Pennsylvania (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Pittsburgh Steelers beat Ravens 26-24, securing the AFC North title, while Baltimore misses playoffs on a last-second missed field goal.
As reported by Reuters, Aaron Rodgers’ 26-yard touchdown to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds remaining gave the Pittsburgh Steelers a 26-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, January 4, securing the AFC North title and the conference’s No. 4 playoff spot.
How did the Steelers defeat the Baltimore Ravens 26-24?
The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) are ready to face Houston (12-5) in the opening round of the playoffs on January 13, following a fourth quarter that featured four lead changes, including three in the final four minutes.
“With these fans and this organization and (coach Mike Tomlin) and the leadership that we’ve got with these guys. We found that little bit of something special — which is belief — tonight on the offensive side,”
Aaron Rodgers said.
He added,
“I’m proud of our guys and the way we responded in the fourth quarter.”
The Ravens (8-9) fell short in the winner-take-all matchup, which featured five lead changes, including four in the fourth quarter, ending their postseason hopes for the first time since 2021.
Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal to the right as time expired, ending the Ravens’ chance at a potential game-winning score.
Earlier in the game, Steelers’ Chris Boswell missed his first extra point attempt of the season in 43 tries, following Calvin Austin III’s touchdown.
After the kickoff, the Ravens returned to their 47-yard line and extended their season with a 26-yard pass from Lamar Jackson to Isaiah Likely on fourth-and-7 from midfield.
Jackson, who missed Green Bay’s Week 17 win with a back contusion, completed 11 of 18 passes for 238 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, including scoring connections of 50 and 64 yards to Zay Flowers in the final 8:42.
The 64-yard touchdown pass followed a 2-yard scoring run from Pittsburgh’s Kenneth Gainwell, giving the Steelers a 20-17 lead with 3:49 remaining.
Rodgers threw 31 of 47 passes for 294 yards and one touchdown. Jaylen Warren ran for 66 yards on 14 carries, Connor Heyward scored on a 1-yard run, and Kenneth Gainwell caught eight passes for 64 yards as Pittsburgh’s top receiver.
For the Ravens, Derrick Henry carried 20 times for 126 yards, while Zay Flowers recorded four catches for 138 yards.
The Steelers entered the fourth quarter with a 13-10 lead after a 10-0 third-quarter run, and held the Ravens to just 18 total yards.
With 4:28 remaining in the third, Boswell kicked a 25-yard field goal to put the Steelers ahead. Pittsburgh later benefited from a deflection interception by linebacker T.J. Watt, who returned after recovering from lung surgery last month.
Jackson threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Flowers with 8:42 left, giving Baltimore a 17-13 lead. Kyle Hamilton left the game in the third quarter with a concussion. At halftime, Baltimore led 10-3 after outgaining Pittsburgh 165-138.
The Ravens scored on their opening possession, covering 85 yards in eight plays over 4:06, capped by a 38-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Devontez Walker. With 13:33 left in the second quarter, Loop kicked a 40-yard field goal to extend the Ravens’ lead to 10-0.
The Steelers responded with a 57-yard field goal by Boswell on their next possession.
Pittsburgh’s offense took over at its own 9-yard line with 3:09 left in the second quarter.
A pair of third-down conversions, highlighted by Rodgers’ 20-yard rush, carried the Steelers to Baltimore’s 1-yard line with two seconds remaining before halftime.
The Steelers opted to go for a touchdown rather than a short field goal, but the Ravens’ defense stopped Gainwell on an outside pitch for a one-yard loss.
What are the Steelers vs Ravens game stats?
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Passing: Aaron Rodgers – 31/47, 294 yards, 1 TD
- Rushing: Jaylen Warren – 14 carries, 66 yards
- Receiving: Kenneth Gainwell – 8 catches, 64 yards
Baltimore Ravens
- Passing: Lamar Jackson – 11/18, 238 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
- Rushing: Derrick Henry – 20 carries, 126 yards
- Receiving: Zay Flowers – 4 catches, 138 yards, 2 TDs
Who will the Steelers and Ravens face in their upcoming matches?
The AFC Wild Card Weekend finale will feature the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) hosting the Houston Texans (12-5), the fourth- and fifth-seeded teams, respectively.
- Opponent: Houston Texans
- Round: AFC Wild Card
- Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Ravens closed the season at 8-9, were eliminated from postseason play, and will face opponents from the AFC North, AFC South, and NFC South in 2026.
