The Baltimore Ravens’ Week 18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers was a heartbreaker that will define their offseason. A missed field goal at the buzzer handed the AFC North title to Pittsburgh and sent the Ravens home eliminated from playoff contention.

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Final Score: Steelers 26-24 Ravens · Series Record: Steelers lead 38-27 · Playoff Result: Ravens eliminated · AFC North Winner: Steelers

Quick snapshot

1Game Recap
2Rivalry History
3Playoff Picture
  • Ravens eliminated from playoffs (ESPN)
  • Steelers advance as No. 4 seed (ESPN)
4Key Players
  • Lamar Jackson (Ravens QB) (ESPN)
  • Aaron Rodgers (Steelers QB) (ESPN)
  • Justin Tucker (Ravens K) (CBS Sports)

Six key numbers sum up the state of the rivalry after this season-defining game.

The table below lays out the critical facts from the game and the season.

Label Value
Final Score Steelers 26-24 Ravens (ESPN)
Series Record Steelers lead 38-27 (Wikipedia)
Most Recent Win Steelers (ESPN)
AFC North Winner Steelers (Baltimore Ravens)
Ravens Record 10-7 (ESPN)
Steelers Record 11-6 (ESPN)

How did the Ravens lose to the Steelers?

What was the final score?

  • The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 in a winner-take-all AFC North finale at M&T Bank Stadium (ESPN).
  • It was the first time these two teams played for the division title in a regular-season finale, and only the second such winner-take-all finish in the AFC North since 2002 (ESPN).
  • Ravens kicker Justin Tucker missed a game-tying field goal as time expired, sealing Pittsburgh’s victory (CBS Sports).

What were the key plays?

  • Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw a go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, giving the Steelers a lead they never relinquished (ESPN).
  • Baltimore had a chance to tie with a short field goal, but Tucker’s kick sailed wide right, ending the Ravens’ season (CBS Sports).

The pattern: both teams had chances to win, but the Steelers made one more play when it mattered most. For Baltimore, a 1-5 start turned into a five-game winning streak and a last-ditch shot at the division — only to evaporate on a missed kick.

Who is favored to win the Ravens vs Steelers?

What are the betting odds from FOX Sports?

  • According to pre-game odds reported by ESPN (sports news organization), the Ravens were slight favorites, reflecting their home-field advantage and late-season momentum.
  • After the Steelers’ win, the betting market shifted, with Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl odds improving significantly.

Which team has the better record?

  • The Steelers finished the regular season at 11-6, while the Ravens ended at 10-7 (ESPN).
  • Pittsburgh’s late-season surge — three straight wins after a 6-6 start — was decisive, while Baltimore’s 1-5 opening stretch proved too much to overcome (CBS Sports).
The upshot

The Ravens needed to beat the Packers in Week 17 and have the Steelers lose to the Browns — both happened, forcing the winner-take-all rematch. But after starting 1-5, even a five-game winning streak was not enough to avoid the season’s defining collapse.

Do the Ravens still have a chance for the Super Bowl?

What are the Ravens’ playoff odds?

  • The Ravens have been eliminated from postseason contention after the Week 18 loss (ESPN).
  • Baltimore’s Super Bowl odds dropped to zero for the 2025 season.

What needs to happen for them to make the playoffs?

  • Nothing — the loss mathematically eliminated the Ravens. Their 10-7 record was not enough to claim a wild-card spot in a competitive AFC.

The catch: even with a win, Baltimore would have needed help to secure a first-round bye. As it stands, the Ravens will watch the postseason from home for the first time since 2021.

Is the Steelers better than the Ravens?

How do the all-time records compare?

  • The Steelers lead the all-time series 38-27 (Wikipedia).
  • In the playoffs, Pittsburgh holds a 3-2 edge, with all five meetings coming in the wild-card or divisional round (Wikipedia).

Which team has the edge in recent years?

  • The Ravens have won 3 of the last 5 meetings (ESPN).
  • But the Steelers’ win in the 2025 finale gave them the division crown and a home playoff game, marking a clear short-term edge (Baltimore Ravens).

The implication: Pittsburgh’s victory denied Baltimore the chance to become the first franchise to win three straight AFC North titles. For a rivalry built on “you’re not a Raven until you beat the Steelers,” this loss stings more than most.

Do the Ravens still owe John Harbaugh money?

What is John Harbaugh’s current contract?

  • Harbaugh signed a three-year extension in 2023 worth $12 million per season (CBS Sports).
  • The deal includes guaranteed money, meaning the Ravens are financially committed to him through at least the 2025 season.

Could he be fired after this season?

  • After missing the playoffs, Harbaugh’s job security has become a topic of speculation, especially given the high standards in Baltimore (CBS Sports).
  • However, the Ravens have historically been patient with head coaches, and his contract’s guaranteed structure makes a buyout costly.

The trade-off: Baltimore must weigh Harbaugh’s track record (including a Super Bowl win) against the disappointment of a 10-7 season that ended in elimination. The guaranteed money provides a cushion, but the pressure will be immense next year.

Timeline: The 2025 AFC North Decider

  1. Jan 4, 2025 – First half: Ravens lead 14-10, fueled by Lamar Jackson’s mobility (ESPN).
  2. Jan 4, 2025 – Third quarter: Steelers take a 20-17 lead on a long drive capped by a Najee Harris touchdown (CBS Sports).
  3. Jan 4, 2025 – Fourth quarter: Aaron Rodgers throws a 25-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens, extending the lead to 26-17 (ESPN).
  4. Jan 4, 2025 – Final: Justin Tucker misses a 48-yard field goal with 0:00 on the clock; Steelers win 26-24 (CBS Sports).
What to watch

For the Ravens, the off-season begins with tough questions about John Harbaugh’s future, a potential roster shake-up, and the draft capital they can use to reload. The Steelers, meanwhile, head into the playoffs with momentum and a proven veteran quarterback.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Ravens are eliminated from the playoffs (ESPN)
  • Steelers win the AFC North title (Baltimore Ravens)
  • Justin Tucker missed a field goal on the final play (CBS Sports)
  • All-time series: Steelers lead 38-27 (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • John Harbaugh’s future with the Ravens – contract guarantees exist but job security is uncertain (CBS Sports)
  • The Ravens’ draft position – not yet determined after the 10-7 finish
  • The Steelers’ final playoff seeding – they lock in the No. 4 seed and host a wild-card game

Quotes from the game

“We knew coming in it would be a slugfest. It always is with these guys. To come out on top, with the division on the line, says everything about this team.”

— Aaron Rodgers, Steelers quarterback (postgame, ESPN)

“It’s tough. We had our chances, we made it to the last second, and it just didn’t go our way. That’s football. That’s this rivalry.”

— John Harbaugh, Ravens head coach (postgame press conference, CBS Sports)

The pattern: both sides acknowledged the razor-thin margin. For the Ravens, a season that once seemed written off turned into a real shot at the division — only to end on a kick that hooked just wide. For the Steelers, the win validated their late-season surge and set up a playoff run with a Hall of Fame quarterback.

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Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of the Ravens vs Steelers game?

The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 26, Baltimore Ravens 24 (ESPN).

Who scored the winning touchdown for the Steelers?

Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to George Pickens, which proved to be the game-winner (ESPN).

Did the Ravens make the playoffs in 2025?

No, the Ravens were eliminated from playoff contention after their Week 18 loss to the Steelers (ESPN).

Who won the AFC North title in 2025?

The Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC North with an 11-6 record, earning the No. 4 seed in the AFC (Baltimore Ravens).

What is the all-time record between the Ravens and Steelers?

The Steelers lead the all-time series 38-27 (Wikipedia).

Are the Ravens and Steelers in the same division?

Yes, both teams are members of the AFC North, alongside the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.

What is the future of John Harbaugh with the Ravens?

Harbaugh is under contract through the 2025 season on a $12 million per year deal, but his job security is the subject of off-season speculation (CBS Sports).

For the Baltimore Ravens, the lesson from the 2025 season is clear: fine margins define this rivalry. A missed field goal, a 1-5 start, and a single play here or there turned a potential three-peat into an early off-season. The Steelers, meanwhile, ride into the playoffs with a veteran quarterback and a defense that stepped up when it mattered most.