It was the final game of Week 18, closing out the regular NFL season. The Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium, with both teams vying for a playoff spot in what has become one of the league’s most intense rivalries.
The match had high stakes: the winner would move on to single-elimination playoffs, while the loser’s season would end. For over three decades, games between these teams have been known for their physicality and close outcomes. Tickets were highly sought after, and television ratings were strong.
Sunday night’s game lasted just over three hours and saw both teams alternate moments of dominance. The Steelers emerged victorious with a 26-24 win, securing their 25th Division Championship—15 AFC Central titles and 10 AFC North titles—and earning the right to host the Houston Texans in a Wild Card Round Game scheduled for Monday, January 12.
The contest followed a familiar pattern in this rivalry: it was decided by only two points and came down to a missed field goal attempt. Rookie Tyler Loop missed a potential game-winning 44-yard field goal with two seconds remaining, which recalled another notable missed kick in Steelers history.
Early in the game, Baltimore took an early lead after Derrick Henry broke away for a long run and Lamar Jackson connected with Devontez Walker for a touchdown. The Ravens maintained statistical advantages throughout much of the first half. However, Chris Boswell put Pittsburgh on the board with a 57-yard field goal before halftime.
In the second half, Pittsburgh responded with steady offense. Connor Heyward scored on consecutive plays near the goal line to tie the game at ten points each. Later, T.J. Watt intercepted Jackson’s pass, leading to another Boswell field goal that gave Pittsburgh its first lead.
Baltimore answered quickly when Jackson found Zay Flowers for two long touchdowns in separate drives during the fourth quarter. Still trailing late in regulation, Aaron Rodgers led Pittsburgh downfield on an efficient drive capped by a touchdown pass set up by Calvin Austin III’s route adjustment—a decision made collaboratively in the huddle as Rodgers explained: “Calvin is the sweetest guy… In this particular huddle conversation I said, ‘What do you want, Cal?’ And somebody to my right – I don’t know if it was Mason McCormick or Pat Freiermuth said, ‘Just go cook ’em’ or something like that… I peeked back to the left and saw (CB Chidobe Awuzie) slip, and that’s a gimme touchdown.”
A blocked extra point left Pittsburgh ahead by only two points instead of three. Baltimore threatened again but failed to convert when Loop’s kick went wide right as time expired.
Afterward Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed his team’s defensive lapses on big plays: “Good plays by them, negligence by us,” Tomlin said about giving up two long touchdowns. “On the first one I thought we had Lamar in the backfield… You just respect that component of his game… He fought tooth and nail to lead his team to victory and you’ve got to respect that.”
Tomlin added praise for his players’ unity: “Guys had a great week this week… Defense supported offense when offense needed to be supported. Offense supported defense when defense needed to be supported. That’s team. We are AFC North Champions… But we didn’t come here for that. We came here for what lies ahead…”
With this victory, Pittsburgh adds another chapter to its extensive football legacy as part of the National Football League. The franchise is recognized not only for its success—including six Super Bowl championships (official website)—but also for honoring past contributors through initiatives like its Hall of Honor (official website). Acrisure Stadium serves as both home stadium and headquarters (official website), further connecting fans with team history through exhibits such as those featured at their museum (official website).
Pittsburgh will now prepare for its next challenge against Houston in pursuit of postseason success.
