The Baltimore Ravens beat the Steelers for the first time since December 2022 by a final score of 34-17 to clinch the franchise’s sixth playoff appearance since the start of the 2018 season. The Baltimore offense proved too much for the Pittsburgh defense to handle, accumulating 418 scrimmage yards.
Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson added to his MVP resume by having his best game when facing the Steelers. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson also picked up another 22 yards on the ground.
The Raven’s second-ranked running attack was also hugely important in this game. Baltimore gashed Pittsburgh’s fourth-ranked rushing defense for 220 yards. Ravens running back Derrick Henry finished with 162 yards on 24 carries for an average of 6.8 yards per rush. He started with 54 rushing yards on the first two drives of the game to set up a nine-yard touchdown toss by Lamar Jackson in the first quarter.
Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson looked like a younger version of himself, completing 22 of 33 passes for 217 yards, two passing touchdowns, and 27 rushing yards. On the Steelers’ second drive, he went six for six passing with 63 yards and a TD.
Unfortunately, Wilson tried to go to the fountain of youth one too many times, which led to him fumbling the ball away on a 20-yard scramble on Pittsburgh’s following possession just three yards shy of the end zone. That untimely fumble was Wilson’s fourth of the season and his second in as many weeks.
OUR BALL 🗣@ad_washington24 forces the fumble and @KVN_03 recovers!!!!
Tune in on FOX pic.twitter.com/zWEtx7xIQ9
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 21, 2024
Baltimore running back Justice Hill broke off a 25-yard run on the ensuing drive but took a hit to his head hard while being tackled and was ruled out of the rest of the game with a concussion. His sacrifice was not made in vain though, as Lamar Jackson would connect with wideout Rashod Bateman for a 14-yard touchdown. That touchdown, which gave Baltimore a 14-7 lead, was Bateman’s eighth of the year.
Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy recorded one and a half sacks in the game, giving him ten on the year – a new single-season high for the 12-year veteran.
Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker seems to have shaken off his kicking demons, nailing a 51-yard field goal to put the Ravens ahead 17-7. That was only his sixth successful field goal of 50+ yards since the start of the 2023 season.
Justin Tucker doing what he does best!
📺 Watch Steelers vs. Ravens Super Saturday EXCLUSIVE on NFL Game Pass on DAZN | via @NFLpic.twitter.com/tQoHrIOcPA
— NFL on DAZN (@NFLonDAZN) December 21, 2024
Second-year Pittsburgh wide receiver Calvin Austin had a stellar game. On the Steelers’ second drive of the third quarter, Austin caught two passes for a whopping 60 yards, which led to a 12-yard touchdown catch by receiver-turned-running back Cordarrelle Patterson to tie the game 17-17. That was Patterson’s first touchdown reception since December 7th, 2023.
Baltimore’s offense would take over from there, outscoring the Steelers 17-0.
Ravens tight end Mark Andrews extended his touchdown streak to four games with a seven-yard TD reception late in the third quarter to put Baltimore back up 24-17. That was Andrews’ team-leading ninth touchdown catch of the season. That also marked Lamar Jackson’s 37th passing touchdown of the year, a new single-season high for the two-time MVP.
Faced with a 4th and 5 at Baltimore’s 45, Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton deflected a pass to Calvin Austin, resulting in a turnover on downs and the Ravens taking possession.
One play after Derrick Henry rumbled for 44 yards to give Baltimore the ball on Pittsburgh’s 11, Lamar Jackson threw his fourth interception of the season, putting the Steelers right back in the game down a score with most of the fourth quarter left.
The play of the game came two snaps later when Baltimore cornerback Marlon Humphrey returned a Russell Wilson interception 37 yards for a touchdown to put the Ravens ahead 31-17.
MARLON HUMPHREY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tune in on FOX! pic.twitter.com/LOMbBM914K
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 21, 2024
Ravens wideout Zay Flowers went for 100 yards receiving thanks to a 49-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter to put Baltimore in Pittsburgh territory. That resulted in another Justin Ticker field goal to close out the game 34-17.
After splitting the season series, the Ravens and Steelers can both still win the AFC North. If Baltimore and Pittsburgh both go 1-1 in the final two weeks of the 2024-25 campaign, then the Ravens will win the division because they had a harder strength of schedule.
