The Pittsburgh Steelers secured their first AFC North division title since 2020 with a dramatic 26-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the Week 18 rematch at Acrisure Stadium—a decisive cap to their season rivalry. A missed field goal by Baltimore's rookie kicker sealed the win after a tense fourth quarter with standout play from quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh (10-7) enters the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, hosting the 12-5 Houston Texans.
The AFC North title came down to the regular-season finale at Acrisure Stadium, the rematch of Pittsburgh's Week 14 win over Baltimore, where the Steelers edged the Ravens 26-24 on Sunday Night Football. Pittsburgh finished 10-7 to top the division, ahead of Baltimore (8-9), Cincinnati (6-11), and Cleveland (5-12). The game stayed tight, with Pittsburgh leading 13-10 early in the fourth before trading scores.
Aaron Rodgers, 42, shone in the clutch, going 11-for-14 for 133 yards and a touchdown in the final quarter—his best of the season. He hit Calvin Austin III for the go-ahead score with a minute left. "He's been a phenomenal leader," defensive end Jack Sawyer said. "The confidence is high right now."
Lamar Jackson answered with two long touchdown passes to Zay Flowers and drove into field-goal range with 55 seconds left. But rookie kicker Tyler Loop's try sailed wide right, dashing Baltimore's playoff hopes. Jackson, shell-shocked, said, "I'm still caught up in what just happened."
The victory capped a rollercoaster season for Pittsburgh, rebounding from a midseason slump despite wide receiver DK Metcalf's suspension (he returns for playoffs). Analysts like Kay Adams see deep playoff potential for Rodgers: "He can go all the way." The Steelers host the Texans on Monday Night Football.
Baltimore's loss fuels questions about Jackson and coach John Harbaugh amid a late collapse. Cleveland fired Kevin Stefanski, while Cincinnati monitors Joe Burrow's health.