The air in Pittsburgh was different on January 4, 2026. If you follow this rivalry, you know it's basically a legally sanctioned car crash every time these two teams meet. But this one? It felt heavier. Everything was on the line. The AFC North title. A ticket to the postseason. The chance to send a bitter rival home for the winter.
When the dust finally settled at Acrisure Stadium, the score of the steelers ravens game read Pittsburgh 26, Baltimore 24.
It was a result that felt impossible just two hours earlier. People were already writing the Steelers' obituary when they fell behind early. But then again, if you’ve watched Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh trade blows for the better part of two decades, you should have known better. It’s never over until someone misses a kick they usually make in their sleep.
The Wild Fourth Quarter Nobody Expected
Honestly, for about three quarters, this was a classic "three yards and a cloud of dust" defensive struggle. Then, the fourth quarter hit and the game turned into a video game.
Lamar Jackson was doing Lamar things. He escaped a collapsing pocket—twice—to find Zay Flowers for a 50-yard touchdown. Then, after the Steelers answered back with a Kenneth Gainwell touchdown, Jackson did it again. A 64-yard bomb to Flowers that made the entire stadium go silent.
With 2:20 left on the clock, the Ravens led 24-20.
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That's when Aaron Rodgers reminded everyone why the Steelers brought a 42-year-old quarterback to town. He didn't panic. He just carved. Six plays, 65 yards. He found Calvin Austin III on a 26-yard rainbow down the sideline with 55 seconds left. Touchdown.
The Kicking Drama That Decided It All
This is where it gets weird. Chris Boswell, who is usually automatic, missed the extra point.
That miss left the door wide open. Instead of needing a touchdown, the Ravens only needed a field goal to win. Lamar Jackson marched them right down the field, converting a clutch 4th-and-7 to Isaiah Likely to put Baltimore at the Pittsburgh 22-yard line.
Enter Tyler Loop.
The rookie kicker had big shoes to fill after the Ravens moved on from Justin Tucker earlier in the season. With the season on his foot from 44 yards out, he pushed it wide right. Game over. Season over for Baltimore.
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Why This Specific Score Matters
The 26-24 finish isn't just a number in a win-loss column. It shifted the entire power dynamic of the AFC North.
- Mike Tomlin's Legacy: With this win, Tomlin reached 193 regular-season victories, tying the legendary Chuck Noll for the most in Steelers history.
- AFC North Standings: Pittsburgh finished 10-7, clinching the division and securing a home playoff game against the Houston Texans.
- Ravens Heartbreak: Baltimore finished 8-9. They went from being 1-5, fighting back into contention, to missing the playoffs entirely because of a few inches on a field goal.
Looking at the Box Score
If you just look at the stats, you'd think the Ravens dominated. Derrick Henry was a monster, rushing for 126 yards and becoming only the ninth player in NFL history to hit 13,000 career yards.
But the Steelers' defense, led by T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, made the plays that actually mattered. Watt's interception off a tipped pass in the third quarter completely flipped the momentum. It allowed Pittsburgh to take their first lead of the game.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Game
A lot of national media outlets are focusing on the missed kick. They’re calling it a "choke."
That's lazy.
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The reality is that Baltimore lost this game in the second quarter. They had a 10-0 lead and the ball in Pittsburgh territory. Instead of putting their foot on the throat, they settled for a field goal and then let the Steelers' offense stay on the field for nearly 35 minutes of possession.
You can't give a guy like Aaron Rodgers that much time. Even at his age, if you give him the last possession in a one-score game, you’re playing with fire.
Moving Forward: What's Next for Both Teams?
The score of the steelers ravens game sent these two franchises in opposite directions. For Pittsburgh, it's a "reset" on their postseason narrative. They have a massive monkey on their back regarding their recent playoff drought, and hosting the Texans is their best shot to break it.
For the Ravens, it's a long offseason of "what ifs." The decision to move on from Justin Tucker will be scrutinized for months. Tyler Loop is a talented kid, but in the AFC North, the margin for error is zero.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the All-22 Film: If you can, go back and watch the Steelers' defensive rotations in the second half. They shifted to a lighter box to contain the Lamar-to-Flowers connection, which is why Henry found more room, but it ultimately limited the big plays.
- Monitor the Injury Report: The Steelers came out of this game relatively healthy, which is a miracle given the physicality. This is huge for their Wild Card matchup.
- Keep an Eye on the Kicker Market: Expect Baltimore to bring in veteran competition for Loop during training camp. You don't let a division title slip away like that without making a move.
The rivalry remains the best in football. It’s ugly, it’s loud, and it usually ends with one city celebrating and the other wondering how it all went wrong in the final sixty seconds.