Breaking: The Steelers just walked into Baltimore and left with the AFC North lead. Pittsburgh beat the Ravens 27-22 in a bruising, tense game that swung on two replay decisions and a quarterback playing through pain. I was on the field as the final seconds bled away, and the Steelers celebrated like a team that believes December belongs to them.
Rodgers guts it out, Steelers take control
Aaron Rodgers played with a soft cast on his broken left wrist. He still threw for 284 yards, hit a dart for a score, and punched in a rushing touchdown. He took hits. He stood tall in the pocket. He moved the chains in the biggest moments.
DK Metcalf bullied the Ravens secondary all night. He finished with 148 yards, most of them in tight coverage and on third down. Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell gave Pittsburgh balance, and Rodgers kept the tempo clean when Baltimore brought pressure. His one-yard keeper in the third quarter felt like a message. The wrist hurts, but the season is alive.
[IMAGE_1]
Two reviews that flipped the night
This rivalry always tests the rule book. It did again. In the second half, a deflection that was ruled an interception on the field was reversed on review. Officials saw the ball touch the turf before control. The Steelers kept the ball and turned the drive into points. That was a momentum swing.
The loudest moment came late. Isaiah Likely caught a would-be touchdown in traffic. After review, the call was overturned. Officials ruled he did not complete the process of the catch in the end zone. Baltimore settled for a field goal, not the lead.
Two replay reversals, one wiping out a Ravens touchdown, defined the fourth quarter and preserved Pittsburgh’s edge.
John Harbaugh challenged and pressed the sideline judge, but the stadium screens told the tale the officiating crew accepted. Mike Tomlin kept his headset on, his offense ready, and trusted his defense to finish. Both coaches will leave with tape to argue. The Steelers will leave with the win.
Stars shine, bodies bruise
Lamar Jackson put Baltimore on his back for stretches. He threw for 219 yards and added a rushing score. Zay Flowers was slippery and fearless, posting 124 yards and turning short throws into chunk gains. The Ravens moved the ball, but the red zone belonged to Pittsburgh when it mattered.
The game was as physical as this rivalry promises. Multiple Steelers left with concussions, including tight end Darnell Washington. The team also monitored an ankle injury for defensive tackle Keanu Benton. The medical staff was busy on both sidelines, and the final series felt like a battle of wills more than a battle of schemes.
[IMAGE_2]
The Steelers are 7-6 and in first place. The Ravens fall to 6-7 and face a steeper climb.
Turning points
- Rodgers keeper for a third quarter touchdown that set the tone.
- Overturned interception that kept a Pittsburgh drive alive.
- Likely’s late end zone grab overturned on review.
- Final defensive stand at midfield as the clock ran out.
What it means now
This was not just a rivalry win. This was a pivot point for the division and for Pittsburgh’s season. The Steelers control their path with four games left. Their defense, while banged up, created enough chaos to keep Lamar from stealing it late. Rodgers, cast and all, gave Tomlin exactly what he needed, calm and answers on third down.
For Baltimore, the loss stings more than the score. The offense produced yards, but finishing drives remains the hurdle. The Ravens are now on the playoff bubble and have little margin for error. They will need cleaner execution in the red zone and more trust in the run game when the field shrinks.
As for Tomlin, the outside noise fades when you win in December in Baltimore. Inside the building, this felt like a validation of the plan. Ride the veteran quarterback, feed the alpha receiver, and lean on a defense that tackles in space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How bad is Aaron Rodgers’ wrist injury?
A: He played with a soft cast on his left wrist and managed the ball well. The team will reassess this week, but his performance suggests the plan remains the same.
Q: What exactly happened on the Isaiah Likely play?
A: He secured the ball, then contact arrived. On review, officials ruled he did not complete the catch in the end zone. The call changed to incomplete.
Q: Who were the top performers?
A: Aaron Rodgers with 284 passing yards, one passing touchdown and a rushing score. DK Metcalf with 148 receiving yards. For Baltimore, Lamar Jackson threw for 219 and Zay Flowers posted 124 receiving yards.
Q: What are the playoff implications?
A: Pittsburgh now leads the AFC North and controls its path. Baltimore, now 6-7, likely needs a strong finish to stay in the race.
Conclusion
Pittsburgh earned this one. A battered quarterback delivered. A wideout took over. A defense got stops when it had to. The officials will be a talking point, but the standings speak louder. On a cold night in Baltimore, the Steelers grabbed the wheel of the AFC North, and they do not plan to let go.
