The Pittsburgh Steelers are geared up to face the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card round after a thrilling showdown that saw them clock a dramatic win over the Baltimore Ravens in the final game of the NFL regular season. This victory not only marked a crucial moment for the team, but also secured them the AFC North title, which they claimed with a final score of 26-24.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers made a pivotal play by throwing a go-ahead touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with a mere 55 seconds remaining on the clock. This last-minute drive silenced the Ravens’ hopes as Baltimore’s Tyler Loop missed a critical 44-yard field goal attempt as time expired, putting a nail in the coffin for their season and allowing the Steelers to celebrate a significant triumph on the field.
With a record of 10-7, the Steelers will host the Texans, who finished the regular season at 12-5, in a highly anticipated opening playoff game scheduled for January 13. The final quarter of the regular-season match showcased electric football, featuring a staggering four lead changes, three of which occurred in the last four minutes alone. This volatility kept fans on the edge of their seats and highlighted the intense rivalry between these two teams.
The Ravens had made a valiant effort to reclaim the lead, notably when quarterback Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely for a substantial 28-yard gain. This momentum placed the Ravens within Loop’s kicking range. However, in a cruel twist of fate, the rookie kicker’s attempt never truly materialized, veering far to the right of the goalposts—allowing the Steelers to pour onto the field and celebrate their first division title in five years with exuberance.
During the game, Rodgers demonstrated his veteran prowess by passing for a season-high of 294 yards. His crucial 26-yard toss to Austin put them in the lead at 26-24. Notably, the extra point attempted by Chris Boswell fell short, missing his first extra point of the season after a string of 40 successful attempts, which inadvertently opened the door for the Ravens to potentially steal the game.
Jackson, despite battling through a painful back contusion, had an impressive performance, throwing for 238 yards and three touchdown passes. His scoring strikes included two impressive touchdowns to Zay Flowers in the fourth quarter—both from deep distances of 50 and 64 yards—that temporarily pushed Baltimore in front. Yet, each time the Ravens took the lead, the Steelers were quick to respond, demonstrating not only their resilience but also their determination to end a playoff victory drought that has persisted since the 2016 AFC Championship game.
The game saw Pittsburgh’s running back duo of Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren combining for a total of 173 yards, supporting the Steelers’ comeback after an earlier loss against Cleveland. Notably, the Steelers initially trailed by ten points, recalling the painful bludgeoning they suffered at the hands of the Ravens during last season’s playoff encounter. This time, however, Pittsburgh’s defense finally showed up, responding effectively to the relentless offensive plays from Baltimore, particularly those orchestrated by running back Derrick Henry, who ran for 126 yards and reached the milestone of 13,000 career rushing yards.
Highlight moments included Jackson’s first touchdown pass to Flowers, a beautiful display of skill as he evaded two would-be tacklers before delivering a perfectly floated pass. In response, Gainwell surged into the end zone from 2 yards out, regaining the lead for the Steelers—and thus the back-and-forth battle ensued, with neither team willing to back down.
Rodgers, possibly nearing the twilight of his illustrious 21-year career, showed why he still remains a formidable force on the field. He led the Steelers down the field in a crucial drive, culminating in a picturesque 65-yard march that ended with his touchdown toss to an open Austin, a play made possible after a Ravens defender fell in coverage.
Coach Mike Tomlin’s leadership was also on full display, earning his 193rd regular-season victory, which ties him with Hall of Famer Chuck Noll for the franchise record and places him ninth on the all-time NFL career wins list. Each match-up against Ravens coach John Harbaugh has brought its own drama, with this being the 40th encounter between the two, making it one of the most memorable clashes in the storied rivalry.
While the Steelers now look ahead to their game against Houston, questions loom regarding the future of both franchises. With Tomlin, the longest-tenured head coach in major North American professional sports, steering a team that has frequently shown flashes of brilliance but has not always looked like a consistent contender, the real test will unfold in the upcoming playoff matchup next week. How Pittsburgh responds on this larger stage will ultimately define their trajectory in the postseason.
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