In a thrilling regular-season finale, the Pittsburgh Steelers secured the final AFC playoff spot by defeating the Baltimore Ravens 26-24. The game was decided in the dying seconds when Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal attempt as time expired, handing the Steelers the AFC North title.
Key Takeaways
- Steelers beat Ravens 26-24 to clinch AFC North title and final playoff place.
- Aaron Rodgers threw the go-ahead touchdown pass with under a minute remaining.
- Tyler Loop’s missed field goal sealed the Ravens’ fate.
- Pittsburgh will host Houston in the opening round of the playoffs.
A Nail-Biting Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring four lead changes, three of which occurred in the final four minutes. The Steelers, trailing by 10 points early on, showed resilience. Aaron Rodgers, who passed for a season-high 294 yards, connected with Calvin Austin III for the decisive touchdown with just 55 seconds left on the clock. This score put Pittsburgh ahead 26-24, though Chris Boswell’s subsequent missed extra point left the door ajar for the Ravens.
Ravens’ Late Push Falls Short
Baltimore, despite playing with Lamar Jackson managing a back contusion, fought back valiantly. Jackson threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns, including two crucial fourth-quarter scores to Zay Flowers. A 28-yard completion to Isaiah Likely put the Ravens within field goal range for Tyler Loop. However, Loop’s attempt sailed wide right, ending Baltimore’s season and igniting celebrations on the Steelers’ sideline.
Playoff Bound Steelers
The Steelers, now 10-7 on the season, will host the Houston Texans on January 13 in the opening round of the playoffs. This victory marks their first division title in five years and sets them up to try and end a playoff victory drought dating back to the 2016 AFC championship game. The win also tied Steelers coach Mike Tomlin with Chuck Noll for the franchise record in regular-season victories.
Statistical Leaders
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
Derrick Henry had a strong performance for the Ravens, rushing for 126 yards and surpassing 13,000 career rushing yards. However, the Steelers’ defense tightened up in the second half, contributing to the dramatic shift in momentum. The game was a memorable contest between Tomlin and Ravens coach John Harbaugh, adding another chapter to their storied rivalry.