If you're asking did Steelers beat Ravens today, you're likely looking for more than just a box score. You're looking for an explanation of how one of the most physical rivalries in professional sports turned into another defensive slugfest where the scoreboard barely moved but the intensity was through the roof.
The Pittsburgh Steelers did, in fact, beat the Baltimore Ravens in their most recent meeting, a 18-16 thriller that felt more like a 1970s bar fight than a modern NFL game. It wasn't pretty. It was gritty. It was exactly what Mike Tomlin lives for.
Honestly, the rivalry between these two teams is basically a coin flip every single time they step on the field. You've got Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP who looks like a video game character against every other team in the league, and then he runs into the Pittsburgh "Steel Curtain" and suddenly everything looks human again. It's weird. It defies logic. But that's AFC North football for you.
Why the Steelers Always Seem to Have Baltimore’s Number
When you look at the question of whether the Steelers beat the Ravens, you have to look at the trend over the last few years. It’s not a fluke anymore. Pittsburgh has won eight of the last nine matchups. Think about that for a second. In an era where the Ravens have often had the better record or the flashier offense, the Steelers just keep finding ways to drag them into the mud and win.
The most recent game was a masterclass in "bend but don't break" defense. The Ravens offense is a juggernaut. They lead the league in yards. They score points at will. Yet, Chris Boswell—the Steelers kicker—ended up being the MVP of the game because he accounted for every single Pittsburgh point. Six field goals. Zero touchdowns. And they still won.
It’s almost hilarious when you think about it. You have a team with Justin Tucker, arguably the greatest kicker of all time, missing two field goals in the same game while Boswell is out there nailing 50-plus yarders like he’s at a practice session. That was the difference. Special teams and a defense that forced turnovers at the exact moment Baltimore looked ready to take over.
The Lamar Jackson Problem in Pittsburgh
The biggest storyline every time these teams meet is Lamar Jackson's struggles against the Steelers. It’s the one riddle he hasn't quite solved. In the most recent loss, Jackson was held to under 50% completion. That's rare. He was pressured, he was hit, and most importantly, the Steelers took away his lanes.
T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig played like men possessed.
"It's not just about sacks," says former NFL scout Bryan Broaddus when discussing this matchup. "It's about the psychological edge Pittsburgh holds. They play a gap-sound defense that forces Lamar to be a pocket passer, and then they collapse that pocket slowly rather than over-pursuing."
When you ask did Steelers beat Ravens, the answer is usually found in the turnover margin. In this latest 18-16 win, the Steelers forced three turnovers. A fumble by Justice Hill and an interception by rookie linebacker Payton Wilson—who literally took the ball out of the receiver's hands while falling out of bounds—were the daggers.
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The Chris Boswell Show: Winning Without a Touchdown
Most fans assume you need to cross the goal line to win an NFL game. The Steelers proved that's just a suggestion. They became one of the few teams in history to win a game while scoring zero touchdowns and allowing two.
- Field Goal 1: 32 yards
- Field Goal 2: 52 yards
- Field Goal 3: 32 yards
- Field Goal 4: 57 yards
- Field Goal 5: 27 yards
- Field Goal 6: 50 yards
That is an insane level of consistency. If Boswell misses even one of those, the Ravens win. If Tucker makes even one of his misses, the game is tied or flipped. The margins are that thin.
Russell Wilson didn't have his best game. He threw a bad interception in the end zone that almost cost them everything. George Pickens made some big catches, but the offense stalled repeatedly in the red zone. But here’s the thing about the Steelers: they don't care. They will win 3-0 or 45-42, as long as they have one more point than the other guys.
The Defensive Masterplan
Teryl Austin, the Steelers' defensive coordinator, deserves a massive amount of credit. They didn't blitz Lamar Jackson constantly. They didn't sell out. They played a disciplined zone that kept everything in front of them. Derrick Henry got his yards—he’s too big not to—but they didn't let him break off the 60-yard soul-crusher that usually defines Ravens wins.
Patrick Queen, the former Raven turned Steeler, was the emotional heart of the defense. He had a forced fumble and a recovery against his old team. You could see the fire. He wanted this one more than anyone.
Breaking Down the Final Minutes
The game came down to a two-point conversion attempt. The Ravens scored a late touchdown to bring it to 18-16. If they convert, we go to overtime. Lamar Jackson rolled out to his left, looking for an opening. The Steelers defense stayed home. Joey Porter Jr. and the rest of the secondary smothered the options. Jackson tried to run, realized he wouldn't make it, and threw a desperate pass that fell harmlessly to the turf.
Game over.
It was a microcosm of the entire rivalry. Baltimore has the talent. Pittsburgh has the "find a way" factor.
There are people who argue that the Ravens are still the better team. Statistically? Sure. If you look at the roster top to bottom? Maybe. But football isn't played on a spreadsheet. It's played in the cold, on the grass, where mistakes are magnified. The Ravens finished the game with 12 penalties for 80 yards. You cannot beat a Mike Tomlin team when you are beating yourself.
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Historical Context of the 18-16 Score
This wasn't the first time they've played a weirdly low-scoring game. In fact, since 2020, the average margin of victory in this series is less than 4 points.
- Nov 2024: Steelers 18, Ravens 16
- Jan 2024: Steelers 17, Ravens 10
- Oct 2023: Steelers 17, Ravens 10
- Jan 2023: Steelers 16, Ravens 13
It's a pattern. If you're betting on these teams, always take the under. Always.
What This Means for the AFC North Standings
The fact that the Steelers beat the Ravens has massive implications for the playoffs. By winning the head-to-head matchup, Pittsburgh took control of the division. They essentially have a two-game lead when you factor in the tiebreaker.
Baltimore is now in a position where they likely need to win out and hope Pittsburgh stumbles against teams they should beat—like the Browns or Bengals. But with the way the Steelers' defense is playing, that seems unlikely.
There's also the mental aspect. The Ravens now have to live with the fact that they haven't beaten Russell Wilson or Kenny Pickett or even Mason Rudolph consistently. It gets in a team's head. You start pressing. You start overthinking the play calls. Todd Monken, the Ravens' offensive coordinator, looked frustrated all afternoon because the "easy" plays just weren't there.
The Impact of Health
Both teams came out of this relatively healthy, which is a miracle given the hitting. Najee Harris took some absolute shots but kept churning for those 3-yard gains that wear a defense down. On the other side, Zay Flowers was a bright spot for Baltimore, but he couldn't do it alone. Mark Andrews was largely neutralized.
The Steelers' ability to take away the middle of the field is what changed everything. DeShon Elliott and Minkah Fitzpatrick are arguably the best safety duo in the league right now when it comes to run support and intermediate coverage. They didn't give Jackson the "easy" throws to the tight ends that usually keep the chains moving.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The question of did Steelers beat Ravens is answered, but the fallout is just beginning.
For the Steelers: They have to prove this wasn't their Super Bowl. They have a history of playing down to opponents after big emotional wins. If they can maintain this level of defensive intensity, they are a legitimate threat to the Chiefs in the AFC.
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For the Ravens: It’s soul-searching time. They have to fix the pre-snap penalties. They have to figure out why Justin Tucker is suddenly human. Most importantly, they have to find a way to beat the Steelers in the rematch if they want any hope of a deep playoff run.
Critical Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the AFC North, here's what you need to remember from this clash.
The Steelers' pass rush is the equalizer. Even when the offense is stagnant, T.J. Watt can change a game in one play.
Baltimore’s discipline is their Achilles heel. They are often their own worst enemy when the lights are brightest.
Kicking matters. A lot. Chris Boswell is currently the most valuable player on the Pittsburgh roster, and it's not particularly close.
The rematch will be even more intense. Mark your calendars, because the next time these two meet, the stakes will be even higher, likely deciding the divisional crown and home-field advantage.
Actionable Insights for Following the Rivalry
- Watch the Injury Report: The physicality of these games often leads to "hangover" injuries. Check the status of edge rushers for the following week.
- Betting Trends: In the last 10 games between these two, the underdog has covered the spread 8 times.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Pay attention to how many times the Steelers' opponents reach the red zone versus how many touchdowns they score. That "bend but don't break" stat is the most predictive metric for Pittsburgh's success.
- Penalty Tracking: Monitor Baltimore's offensive line penalties in subsequent weeks. If they don't clean up the false starts and holding calls, their high-powered offense will continue to stall against elite defenses.
The Steelers beat the Ravens because they played "Steelers Football"—a brand of play that is often ugly, frequently stressful, but undeniably effective. It’s a formula that has kept Mike Tomlin without a losing season for nearly two decades, and based on this latest win, it’s a formula that isn't going away anytime soon.