The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will clash on Sunday night for the AFC North division crown, marking the 40th meeting between coaches John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin. Both teams have shown inconsistency this season but enter the finale with playoff implications hanging in the balance. A win sends the victor to the postseason, while the loser faces an uncertain offseason.
PITTSBURGH -- The AFC North title is on the line as the 8-8 Baltimore Ravens face the 9-7 Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday night. This rivalry game, the 40th between head coaches Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh, carries extra weight, with speculation that it could be their final matchup given their long tenures.
The Steelers, under Tomlin in his 19th season, have endured fan frustration earlier this year but rebounded with three straight wins before a sloppy loss to Cleveland last week. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been steady, throwing 23 touchdowns against seven interceptions, including a strong performance against Baltimore four weeks ago where he passed for 284 yards and rushed for a score. However, the team will miss suspended wide receiver DK Metcalf for the second game of his ban. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who has 17 of his 115 career sacks against the Ravens, is expected to return after missing three games due to a partially collapsed lung.
The Ravens started 1-5 amid injuries but rallied to briefly share the division lead before recent stumbles. Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, returns from a back injury that sidelined him last week, where Derrick Henry ran for 216 yards and four touchdowns on a career-high 36 carries. Henry leads the NFL with 1,469 rushing yards this season. Baltimore aims to become the first team to win three straight AFC North titles since the division's inception in 2002.
Both coaches acknowledge the stakes. "The winner goes on," Tomlin said simply. Harbaugh called it "a big deal, but it’s a game." Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward noted both teams' flaws but emphasized playing their best late. A Ravens victory would extend Harbaugh's 18-year run; a loss might fuel questions about his future with Jackson.
This matchup could reshape offseason narratives for two storied franchises, with Pittsburgh seeking its first division title since 2020 and first playoff win since 2016.
