Steelers Escape With A Big Win Over The Ravens To Win The AFC North

In many ways, it was a fitting conclusion to a rivalry that has defined an era.

With the AFC North title and a playoff berth hanging in the balance, the Steelers held on for a dramatic 26–24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, securing the division crown.

---

Game Recap -

On their opening possession, the Ravens marched down the field behind a burst from running back Derrick Henry. Although the Steelers forced a fourth down, Lamar Jackson responded by hitting Devontez Walker on a 38‑yard strike, giving Baltimore an early 7–0 advantage.

After a failed fourth‑down attempt by Pittsburgh, the Ravens answered with a six‑play, 23‑yard drive capped by a field goal early in the second quarter, extending the lead to 10–0.

Midway through the second quarter, the Steelers finally broke through. Chris Boswell drilled a 57‑yard field goal to cut the deficit to 10–3.

Late in the half, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense pieced together what looked like a promising drive, covering 89 yards over 13 plays. But running back Kenneth Gainwell was stopped short of the goal line, allowing the Ravens to preserve their seven‑point lead heading into halftime.

Early in the third quarter, the Steelers finally broke through with a 12‑play, 67‑yard scoring drive, sparked by a 28‑yard grab from Adam Thielen and capped off by a touchdown to tight end Connor Heyward, pulling Pittsburgh even at 10–10.

On the ensuing defensive series, All‑Pro linebacker T.J. Watt came up with a pivotal interception after Cameron Heyward deflected the pass at the line. The Steelers capitalized on the turnover with a field goal, giving them their first lead of the afternoon.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Ravens reclaimed the lead when Alex Highsmith narrowly missed a sack, allowing Lamar Jackson to fire a 50‑yard touchdown strike to Zay Flowers, putting Baltimore back on top 17–13.

The Steelers answered right back, opening the drive with a 15‑yard burst from Jaylen Warren, followed by a 31‑yard strike to Pat Freiermuth. Kenneth Gainwell finished the series with a touchdown run, and the extra point pushed Pittsburgh ahead 20–17 late in the contest.

Just when it looked like momentum had fully swung, the Ravens delivered a lightning‑quick response. Zay Flowers hauled in a 64‑yard touchdown — his second of the game — vaulting Baltimore back in front, 24–20.

The Steelers regained the lead on a 26‑yard touchdown strike to Calvin Austin III; however, a missed extra point left them with only a two‑point advantage and just a few seconds remaining in the contest.

On 4th-and-7, tight end Isaiah Likely convert, giving the Ravens optimal field position. Kicker Tyler Loop however, misses the field goal, give the Steelers the win and the AFC North crown.

---

As challenging as the game was on both sides of the ball, the Steelers found a way to win and will now advance to the Wild Card round to face the Houston Texans on January 12, under the lights of Monday Night Football.