Background and Relevance
The Pittsburgh Steelers secured the AFC North title and a playoff berth with their dramatic 26-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. This win ensures that Pittsburgh will host a wildcard game, while the Ravens’ playoff hopes are dashed despite nearly qualifying after an initial 1-5 start.
Steelers’ Recent Surge
Over the past month, Pittsburgh has been on a roll. With Sunday’s victory, they have won four of their last five games. The Steelers took full control in the second half, achieving a first down on their own territory after halftime.
Ravens’ Near Miss
Baltimore squandered the opportunity for glory at home and the lead they had before hosting the Steelers. Coming off seven wins in their last ten games, the Ravens were led by two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, who missed the previous week’s game due to a back injury. Despite battling against his counterpart, Jackson nearly secured a victory.
Playoff Implications
The Ravens needed a win against the Steelers to secure their playoff spot and claim the AFC North for the third consecutive year. However, this marks their second consecutive playoff miss, with the last one occurring in 2021. The Ravens held a 10-3 halftime lead over the Steelers, scoring first with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Devontae Walker on fourth and three. They extended their lead to 10-0 in the second quarter with a 40-yard field goal by Tyler Hensley.
Steelers’ Playoff Bound
With the victory, Pittsburgh (10-7) will now host the Houston Texans in the AFC wildcard round on Monday night. Under head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers (10-7) are set for their third consecutive playoff appearance following an irregular 2025 regular season.
Wildcard Round Matchups
- 10th January: RAMS vs PANTHERS at 3:30 PM
PACKERS vs BEARS at 7:00 PM - 11th January: BILLS vs JAGUARS at 12:00 PM
49ERS vs EAGLES at 3:30 PM - 12th January: TEXANS vs STEELERS at 7:00 PM
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the Steelers and Ravens? The Steelers and Ravens are NFL teams competing in the AFC North division. Pittsburgh secured the division title with their victory, while Baltimore missed out on the playoffs despite nearly qualifying.
- What was the significance of this game? This game determined the AFC North champion and playoff seeding. The Steelers’ win secured their spot in the playoffs as the division winner, while the Ravens’ loss ended their playoff hopes.
- What are the wildcard round matchups? The wildcard round features the following matchups: RAMS vs PANTHERS, PACKERS vs BEARS, BILLS vs JAGUARS, 49ERS vs EAGLES, and TEXANS vs STEELERS.
