If you turned off the TV with two minutes left on Sunday night, you missed one of the most chaotic finishes in the history of the AFC North. Seriously. This wasn’t just a regular-season finale; it was a high-stakes duel for the division title that looked like it belonged to Baltimore until, well, it didn’t.
The Pittsburgh Steelers won the Ravens Steelers game 26-24 in a match that felt more like a heavyweight boxing bout than a football game.
Acrisure Stadium was rocking, but for a long time, it was mostly nervous energy. Baltimore came out swinging. Lamar Jackson, returning from a back injury, looked like he hadn't missed a step early on. He found Devontez Walker for a 38-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and after a Tyler Loop field goal, the Ravens were sitting pretty with a 10-0 lead. Pittsburgh’s offense, led by the 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, looked stuck in the mud.
The Second Half Surge
Football is a game of adjustments. You’ve heard that a million times, but this game was the literal embodiment of it.
The Steelers finally found some life in the second half. It wasn't flashy at first. Chris Boswell hammered home a 57-yard field goal—which, honestly, might be the only reason they stayed in striking distance—and then the "Tush Push" made its way to Pittsburgh. Connor Heyward punched in a 1-yard score after being shoved by his brother, Cam Heyward, to tie it up at 10-10.
But then things got weird.
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Lamar Jackson reminded everyone why he's a two-time MVP. On a crucial third-and-4, he escaped what looked like a sure sack from T.J. Watt, rolled right, and launched a 50-yard bomb to Zay Flowers. Suddenly, it was 17-13 Ravens.
The lead changed hands four times in the fourth quarter alone.
- Kenneth Gainwell punched in a 2-yard run to put Pittsburgh up 20-17.
- Zay Flowers caught a massive 64-yard touchdown pass just moments later to make it 24-20 Baltimore.
- Calvin Austin III hauled in a 26-yard "rainbow" from Aaron Rodgers with only 55 seconds left.
That last score put the Steelers ahead 26-24. But here’s the kicker: Chris Boswell, usually the most reliable leg in the league, missed the extra point.
Why who won the ravens steelers game came down to one foot
That missed PAT opened the door wide for Baltimore. They didn't even need a touchdown; a field goal would win the game and the AFC North.
Lamar Jackson moved the chains efficiently, hitting Isaiah Likely for a 26-gain on a do-or-die fourth down. They got the ball to the Pittsburgh 24-yard line. They took a knee to center the ball for their rookie kicker, Tyler Loop.
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Loop had been perfect from that range all season. 7-for-7 from 40-49 yards.
The snap was clean. The hold was good. But Loop pushed the 44-yard attempt wide right as the clock hit zero.
The Steelers didn't just win a game; they clinched their first AFC North title in five years. For Baltimore, the loss was catastrophic. They went from potentially hosting a playoff game to being completely out of the postseason for the first time since 2021.
Key Stats and Nuance
While the final score shows a two-point gap, the underlying numbers tell a story of Pittsburgh's resilience.
The Rodgers Factor
Aaron Rodgers finished with 294 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn't perfect, but he was surgical when it mattered. His 37th career game-winning drive is what ultimately secured the win.
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Derrick Henry's Disappearing Act
"King" Henry started the night like a freight train, racking up 112 yards in the first half alone. But the Steelers' defense, led by Nick Herbig and Alex Highsmith, completely shut him down in the second half. He finished with 126 yards, meaning he only managed 14 yards after halftime.
Ravens Self-Sabotage
Baltimore fans will be thinking about the "what ifs" for months. A holding penalty on Tyler Linderbaum wiped out a 20-yard Jackson run. A deflected pass off Ronnie Stanley's hands led to a backbreaking interception. These small errors added up to a "gut-wrenching" loss, as the team's own editorial staff described it.
What Happens Next for Both Teams?
The win catapults the Steelers (10-7) into the Wild Card round. They are scheduled to host the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. This victory also holds historical weight for Mike Tomlin; it was his 193rd regular-season win, tying him with the legendary Chuck Noll for the most in franchise history.
For the Ravens, it's a long offseason of searching for answers. Their 8-9 finish is a bitter pill to swallow after a season that showed so much promise.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Waiver Wire: If you're playing playoff fantasy, keep an eye on Calvin Austin III. With DK Metcalf out, he has become Rodgers' favorite deep threat.
- Ticket Strategy: If you’re heading to the Steelers-Texans game, expect ticket prices to surge. The "Kings of the North" energy in Pittsburgh is at an all-time high.
- Draft Watch: Baltimore will likely look at secondary depth and kicking competition in the upcoming draft. While Loop was solid for most of the year, a miss of that magnitude often leads to "camp competition" the following summer.
The rivalry remains the most physical in football, and this latest chapter only added to the legend.