Ravens vs Steelers: How Pittsburgh Stole the AFC North in a 26-24 Thriller
Introduction
What Happened in the Ravens vs Steelers Game?
Here’s the thing about this rivalry—it never plays out the way you expect. And this Ravens vs Steelers game recap is proof that the football gods have a twisted sense of humor.
The Ravens jumped out to a 10-0 lead. Lamar Jackson looked sharp. Derrick Henry was bulldozing defenders. Baltimore’s defense was suffocating. For about 25 minutes, it looked like the Ravens would cruise.
Then the Steelers woke up.
Pittsburgh clawed back to 13-10 by the end of the third quarter. Then the fourth quarter turned into a heavyweight boxing match. Four touchdowns. Two lead changes in the final three minutes. One blocked extra point. And a game-winning field goal attempt that sailed wide right.
Key Takeaway:
- The Ravens led 10-0 in the first half before Pittsburgh rallied.
- The fourth quarter featured four touchdowns and two lead changes.
- A blocked PAT by Kevon Johnson on Chris Boswell’s kick kept the Ravens within two points.
The Steelers won because they made one more play when it mattered most.
Ravens vs Steelers Final Score and Box Score Breakdown
Let’s get into the numbers, because the Ravens vs Steelers box score tells a story of two teams that couldn’t have played more differently.
Team Statistics Comparison
| Stat | Ravens | Steelers |
| Total Yards | 359 | 390 |
| Passing Yards | 222 | 290 |
| Rushing Yards | 137 | 100 |
| First Downs | 12 | 24 |
| Time of Possession | 11:49 PM | 11:11 PM |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Penalties | 9 for 78 | 5 for 45 |
| 3rd Down Efficiency | 4-12 | 9-16 |
Look at that time of possession. Pittsburgh held the ball for 34 minutes and 11 seconds. The Ravens barely had it for 25 minutes. When your defense is on the field that long, something eventually breaks.
The Ravens were more explosive—7.5 yards per play compared to Pittsburgh’s 5.3. But explosive doesn’t win games when you can’t sustain drives. Baltimore converted just 4 of 12 third downs. Pittsburgh converted 9 of 16.
Key Takeaway:
- Pittsburgh dominated time of possession (34:11 to 25:49).
- The Ravens were more explosive but less efficient on third down.
- Zero turnovers for Pittsburgh were the difference.
The box score reveals a Steelers team that controlled the game’s tempo from the second quarter onward.
How Did the Scoring Unfold? A Quarter-by-Quarter Recap
First Quarter: Ravens Strike First
The Ravens came out swinging. Devontez Walker hauled in a 38-yard touchdown from Lamar Jackson at the 10:54 mark to put Baltimore up 7-0. The drive went 85 yards in 8 plays, chewing up over four minutes.
Second Quarter: Field Goals and Missed Opportunities
Tyler Loop drilled a 40-yard field goal early in the second to extend the lead to 10-0. But the Ravens left points on the board. A Tyler Linderbaum holding penalty wiped out a 20-yard Jackson touchdown run. Then Ronnie Stanley batted a deflected pass that turned into an interception, leading to a 57-yard Chris Boswell field goal for Pittsburgh.
Halftime: Ravens 10, Steelers 3.
Third Quarter: Pittsburgh Takes Control
The Steelers came out of the locker room with purpose. Connor Heyward punched in a 1-yard touchdown to tie the game at 10-10. Then Boswell added a 25-yard field goal to give Pittsburgh its first lead, 13-10, heading into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Absolute Chaos
This is where the game became legendary.
Trailing 13-10, Lamar Jackson shrugged off two defenders on third down and launched a 50-yard bomb to Zay Flowers for a touchdown. Ravens 17, Steelers 13.
Pittsburgh answered. Kenneth Gainwell scored on a 2-yard run to put the Steelers back on top, 20-17.
Then Jackson found Flowers again—this time for 64 yards. Ravens 24, Steelers 20 with 2:20 left.
Rodgers wasn’t done. He drove Pittsburgh down the field and found Calvin Austin III on a 26-yard stutter-and-go for the go-ahead score. Chidobe Awuzie slipped in coverage. Austin walked into the end zone. Steelers 26, Ravens 24.
Chris Boswell’s extra point was blocked by Kevon Johnson. The Ravens had life.
Baltimore drove to the Pittsburgh 24. A 26-yard completion to Isaiah Likely on fourth-and-7 kept hope alive. With 2 seconds left, Tyler Loop lined up for a 44-yard field goal to win the game and the division.
He pushed it wide right.
Game over.
Key Takeaway:
- Four touchdowns were scored in the fourth quarter alone.
- Zay Flowers had two massive touchdown catches (50 and 64 yards).
- Tyler Loop’s 44-yard miss as time expired ended Baltimore’s season.
The fourth quarter of this Ravens vs Steelers matchup was one of the wildest 15 minutes of the 2025 NFL season.
Ravens vs Steelers Team Stats: Where the Game Was Won
Let’s dig deeper into the Ravens Steelers team stats, because the final score doesn’t capture how thoroughly Pittsburgh controlled the middle of this game.
Passing: Efficiency Over Explosiveness
Lamar Jackson finished 11-of-18 for 238 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. His passer rating was 121.5. That’s elite efficiency.
Aaron Rodgers? He was 31-of-47 for 294 yards and 1 touchdown. No interceptions. A passer rating of 90.2.
Here’s the difference: Jackson averaged 13.2 yards per attempt. Rodgers averaged 6.3. But Rodgers completed 66% of his passes and kept the chains moving. He converted 9 third downs. That’s how you win a game when you don’t have the explosive plays.
Rushing: Henry Dominated, But It Didn’t Matter
Derrick Henry was a beast. 126 yards on 20 carries—6.3 yards per attempt. He even joined Barry Sanders as the only player with 1,500+ rushing yards in five different seasons.
But here’s the problem: the Ravens abandoned the run in the second half. Henry had just 4 carries in the fourth quarter. When you’re averaging 6.3 yards per carry, you should probably keep feeding the big guy.
Pittsburgh’s rushing attack was less explosive—100 yards on 24 carries—but they scored two rushing touchdowns and controlled the clock.
Defense and Turnovers
The Steelers forced one turnover (Jackson’s interception) and sacked Jackson three times. Nick Herbig had a crucial 13-yard sack that killed a Ravens drive.
Baltimore’s defense sacked Rodgers twice but couldn’t force a turnover. When you’re plus-one in turnovers, you usually win. Pittsburgh did exactly that.
Key Takeaway:
- Lamar Jackson was explosive but Rodgers was efficient.
- Derrick Henry dominated but wasn’t used enough late.
- Pittsburgh won the turnover battle and controlled the clock.
The Steelers’ ability to sustain drives and protect the ball was the statistical foundation of their victory.
Key Players and Standout Performances
Zay Flowers: The Ravens’ Explosive Weapon
Zay Flowers was unstoppable. 4 receptions, 138 yards, 2 touchdowns. His 50-yard and 64-yard scores were the kind of plays that make defensive coordinators lose sleep.
Lamar Jackson: Brilliant and Frustrating
Jackson’s stat line was excellent—238 yards, 3 touchdowns, 121.5 passer rating. But the interception and the inability to convert on third down hurt. He was sacked three times and had to constantly escape pressure.
Aaron Rodgers: The Veteran Who Wouldn’t Quit
At 42 years old, Aaron Rodgers played one of his grittiest games. He took hits, scrambled, and delivered the game-winning throw to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left. 31 completions on 47 attempts for 294 yards. No turnovers. This is why Pittsburgh signed him.
Tyler Loop: The Heartbreak Kid
Rookie kicker Tyler Loop made a 40-yard field goal early. But his 44-yard miss as time expired will haunt him. The Ravens drafted him in the sixth round. He’ll have to earn his redemption.
Derrick Henry: The Forgotten Weapon
126 rushing yards. 6.3 yards per carry. And only 20 total carries. Henry was effective every time he touched the ball. The Ravens just stopped giving it to him.
Key Takeaway:
- Zay Flowers had a career-defining performance.
- Rodgers out-dueled Jackson in the clutch.
- Loop’s miss will be remembered for years.
The individual performances in this game ranged from spectacular (Flowers) to devastating (Loop).
NFL Playoff Implications: What This Game Meant
This wasn’t just a regular-season finale. This was win-or-go-home football.
Pittsburgh Steelers: AFC North Champions
With the win, Pittsburgh finished 10-7 and claimed the AFC North title for the first time since 2020. They secured the No. 4 seed and hosted the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round.
For Mike Tomlin, this was his eighth division title as Steelers head coach. He also tied Chuck Noll for most regular-season wins in franchise history with 193.
Baltimore Ravens: A Season of What-Ifs
The Ravens finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021. This was a team that entered the season as a Super Bowl favorite. Instead, they’ll be watching the postseason from their couches.
The loss prompted questions about the future of head coach John Harbaugh, who reportedly parted ways with the team shortly after the season ended.
Key Takeaway:
- Pittsburgh won the AFC North and a playoff berth.
- Baltimore missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
- The loss had major implications for the Ravens’ coaching staff.
This Ravens vs Steelers match result reshaped the AFC playoff picture and potentially the future of both franchises.
FAQs About the Ravens vs Steelers January 4, 2026 Game
Question: What was the final score of the Ravens vs Steelers game on January 4, 2026?
Answer: The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 at Acrisure Stadium. Aaron Rodgers threw a late touchdown to Calvin Austin III, and Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired. Pittsburgh won the AFC North and a playoff berth.
Question: Who won the AFC North after this game?
Answer: The Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC North with a 10-7 record. It was their first division title since 2020 and Mike Tomlin’s eighth as head coach. They entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed and hosted the Houston Texans.
Question: How many yards did Lamar Jackson throw for?
Answer: Lamar Jackson threw for 238 yards on 11-of-18 passes with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. His passer rating was 121.5. He also added 9 rushing yards on 4 carries.
Question: What happened to Tyler Loop at the end of the game?
Answer: Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired that would have won the game and the AFC North for Baltimore. The kick sailed wide right, ending the Ravens’ season.
Question: Did the Ravens make the playoffs in 2026?
Answer: No. The Baltimore Ravens finished the 2025 season with an 8-9 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021. They also failed to win the AFC North for the first time in three seasons.
Conclusion
Some losses you shake off. Others define you. The Ravens vs Steelers game on January 4, 2026, falls firmly into the second category.
Baltimore had it. A 10-0 lead. Explosive plays from Jackson and Flowers. A defense that held Pittsburgh to 3 points in the first half. But football is a 60-minute game, and the Ravens only showed up for about 45 of them.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, showed exactly why you never count out a team led by Aaron Rodgers and coached by Mike Tomlin. They controlled the clock, protected the ball, and made the plays that mattered when the game was on the line.
References
- ESPN. “Steelers 26-24 Ravens (Jan 4, 2026) Final Score.” ESPN.com, January 5, 2026.
- Baltimore Ravens. “Game Recap: Ravens Finish Season With Gut-Wrenching Loss to Steelers.” BaltimoreRavens.com, January 4, 2026.
- Pittsburgh Steelers. “Steelers defeat Ravens, 26-24; Win AFC North.” Steelers.com, January 4, 2026.
- Pro-Football-Reference.com. “Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers – January 4th, 2026.” Pro-Football-Reference.com, March 18, 2026.
- NFL.com. “Steelers win AFC North title, will host Texans in wild card on Monday.” NFL.com, January 4, 2026.
- Associated Press. “Season of the kicker unravels with missed field goal sending Ravens home and Steelers to playoffs.” APNews.com, January 6, 2026.
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