Steelers Clinch AFC North After Ravens Miss Game-Winning Field Goal 🏈

January 05, 2026
Image Source :: Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images

There are games you watch for stats. There are games you watch for drama. Then there are games like this: a division championship boiled down to a single swing of the leg.

The Pittsburgh Steelers capped the 2025 regular season with a 26–24 win over the Baltimore Ravens that didn’t just earn a victory — it changed playoff landscapes. The AFC North trophy now sits in Pittsburgh for the first time since 2020, and the Steelers are headed to the NFL playoffs. The Ravens, once Super Bowl favorites, are watching the postseason from home. NFL.com

This isn’t just another Steelers vs. Ravens rivalry game. It’s a chapter, maybe a turning point, in one of the NFL’s most intense divisional races.

The Game That Defined a Season

Steelers and Ravens games are always tense. Historically, these matchups brim with physical defense, explosive plays, and an edge that feels personal. But this one — Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season — was historic.

On Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium, the final game of the regular season came down to a single play: Ravens kicker Tyler Loop’s 44-yard attempt to win it as time expired. He missed it wide right — heartbreak for Baltimore, euphoria for Pittsburgh. Sky Sports

Let’s unpack what happened.

First Half: Ravens Take Control

The Ravens didn’t play like a team on the brink of elimination. From the jump, they struck first. Quarterback Lamar Jackson carved up the Steelers defense with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Devontez Walker, giving Baltimore an early 7-0 lead. They added a 40-yard field goal to make it 10-0 before Pittsburgh stirred. Baltimore Ravens

Meanwhile, the Steelers responded with field goals, slowly clawing back into the game. It was clear early that this wouldn’t be a defensive slog — both offenses were finding their rhythm, and by halftime the tone had shifted. Pittsburgh Steelers

Second Half: Steel Curtain Meets Ravens Fight

The second half was all about adjustment and momentum swings.

Pittsburgh’s offense, led by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, began tightening its screws. Rodgers — in his first season with the Steelers — looked cool under pressure, even navigating around a missed extra point by Steelers kicker Chris Boswell. Pittsburgh Steelers

On the other side, Jackson wasn’t done. He and star wideout Zay Flowers connected on two big touchdown plays, including a 64-yard strike that momentarily put Baltimore ahead. For a while it seemed like the Ravens might grab the lead and run with it. Baltimore Ravens

But Rodgers and Pittsburgh had other ideas.

The 4th Quarter Explosion

Football fans watching knew the drama was coming. There were four lead changes in the final 15 minutes. That’s not often in the NFL, especially with playoff implications on the line. But this game had momentum swings big enough to shake seats and futures.

With just under a minute left, Rodgers delivered. A 26-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III gave the Steelers a 26-24 edge with 55 seconds to play. It wasn’t pretty — Boswell had missed an extra point — but it was enough. Sportsnet.ca

Then, all eyes shifted to the Ravens’ sideline.

Tyler Loop, The Kick, and the Silence

Rookie kicker Tyler Loop, thrust into circumstances no young player wants, lined up with his team’s season on the line. A 44-yard field goal looked within his range. But as time expired, the kick went wide right — and the Steelers’ celebration began. Sportsnet.ca

Loop’s miss didn’t just lose a game; it denied the Ravens the AFC North crown and a playoff berth. That one moment will be talked about for years — a bittersweet reality in a league where seasons can hinge on inches of ball placement and the arch of a spiraling attempt.

Steelers Win, But Challenges Remain

This 10-7 season wasn’t linear for the Steelers. They ripped off a hot start, struggled through the middle, and then found momentum again late. Now, they’re AFC North champions and in the postseason for the third straight year. NFL.com

But history looms. Pittsburgh’s last playoff win was in 2016. They’ve stumbled in four straight postseason games since then. So yes, they’re in — but now comes the harder part: proving they belong among the league’s best.

Come Monday night in the Wild Card round, they’ll host the Houston Texans, who earned the No. 5 seed. That’s a tough draw, and expectations are high for a competitive showdown.

What This Loss Means for the Ravens

The Ravens entered the season with Super Bowl hopes. Instead, they’ll pack up their pads early. An 8-9 record and no postseason feels like an upset — one made sharper by its finish. Baltimore Ravens

For Baltimore, the season became a story of inconsistency. Big plays came in spurts, but close games didn’t always go their way. Jackson showed flashes of elite play, but the defense had lapses, and injuries tested depth. Ultimately, this game summed up a season of potential unfulfilled. 98.1 The Sports Animal

Now the Ravens face a long offseason of questions — about coaching, roster moves, and how to return to contender status.

Steelers Score: What Fans Should Know

Here’s the key stat line from Steelers vs. Ravens:

  • Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 26, Baltimore Ravens 24

  • Steelers Record: 10–7

  • Ravens Record: 8–9

  • Deciding Play: Tyler Loop 44-yard FG attempt missed as time expired Sportsnet.ca

  • Big Playmaker for Pittsburgh: Rodgers to Calvin Austin III in clutch fourth quarter Sky Sports

This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. One that lifts the Steelers up and shifts the outlook of the AFC North.

Looking Ahead: Steelers Playoffs, Ravens Offseason

New playoff matchups always bring new storylines. For the Steelers, hosting the Texans next isn’t just about home field advantage — it’s about momentum. After a roller-coaster season with clutch late-game resilience, Pittsburgh arrives in the postseason battle-tested.

The Ravens, meanwhile, have decisions to make. How do they bounce back after a disappointing finish? Is Lamar Jackson the centerpiece of their future? Will the coaching staff adjust schemes after falling short in critical moments?

Both cities — Pittsburgh and Baltimore — have passionate fanbases. Tonight, the mood in Pittsburgh is one of excitement and hope. In Baltimore, the silence is thick with “what ifs.”

FAQ — Your Steelers Questions Answered

Q: Who won the Steelers game and did the Steelers win today?
A: The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 26–24, clinching the AFC North title. Sportsnet.ca

Q: What was the Steelers score against the Ravens?
A: The official Steelers score was 26, with Baltimore finishing at 24. Sky Sports

Q: What happened with Tyler Loop in the Steelers vs Ravens game?
A: Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard potential game-winning field goal as time expired, sealing Pittsburgh’s division win. Sportsnet.ca

Q: Are the Steelers in the playoffs this season?
A: Yes — the Steelers clinched a playoff berth and will host the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round. NFL.com

Q: Is Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs after losing to the Steelers?
A: No — the Ravens finished with an 8-9 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021. 98.1 The Sports Animal

Q: What significant contributions did Calvin Austin III make?
A: Calvin Austin III caught the go-ahead 26-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers late in the fourth quarter. Sportsnet.ca

Q: Who is the Ravens kicker and what was his role?
A: The Ravens’ rookie kicker was Tyler Loop, whose late missed field goal decided this divisional title game. Sportsnet.ca

Conclusion: A Finish to Remember

Some games are close. Some are thrilling. Few carry the weight of destiny. This Steelers vs. Ravens matchup wasn’t just another late-season contest. It was the moment that decided division pride, playoff fate, and a chapter in a deep rivalry.

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was a victory that swings more than a record — it breathed life into their postseason hopes. For the Baltimore Ravens, it stings as one of the hardest endings possible.

Football, at its best, rewards the daring and punishes the mistakes. Sunday night was a perfect example of that balance — and it left the AFC looking forward, and fans with memories they won’t soon forget.

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Tech D

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