The Pittsburgh Steelers edged the Baltimore Ravens 27-22 to move into first place in the AFC North at 7-6, a win built on a big day from Aaron Rodgers and a late replay reversal that preserved the victory. This result puts Pittsburgh ahead in a chaotic division race but leaves lingering questions about the roster’s postseason ceiling.
Pittsburgh’s offense found life through Aaron Rodgers, who completed 23 of 34 passes for 284 yards with a passing touchdown and also scored on the ground, delivering perhaps his best performance in a Steelers uniform and steadying the attack when it mattered most. DK Metcalf was Rodgers’ primary target, finishing with seven catches for 148 yards, stretching the Ravens’ defense and creating space for the run game.
The running and receiving complements mattered: Jaylen Warren chipped in with a 38-yard touchdown catch-and-run, and Kenneth Gainwell provided short-yardage balance that kept drives alive throughout the afternoon. Pittsburgh’s scoring came in phases, a 17-9 halftime edge and a 27-16 lead after three quarters, before Baltimore mounted a late push that was ultimately undone by an overturned touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.
Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson still made plays, finishing 19 of 35 for 219 yards with a passing touchdown, an interception and a rushing score, but the Ravens couldn’t convert a late opportunity when Isaiah Likely’s apparent go-ahead grab was ruled incomplete on review, sealing the Steelers’ escape in Baltimore. Pittsburgh’s defense also made a crucial final play when Alex Highsmith sacked Jackson on the game’s final snap, preserving the win.
This victory moves the Steelers to 7-6 and into sole possession of first place in the AFC North, a position that masks how up-and-down this team has been all season. Pittsburgh has alternated flashes of competence with puzzling lapses, big wins followed by uninspired losses, and that inconsistency has defined their 2025 campaign so far.
Looking ahead, the Steelers return home for a nationally televised Monday Night Football showdown against the Miami Dolphins next week, a matchup that will test Pittsburgh’s ability to sustain momentum against a high-powered offense under the lights. That game looms large for playoff positioning and for the team’s confidence as the stretch run begins.
Sportsvival still believes this is not a quality playoff team; getting out of the first round looks insurmountable unless Pittsburgh tightens up defensively and finds more consistent offensive balance. The record and division lead are real, but the underlying inconsistencies suggest the Steelers will need more than grit to make a deep postseason run.
(Photo courtesy of Steelers.com)