Aaron Rodgers hit Calvin Austin III with a 26-yard touchdown pass in the final minute and Baltimore’s Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard potential game-winning field goal as time expired to give the Steelers a dramatic 26-24 win over the Ravens last night, clinching the AFC North for Pittsburgh and setting them up for a first-round AFC Playoff game next Monday night at Acrisure Stadium. The 10-7 Steelers will host the 12-5 Houston Texans, who have won nine straight games and finished one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South.
The Steelers trailed 10-0 after one quarter and 10-3 at the half after Kenneth Gainwell was stopped on a run from the one-yard line to end the second quarter. They still trailed by four points twice in the fourth quarter before Austin caught his touchdown pass. The Ravens’ Lamar Jackson hit Devontez Walker for a 38-yard touchdown pass and he also hooked up with Zay Flowers behind the Steelers secondary for touchdown passes of 50 and 64 yards.
Coach Mike Tomlin says the Steelers battled for the win.
Tomlin says the win last night was just one step toward the Steelers’ ultimate goal.
Rodgers completed 31 of 47 passes for 294 yards and a touchdown, and he overcame some ragged play in the second quarter. Tomlin was grateful for the leadership of his veteran quarterback.
TJ Watt returned to the Steelers lineup and intercepted a pass off a tip by Alex Highsmith. He says the team doesn’t take winning for granted.
Cam Heyward led a Steelers defensive line that battled all night, and he even got an assist for pushing his brother Connor into the end zone for a “tush push” touchdown. He says the season has had its ups and downs.
Rodgers says the win gives the Steelers the confidence they will need to take on the Texans.
The NFL playoff field is set. On Saturday, the Rams will play the Panthers and the Bears will host the Packers. On Sunday, the Bills will visit the Jaguars in the first game, the 49ers will travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles, and the Patriots will host the Chargers. The Steelers and Texans will wrap up the Wild Card Round.
Today is Black Monday, when NFL head coaches traditionally get fired. The Falcons got things started by letting go coach Raheem Morris yesterday.
This season’s outcome is still undecided but we already have the opening chapter in next season’s Steelers story. The NFL has released the list of home and away opponents for the 2026 season. In addition to their AFC North opponents, the Steelers will play Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Carolina at home, and New England, Jacksonville, Tennessee, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Philadelphia on the road.
