It’s the kind of drama NFL fans crave: with the regular season winding down, the AFC North crown and a playoff berth are both up for grabs in a winner-take-all showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thanks to a wild Week 17, the stakes for this storied rivalry have never been higher. For the first time ever, these two teams will meet in the final week of the season with everything on the line.
Let’s rewind to how we got here. On Saturday, December 27, 2025, the Ravens did their part by notching a dominant 41-24 win over the Green Bay Packers. But their postseason fate wasn’t entirely in their hands. Baltimore, who had started the season 1-5 and clawed their way back into contention, needed help from an unlikely source: their rivals, the Cleveland Browns.
On Sunday, December 28, the Browns delivered in dramatic fashion, stunning the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-6 at Huntington Bank Stadium. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders orchestrated the Browns’ offense, completing 17 of 23 passes for 186 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Sanders’ 28-yard strike to fellow rookie Harold Fannin capped an early drive and gave Cleveland a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, following a booming 50-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt.
The Steelers, led by veteran Aaron Rodgers, struggled to find their rhythm. Rodgers finished 21-of-39 for 168 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions, posting a 64.9 passer rating. Without suspended star wideout DK Metcalf—out for the first of a two-game ban after a fan altercation—the Steelers’ offense sputtered. Replacement receivers Scottie Miller, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Adam Thielen managed just eight catches for 60 yards. Tight end Darnell Washington was also sidelined with a broken arm, further hampering Pittsburgh’s options.
Despite a valiant effort from their defense—holding Cleveland to just 262 total yards and shutting down the Browns on four fourth-quarter possessions—the Steelers couldn’t find the end zone. Chris Boswell’s two field goals (44 and 40 yards) provided the only points for Pittsburgh, who converted just three of 15 third downs and failed on all three fourth-down attempts. The Browns’ defense, ranked second in the NFL heading into the weekend, registered a red zone shutout, holding the Steelers to field goals and keeping them out of the end zone even on a late drive that reached the Cleveland 10 with under a minute to play.
“We certainly didn’t make enough plays today, and they did,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said after the loss. “It’s back to work for us. We’ve been here before. Certainly we’ve got a big week ahead of us and a big game in Acrisure next weekend.” Tomlin acknowledged the impact of Metcalf’s absence but stressed, “We certainly got capable men, and we expect those guys to make necessary plays. We certainly didn’t make enough today.”
For the Ravens, the Browns’ upset was the lifeline they desperately needed. According to The Athletic’s playoff simulator, Baltimore’s postseason odds leapt from a meager 4% to a promising 52% after the events of the weekend. The AFC North, which seemed all but lost just days ago, is now within reach—if Baltimore can finish the job in Pittsburgh.
The magnitude of this Week 18 clash cannot be overstated. Not only is it the first time a playoff spot will be decided between these two rivals in the season’s final week, but it’s also just the second time in division history that the AFC North title has come down to the last game. The only previous instance? The 2014 duel between the Steelers and Bengals.
Emotions are running high in Baltimore. As Zach Canter of Baltimore Beatdown put it, “LIFE! AIR! HOPE! After months of turmoil in the most disappointing regular season in Ravens history, none of it matters. Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, win and in. What more could you ask for at the end of the day than a chance to go to the playoffs at the end of the season?”
Yet, questions swirl around the Ravens’ quarterback situation. Lamar Jackson, the franchise’s dynamic leader, missed the Week 17 win over Green Bay due to a back contusion that kept him out all week. His status for the showdown in Pittsburgh remains uncertain. “Health concerns immediately spring to mind. Will it be Snoop Huntley or will Lamar Jackson return? It’s all on the line,” wrote Mark Myers, highlighting the anxiety gripping Ravens fans.
On the field, the Ravens will need to replicate the dominant rushing attack that overwhelmed the Packers. Derrick Henry, who has been a force down the stretch, could be the key to keeping Baltimore’s offense on track—especially if Jackson can’t go. As Dustin Cox observed, “Even if Jackson returns to the field, the Ravens should continue to ride Derrick Henry after his monster performance against the Packers.”
For the Steelers, the pressure is equally intense. After holding onto the division lead with a three-game win streak, Pittsburgh missed its first halftime lead in seven games and now faces a do-or-die scenario. The absence of DK Metcalf looms large, and the offense will need to find answers quickly if they hope to avoid handing head coach Mike Tomlin his first losing season.
“The world will be watching,” Myers wrote. “The question is: which Ravens team will show up?” It’s a fair question, given Baltimore’s roller-coaster campaign and Pittsburgh’s recent edge in the rivalry. The Steelers already beat the Ravens earlier this month, adding another layer of intrigue to an already electric matchup.
As Frank Platko noted, “A showdown for the division title will mark another chapter in this storied rivalry between two head coaches who may potentially have their jobs on the line.” With both teams’ seasons hanging in the balance, fans can expect a fierce, physical battle from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.
So here we are: Ravens vs. Steelers, Week 18, Acrisure Stadium. Winner takes the AFC North and punches their ticket to the playoffs. The loser? Their season is over. With uncertainty swirling around key players and playoff dreams on the line, the stage is set for one of the most consequential games in the history of this rivalry.
All eyes will be on Pittsburgh next weekend, as two proud franchises put everything on the line. One thing’s for sure: it doesn’t get much bigger than this.
