The NFL doesn’t believe in cliffhangers for the season finale.
While most scripts call for that kind of tactic to keep viewers coming back, the NFL’s reality show certainly tries to provide answers. A season that began in early September featured 272 games over 18 weeks. In total, it took over 16,320 minutes to play the entire regular season.
Of course, it came down to the final minute of Game 272.
The Pittsburgh Steelers prevailed in the winner-take-all AFC North clash, defeating the Baltimore Ravens, 26-24. It was mostly a quiet contest until the final 15 minutes, when both sides began landing haymakers.
There were 27 points scored between the two teams, but it was the four that weren’t that promised to tell the story in the end.
It started with a missed extra point from Chris Boswell, his first of the season. That miss ensured that the Steelers would only hold a two-point edge with 55 seconds left. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens quickly responded, working the ball into field goal range.
In the end, it was rookie kicker Tyler Loop who missed the 44-yard kick wide right, ending Baltimore’s season in crushing.
There was speculation that this could have been Aaron Rodgers’ final game in the NFL, as retirement looms.
Turns out, he’ll have at least one more game in the black-and-gold when the Steelers host the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.
It was a finale filled with chaos, a fitting conclusion to the mayhem that reigned supreme all season long.
Here’s how the action unfolded on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 18.
Steelers vs. Ravens SNF takeaways: Week 18
- The NFL is king: Only the NFL. In a world where sequels and remakes dominate television and movies, the NFL provides some of the best content that anyone could ever ask for. No other league can produce this level of drama every season, especially in the finale. There are so many games, so many twists and turns, yet it always comes down to the last one. With everything on the line, it came down to the final seconds of the final regular-season game. Take a bow.
- Aaron Rodgers isn’t done yet: We knew it was win-and-in for both teams, but we’ll never know if it was lose-and-retire for Rodgers. The four-time NFL MVP now gets a chance to play in the playoffs again. After a couple of rough seasons with the New York Jets, this one with the Steelers is bound to end in much better fashion. Time will tell if there’s another season, but the veteran still has more to say before closing this chapter.
- Pittsburgh keeps finding a way: The Steelers offense isn’t pretty. The Steelers’ defense looked like it forgot how to play at times in Week 18. Rodgers had to use the Steelers’ final timeouts to deal with some bad helmet communication. Boswell missed his first extra point of the season. None of that mattered. They still found a way to win. Now they’ll have a chance to win their first playoff game since 2017.
- Ravens enter offseason with more questions than answers: What does the future hold for John Harbaugh? Lamar Jackson? Questions were swirling before this game. Who knows what they’ll be like when the dust finally settles? Jackson’s contract remains a key talking point and Harbaugh’s inability to get Baltimore over the top will take on a new life this offseason. There appears to be one thing guaranteed for the Ravens – change is coming.
- The Ravens invent new ways to lose: It’s the type of thing you often say about some of the league’s worst teams, but the Ravens are unique. There was Mark Andrews’ famous drop that ended last season. There was the 15-point fourth-quarter blown lead in Week 1. There was the Thanksgiving disaster against the Bengals. Then there was the Loop missed field goal to end the season. Baltimore is no stranger to losing games excruciatingly. Add Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season to the increasingly long list.
NFL playoff schedule: Wild-card games
Jan. 10
- Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX
- Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Jan. 11
- Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX
- Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots, 8 p.m. ET, NBC
Jan. 12
- Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
Who will the Steelers play in playoffs?
Pittsburgh will host the Houston Texans in the wild-card round. The Steelers earned the No. 4 seed and will play the highest-seeded wild-card team – the Texans. The matchup will be on Monday, Jan. 12, at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.
Are the Ravens eliminated from playoff contention?
Baltimore has been eliminated from playoff contention with its loss to the Steelers on Sunday night in Week 18.
Steelers vs. Ravens Week 18 highlights
Steelers vs. Ravens final score: Pittsburgh 26, Baltimore 24
Steelers defeat Ravens on Tyler Loop missed field goal
The Ravens charged down the field to get into field goal range, but the Ravens’ rookie kicker, Tyler Loop, pushed his 44-yard field goal attempt wide right. Pittsburgh wins the game and the AFC North title.
Aaron Rodgers stats vs. Ravens
- 31-of-47 (65.9% completion rate)
- 294 passing yards
- 1 passing touchdown
- 0 interceptions
- 90.2 passer rating
Lamar Jackson stats vs. Steelers
- 11-of-18 (61.1% completion rate)
- 238 passing yards
- 3 passing touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 121.5 passer rating
- 4 rushing attempts, 8 rushing yards
Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Steelers back in front with 55 seconds left
Aaron Rodgers isn’t done yet. A vintage throw from the quarterback to a wide-open Calvin Austin III gives the Steelers the lead right back with 55 seconds to go. However, Boswell missed his first extra point all season and now the Ravens can win it with a field goal. They have all three timeouts and a big return from Keaton Mitchell set Baltimore up at around midfield.
Steelers 26, Ravens 24
Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Baltimore retakes lead with Zay Flowers’ second TD of the game
Football fans are certainly familiar with Zay Flowers. The Steelers, however, must be just finding out who this guy is. For the second time in as many drives, the Ravens take the lead on a Flowers’ touchdown. He got behind the defense and Baltimore marched 73 yards in just 1:29.
Now the Steelers will look to respond with 2:20 to go. Again, they are out of timeouts.
Ravens 24, Steelers 20
Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Kenneth Gainwell scores go-ahead TD with 3:49 to go
The Steelers had to answer and they did. Despite some helmet communication woes, Gainwell punched it into the end zone for the lead. Notably, Pittsburgh is out of timeouts now, adding another layer of intrigue to the final minutes of regulation.
Steelers 20, Ravens 17
Aaron Rodgers contract details, incentives
Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers, which has a base value of $13.65 million, according to Spotrac. He received a $10 million signing bonus and will have a cap hit of $14.15 million in 2025.
Rodgers’ contract can be worth up to $19.5 million in total value thanks to a $5.85 million incentive package tied to the deal. His incentives for the 2025 NFL season are as follows:
- Playoff berth: $500,000
- Wild card win: $600,000
- Divisional win: $750,000
- Conference championship: $1 million
- Super Bowl win: $1.5 million
- League MVP: $1.5 million
Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Zay Flowers TD puts Baltimore back in front
Pittsburgh had two free runners coming for Lamar Jackson. It didn’t matter. The two-time MVP did two-time MVP things and escaped pressure to direct Flowers toward the end zone, where he beat Patrick Queen for the 50-yard touchdown. Baltimore leads by four with 8:42 to go in the regular season.
Ravens 17, Steelers 13
Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Chris Boswell gives Pittsburgh the lead
Just like that, the home team snags the lead for the first time tonight. Boswell’s kick is good from 25 yards and now it’s Baltimore’s turn to come from behind.
Steelers 13, Ravens 10
Who are the Heyward brothers on Pittsburgh Steelers?
Steelers football is a family affair. Cameron and Connor Heyward are the latest brother duo to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cameron has been a mainstay on the defensive line for years, while Connor is part of a deep tight end room.
The Steelers have been no strangers to fielding rosters with brothers over the years. In the past, they had Nate and Nick Herbig, T.J. and Derek Watt, as well as Terrell and Trey Edmunds.
Lamar Jackson deflected pass intercepted by T.J. Watt
If you’re a believer in momentum shifts, then this game is about to change dramatically. Just a few plays after the Steelers tied the game, Jackson attempted a pass that was deflected by Cameron Heyward and eventually intercepted by Watt. It puts Pittsburgh in excellent field position and gives them a chance to take the lead.
Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Connor Heyward ‘tush push’ TD ties the game
After failing to convert on fourth down earlier, the Steelers went right back to Heyward in a big spot in the third quarter. He gets the job done this time and scores the game-tying touchdown after back-to-back pushes from his brother, Cameron.
The Steelers couldn’t convert from the same distance to end the first half, but it’s a brand-new ball game halfway through the third after Boswell knocks through the extra point. The game is tied with 8:22 left in the third quarter.
Steelers 10, Ravens 10
Did Aaron Rodgers get married? Who is his wife?
Rodgers was married during the 2025 offseason. Rodgers’ wife has not publicly appeared with him yet.
Before acknowledging his marriage, Rodgers last mentioned having a significant other during a December 2024 appearance on ’The Pat McAfee Show.’ During the appearance, Rodgers said her name was ‘Brittani,’ clarifying that she spelled it with an ‘I.’
Rodgers has not clarified whether she is the woman he married in 2025.
Kyle Hamilton injury update
Hamilton was on the receiving end of a helmet-to-helmet hit early in the third quarter from teammate Alohi Gilman. The safety remained down after the play and replays showed his head also hit the field as Hamilton fell to the ground.
He walked off the field under his own power.
Steelers vs. Ravens score at halftime: Baltimore 10, Pittsburgh 3
Steelers’ last playoff win
The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since Jan. 15, 2017 when they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in the division round. They have lost six playoff games in a row since that game and two of those losses came at home.
Steelers denied at the goal line before halftime
Baltimore’s Kyle Hamilton was flagged for pass interference with just two seconds left in the opening half. That gave Pittsburgh the ball at the one-yard line. The Steelers went for the game-tying touchdown and instead go into halftime down seven after Kenneth Gainwell was stuffed behind the line on a toss play. It was a curious play design for the Steelers, since it seemed dead from the start. They’ll get the second half kickoff, but have plenty of work to do in the final 30 minutes.
Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Chris Boswell gets Pittsburgh on the board
Pittsburgh’s drive stalled after an off-target throw from Rodgers, but Boswell was able to convert from 57 yards to cut into the Baltimore lead.
Ravens 10, Steelers 3
Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Tyler Loop extends Baltimore’s lead
The rookie kicker knocks it through from 40 yards to give his team a two-score lead early in the second quarter. This drive was set up by the Steelers’ inability to convert on fourth down around midfield. It’s an important upcoming drive for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense. Already down 10-0 and struggling on offense, this game can get away from them quickly.
Ravens 10, Steelers 0
Steelers vs. Ravens score at end of first quarter: Baltimore leads, looking to add
Just like that, 15 minutes have come and gone in Game 272. The Ravens have been the better team by far. They also have the edge on the scoreboard, taking a 7-0 lead into the second. A fourth-down stop by the Ravens’ defense set them up with great field position and they’ll continue the drive at the edge of the red zone when play resumes.
Ravens 7, Steelers 0
Where did Aaron Rodgers go to college?
Rodgers attended Butte Community College for a year in 2002 before playing two seasons at California from 2003-04.
Steelers punt on opening drive
Pittsburgh is still trying to find its footing without Metcalf on offense and that remained the case on the opening drive. It was a quick possession for the home team and Baltimore takes back over inside its own 15.
Why is DK Metcalf suspended?
In this winner-take-all showdown, there is a notable absence for the Steelers – DK Metcalf. The receiver is serving the second and final game of his suspension. The NFL issued the penalty to Metcalf for his involvement in an altercation with a Detroit Lions fan in Week 16. He reached into the stands to strike the fan on the sideline and the league promptly suspended Metcalf for the remainder of the regular season.
Oldest NFL players in 2025
Philip Rivers turned 44 on Dec. 8 and is now the oldest active NFL player. Aaron Rodgers turned 42 on Dec. 6. There are 12 players aged 39 or older playing in the NFL in 2025:
- Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts: 44 years old
- Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: 42 years old
- Nick Folk, K, New York Jets: 41 years old
- Matt Prater, K, Buffalo Bills: 41 years old
- Marcedes Lewis, TE, Denver Broncos: 41 years old
- Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals: 40 years old
- JJ Jansen, LS, Carolina Panthers: 39 years old
- Jon Weeks, LS, San Francisco 49ers: 39 years old
- Morgan Cox, LS, Tennessee Titans: 39 years old
- Thomas Morstead, P, San Francisco 49ers: 39 years old
- Josh Johnson, QB, Washington Commanders: 39 years old
- Calais Campbell, DL, Arizona Cardinals: 39 years old
Steelers vs. Ravens score update: Baltimore strikes first with Devontez Walker TD
It was an eventful opening drive for the visitors. They were called for a holding penalty on the opening kickoff, negating a nice return. They were called for an illegal blindside block on a 47-yard run by Derrick Henry – which was a bad call, according to NBC’s rules analyst, Terry McAulay.
None of that mattered. The Ravens still managed to find the end zone with a 38-yard passing touchdown from Lamar Jackson to Walker on fourth down.
Ravens 7, Steelers 0
What is the temperature in Pittsburgh?
The temperature at tonight’s kickoff was 28 degrees in Pittsburgh.
What TV channel is the Steelers vs. Ravens game?
- TV channel: NBC
Week 18’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ game – the final regular season game of the year – between the Steelers and Ravens will be broadcast by NBC on Jan. 4. Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (game analyst) and Melissa Stark (sideline reporter) will be on the call for the battle for the AFC North.
What time is the Ravens at Steelers game?
- Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET
The Steelers vs. Ravens game will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 4.
Steelers vs. Ravens live stream
- Live stream: Peacock
As with every iteration of ‘Sunday Night Football,’, NBC will simulcast its prime-time offering on Peacock, its proprietary streaming service. Cord-cutters can also watch the game on NFL+, the NFL’s own streaming service.
Catch ‘SNF’ with a Peacock subscription
Steelers vs. Ravems prediction, picks
- Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Ravens, 24-17
- Jarrett Bell: Steelers, 23-20
- Nick Brinkerhoff: Steelers, 23-20
- Chris Bumbaca: Ravens, 21-20
- Nate Davis: Ravens, 23-20
- Tyler Dragon: Ravens, 25-20
Steelers vs. Ravens odds, moneyline, O/U
- Moneyline (ML): Ravens -190 (Bet $190 to win $100) | Steelers +160 (Bet $100 to win $160)
- Against the spread (ATS): Ravens -3.5 (-105) | Steelers +3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Is Lamar Jackson playing tonight vs. Steelers?
Lamar Jackson has had a full week of practice for the first time since November and will play in Sunday night’s AFC North title game in Pittsburgh. He missed Week 17 with a back contusion but is expected to be a full go tonight.
Is T.J. Watt playing tonight vs. Ravens?
The Steelers’ four-time All-Pro linebacker will be back on the field for Pittsburgh tonight against Baltimore. Watt has missed the last two weeks following surgery stemming from a partially collapsed lung on Dec. 10. That lung injury happened during a routine dry needling treatment at a team facility. He was subsequently hospitalized but has made a full recovery.
‘It’ll be great to have him back,’ Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said via the team. ‘What capacity we’ll find out really, not till Sunday. But it’ll be great to have him back… I would think that he’ll only strengthen our group and how we play and all those things.’
Steelers vs. Ravens weather report
The temperature is expected to be 28 degrees around kickoff in Pittsburgh. There is no snow in the forecast and wind gusts will max out at just 5 MPH.
Steelers inactives today vs. Ravens
- WR Roman Wilson
- RB Kaleb Johnson
- CB Tre Flowers
- OLB Jeremiah Moon
- OL Jack Driscoll
- QB Will Howard (emergency third QB)
Ravens inactives today vs. Steelers
- WR Rashod Bateman (illness)
- CB Keyon Martin
- T Joseph Noteboom
- DL Aeneas Peebles
- WR Keith Kirkwood
- CB Amani Oruwariye
- QB Cooper Rush (emergency third QB)
Steelers schedule 2025
Ravens schedule 2025
AFC North standings
Week 18’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ game will determine the AFC North champion. The Steelers are entering the matchup with a one-game lead in the standings:
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7 (3-2 AFC North)
- Baltimore Ravens: 8-8 (3-2)
- Cincinnati Bengals: 6-11 (3-3)
- Cleveland Browns: 5-12 (2-4)
NFL playoff picture: AFC bracket
- Denver Broncos (14-3, AFC West winners)*
- New England Patriots (14-3, AFC East winners)*
- Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4, AFC South winners)*
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
- Houston Texans (12-5, wild card No. 1)*
- Buffalo Bills (12-5, wild card No. 2)*
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-6, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
NFL playoff picture: NFC bracket
- Seattle Seahawks (14-3, NFC West winners)*
- Chicago Bears (11-6, NFC North winners)*
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-6, NFC East winners)*
- Carolina Panthers (8-9, NFC South winners)*
- Los Angeles Rams (12-5, wild card No. 1)*
- San Francisco 49ers (12-5, wild card No. 2)*
- Green Bay Packers (9-7-1, wild card No. 3)*
2026 NFL Draft order
Here’s a look at the latest draft order for the first round with strength of schedule information via Tankathon:
- Las Vegas Raiders: 3-14 record; .538 strength of schedule
- New York Jets: 3-14, .552 SOS
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-14; .571 SOS
- Tennessee Titans: 3-14, .574 SOS
- New York Giants: 4-13; .524 SOS
- Cleveland Browns: 5-12, .486 SOS
- Washington Commanders: 5-12; .507 SOS
- New Orleans Saints: 6-11; .495 SOS
- Kansas City Chiefs: 6-11; .516 SOS
- Cincinnati Bengals: 6-11; .521 SOS
- Miami Dolphins: 7-10; .488 SOS
- Dallas Cowboys: 7-9-1; .438 SOS
- Atlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 8-9; .495 SOS
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9, .529 SOS
- Indianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-9; .538 SOS
- Baltimore Ravens: 8-8; .503 SOS
- Detroit Lions: 9-8; .490 SOS
- Minnesota Vikings: 9-8; .514 SOS
- Carolina Panthers: 8-9, .522 SOS
- Green Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-7-1; .483 SOS
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7; .507 SOS
- Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6; .467 SOS
- Philadelphia Eagles: 11-6; .476 SOS
- Buffalo Bills: 12-5, .470 SOS
- Chicago Bears: 11-6; .458 SOS
- San Francisco 49ers: 12-5, .498 SOS
- Houston Texans: 12-5; .524 SOS
- Jacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 13-4; .478 SOS
- Los Angeles Rams: 12-5, .528 SOS
- New England Patriots: 14-3; .390 SOS
- Denver Broncos: 14-3; .422 SOS
- Seattle Seahawks: 14-3; .497 SOS
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