: Jaguars, 27-12

Line: Texans by 10 1/2

QB Riley Leonard will start over Philip Rivers, who went 0-3 in his remarkable comeback, and the Colts have gone from 7-1 to out of the playoffs. The Texans need a victory and loss by the Jaguars to lock up their third straight division crown.

The pick: Texans, 23-14

Line: Bills by 7

Another disastrous season for the Jets mercifully comes to a close. Josh Allen and the Bills are heading to the playoffs. They’ll be the No. 5, 6 or 7 seed and it would make sense for coach Sean McDermott to rest some players.

The pick: Bills, 20-16

Line: Bears by 3

The Lions have gone from 15-1 to out of the playoffs. It’s a bitter ending for a team that entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations. They’re playing for a winning record. Caleb Williams and the NFC North champion Bears are heading to the playoffs. A victory secures the No. 2 seed, which means at least two home playoff games if they beat Green Bay in the first round.

The pick: Bears, 27-23

Line: Broncos by 12 1/2

QB Trey Lance will start while Justin Herbert rests as the Chargers prepare for the playoffs. Bo Nix and the Broncos are playing for the No. 1 seed.

The pick: Broncos, 26-13

Line: Chiefs by 5 1/2

Chris Oladokun played well in his first career start and the going-nowhere Chiefs gave Denver a tough battle on Christmas. The Raiders are playing for the No. 1 overall pick and know they can’t afford to mess that up.

The pick: Chiefs, 25-12

Line: Rams by 7 1/2

The Cardinals are heading toward a difficult offseason. The Rams are going to the playoffs but two straight losses took them out of contention for the No. 1 seed. Because the 49ers lost to the Seahawks on Saturday night, the Rams have a chance to move up in the seedings. The Rams can secure the No. 5 slot with a victory today and might choose to not rest their starters.

The pick: Rams, 24-17

Line: Patriots by 10 1/2

Quinn Ewers played well in his second start to earn his first career win and the Dolphins are 5-2 in the past seven games. Drake Maye and the Patriots have a chance to secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed if they win and the Broncos lose.

The pick: Patriots, 31-17

Line: Eagles by 4

Hard to believe the Commanders and Eagles played in the NFC title game a year ago. Washington closes a dismal season. Philadelphia needs a win and a loss or tie by the Bears to get the No. 2 seed. The Eagles were the NFC’s No. 2 seed last year when they won the Super Bowl. They’re likely resting their key starters.

The pick: Eagles, 23-16