If you want to understand the soul of the AFC North, you don't look at highlight reels of flashy 50-yard bombs or fancy celebrations. You look at a pile of dirt and grass in the middle of January where two massive human beings are trying to take each other’s heads off for a six-inch gain. That is the essence of the Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens rivalry. It’s a feud built on bad blood, mutual respect, and a weirdly consistent ability to make every single game come down to the final thirty seconds.
Honestly, the 2025 season took this already chaotic rivalry and turned the volume up to eleven. We saw a legendary quarterback swap jerseys, a rookie kicker’s heartbreak, and a divisional race that felt more like a war of attrition than a football season.
The Aaron Rodgers Era Hits the Rivalry
Nobody actually thought they’d see it. Aaron Rodgers in a Black and Gold jersey? It felt like a fever dream. But there he was, standing in the pocket at M&T Bank Stadium in December 2025, staring down a Ravens defense that has spent two decades making life miserable for Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
Pittsburgh’s 27-22 win over Baltimore in Week 14 was a massive turning point. Rodgers didn't just play well; he played "Steeler football." He was efficient, finishing with 284 yards and two total touchdowns despite playing with a soft cast on a broken left wrist.
The game was peak AFC North chaos.
Baltimore actually outrushed the Steelers by nearly 200 yards. Think about that. The Ravens put up 217 yards on the ground while holding Pittsburgh to a measly 34. Usually, if you win the rushing battle by that much, you're coasting to a blowout. Instead, the Ravens lost. It was the largest rushing advantage for a losing team in years.
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Why the Ravens Couldn't Close
- Turnovers: Lamar Jackson was intercepted by his own cousin, James Pierre. You can’t make this stuff up.
- Replay Heartbreak: A late Ravens touchdown was overturned by review with less than three minutes left.
- Red Zone Efficiency: The Steelers were opportunistic, capitalizing on a penalty during a field goal attempt to score a Kenneth Gainwell touchdown instead.
Lamar Jackson vs the Pittsburgh Hex
It’s the elephant in the room that Baltimore fans hate talking about. For some reason, the Steelers just have Lamar’s number. Entering the 2025 season, Jackson's career passer rating against Pittsburgh was his lowest against any team in the NFL.
He’s a two-time MVP. He’s a human highlight reel. But when he sees that Terrible Towel, things get weird.
In the 2025 season finale—a game that basically functioned as a playoff play-in—Lamar was brilliant in flashes. He found Zay Flowers for two massive touchdowns in the fourth quarter. It looked like he was finally going to exorcise the demons. Flowers was a beast all year, moving into the top ten of the Ravens' all-time receiving list, and his chemistry with Jackson kept Baltimore alive when the run game stalled.
But "almost" doesn't win division titles.
The Kick That Changed Everything
January 4, 2026. The stakes were simple: win and you're the AFC North champions. Lose and you might be heading to the couch for the postseason.
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The game was a classic slog. Highsmith ended a late Ravens drive with a sack on Lamar, but Baltimore clawed back. With the clock winding down, Isaiah Likely made a leaping grab on fourth down that gave rookie kicker Tyler Loop a chance at immortality.
A 44-yard field goal. That’s all they needed.
Loop had been solid all year, but the pressure of the Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens rivalry is a different beast. The kick sailed wide right. Just like that, the Steelers took the 26-24 victory and the division crown. The Ravens, who started the season 1-5 before a heroic mid-season surge, finished 8-9 and out of the dance.
Breaking Down the All-Time Numbers
If you’re arguing with a Ravens fan at a bar, you need the stats. Pittsburgh still holds the edge in the overall series, leadings 38-27 (including the playoffs).
But the real story is the margin of victory.
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Since 2008, nearly 30 of their meetings have been decided by a single score. That is an absurd level of parity. It doesn't matter if one team is 12-0 and the other is 0-12; when these two meet, it’s going to be a three-point game.
The coaching matchup between Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh is now the second-most frequent coaching rivalry in NFL history. They’ve faced off roughly 40 times. They know each other's favorite colors, much less their favorite third-down blitz packages.
The Recent Shift
Believe it or not, the Steelers have actually won nine of the last 12 meetings. Despite Baltimore often having the "scarier" roster on paper, Mike Tomlin has found a way to drag the Ravens into the mud and beat them with experience.
What to Watch for in 2026
The rivalry isn't slowing down. Both teams are facing massive offseason questions that will define the next chapter.
- The Steelers' Passing Identity: With Rodgers turning another year older and DK Metcalf being a focal point (when he's not suspended), can Pittsburgh keep up this efficient passing attack, or will they regress to the "putrid" offensive labels media gave them early in '25?
- Baltimore’s Defensive Identity: The Ravens struggled with a consistent pass rush last season, sacking Rodgers only twice in two games. They need to find a way to get home without blitzing Kyle Hamilton into oblivion.
- Lamar's Health and Help: Derrick Henry is still a monster, but he can't do it alone. The Ravens have to decide if they’re going to "run it back" with the same core or make a splash in free agency to help Zay Flowers.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you're betting on or watching the next Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens game, ignore the record books. Look at the turnover margin and the injury report for the secondary. In this rivalry, the team that flinches first usually loses. If you're attending a game at Acrisure Stadium or M&T Bank Stadium, bring earplugs and expect to stay until the final whistle. This isn't just football; it's a 60-minute stress test.