Rodgers Lifts Steelers to AFC North Title After Ravens’ Late Miss.

The Pittsburgh Steelers clinched the AFC North championship in dramatic fashion Saturday night, edging the Baltimore Ravens 26–24 after Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed a potential game-winning field goal as time expired at Acrisure Stadium. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, playing in his 21st NFL season, delivered his strongest performance of the year by throwing for 294 yards and leading a late fourth-quarter touchdown drive. Rodgers capped the drive with a 26-yard strike to wide receiver Calvin Austin III with just 55 seconds remaining, giving Pittsburgh a lead it would not relinquish. Baltimore still had one final opportunity to respond. Lamar Jackson moved the Ravens into field-goal range with a 28-yard completion to tight end Isaiah Likely. However, Loop’s 44-yard attempt sailed wide right, sealing the victory and sending Steelers players and fans into celebration. Rodgers, signed to a one-year deal to stabilize Pittsburgh’s offense, said wins like this strengthen a team’s confidence. The Steelers finished the regular season 10–7 and earned their first division title since 2020. They will host the Houston Texans in the opening round of the playoffs on Jan. 12. Jackson, who played through a back contusion, threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those scores went to Zay Flowers in the fourth quarter, including long passes of 50 and 64 yards that briefly gave Baltimore the lead. Despite the explosive plays, the Ravens fell to 8–9 and were eliminated from playoff contention.

Baltimore running back Derrick Henry rushed for 126 yards and became the ninth player in NFL history to surpass 13,000 career rushing yards. However, Pittsburgh’s defense tightened in the second half, limiting Baltimore’s ground attack and forcing the game into a late passing duel. Steelers running back Kenny Gainwell scored on a 2-yard run midway through the fourth quarter, and linebacker T.J. Watt returned from injury with an interception. Head coach Mike Tomlin earned his 193rd regular-season win, tying franchise legend Chuck Noll for most in team history. Despite a missed extra point by Chris Boswell that kept the Ravens within striking distance, Pittsburgh held on. Tomlin praised his team’s resilience, noting that the Steelers consistently responded to adversity throughout the season.

Baltimore now faces an uncertain offseason, while Pittsburgh moves forward with hopes of ending a playoff victory drought that dates back nearly a decade.