Steelers knock Ravens out of playoffs, clinch AFC North title in dramatic fashion

Aaron Rodgers threw a go-ahead 26-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds remaining as the Pittsburgh Steelers edged the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 on Sunday night, clinching the AFC North title and the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. Pittsburgh finished the regular season 10-7 and will host the fifth-seeded Houston Texans in the wild-card round on January 12 at 8 PM ET.


Rodgers praised the team’s belief and resilience after the game, crediting the offense for responding in the fourth quarter. The victory capped a dramatic, winner-take-all matchup that featured five lead changes, including four in the final quarter. Baltimore dropped to 8-9 and missed the postseason for the first time since 2021.



After Austin’s touchdown, Steelers kicker Chris Boswell missed his first extra point of the season, giving Baltimore one final chance. The Ravens returned the kickoff to midfield and kept hope alive with a 26-yard completion from Lamar Jackson to Isaiah Likely on fourth-and-7. However, kicker Tyler Loop pushed a potential game-winning 44-yard field goal wide right as time expired.


Jackson, returning after missing Week 17 with a back contusion, completed 11 of 18 passes for 238 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He connected twice with Zay Flowers on long scoring plays of 50 and 64 yards late in the game. Flowers finished with four catches for 138 yards, while Derrick Henry rushed for 126 yards on 20 carries.

Rodgers went 31-for-47 for 294 yards and a touchdown. Jaylen Warren ran for 66 yards, Kenneth Gainwell scored a rushing touchdown and led the team with eight catches for 64 yards, and Connor Heyward added a short touchdown run.


Pittsburgh entered the fourth quarter leading 13-10 after dominating the third quarter. A T.J. Watt interception set up a Boswell field goal, and the Steelers limited Baltimore to just 18 yards in the period. Despite late swings from both teams, Pittsburgh made the final play to seal a thrilling division-clinching win.