If you want to understand the absolute chaos of the Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens rivalry, look no further than January 4, 2026. It was a Sunday night in Pittsburgh. The AFC North title was basically on a silver platter. Ravens rookie Tyler Loop stepped up for a 44-yard field goal to save Baltimore's season.
He missed.
Wide right. The Steelers walked away with a 26-24 win, leaving the Ravens without a playoff berth for the first time since 2021. This isn't just football; it's a car crash you can't look away from. For years, people have called this the most physical rivalry in the NFL, and honestly, they aren't exaggerating. It's a "teeth-rattler," as Mike Tomlin might say.
Why the Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Rivalry Hits Different
Most fans think this rivalry is about ancient history, but it’s actually rooted in a very specific kind of 1990s drama. When Art Modell moved the original Browns to Baltimore in 1996, he didn't just move a team; he moved a grudge. The Steelers leads the all-time series 38-27, but that doesn't tell the whole story.
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Since 2008, 26 of their 32 meetings have been decided by a single score. Think about that. Almost every single time these teams meet, it comes down to a frantic drive in the final two minutes or a kicker holding his breath. It’s stressful. It’s also why the "Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens" keyword is basically synonymous with "one-possession game" in Vegas.
The Weird Lamar Jackson Problem
You've probably heard that Lamar Jackson is the "Kryptonite" for most teams. Well, the Steelers are his Kryptonite. It’s weird. Despite his MVP trophies and highlights that break the internet, Lamar has struggled immensely against Pittsburgh.
Before the 2025 season concluded, Jackson held a 3-6 career record against the Black and Gold. He’s thrown 14 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in those games. Compare that to how he carves up the rest of the league, and it makes no sense. The Steelers seem to have a mental hold on him. Even in that heartbreaking January 2026 loss, Jackson threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns, but a late-game interception and the inability to finish the final drive proved fatal.
The Rodgers Factor and Recent Shifts
The 2025 season changed the dynamic because the Steelers had a different guy under center: Aaron Rodgers. People wondered if the "old man" could handle the AFC North's brutality.
He did more than handle it.
In the December 7, 2025 matchup at M&T Bank Stadium, Rodgers led a late comeback to win 27-22. He threw for 284 yards, and the connection with Calvin Austin III became the Ravens' nightmare. In the regular-season finale, Rodgers again found Austin for a 26-yard score with 55 seconds left. It’s a different kind of Steelers team now—less "three yards and a cloud of dust" and more "precision strikes when it hurts most."
Coaching Chess: Tomlin vs. Harbaugh
We have to talk about the guys on the sidelines. Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh have met 40 times. That is a modern NFL record for two head coaches.
- Mike Tomlin: 23-17 record against Harbaugh.
- John Harbaugh: 17-22 record against Tomlin.
They’ve been at it for 18 seasons. There were rumors in early 2026 that Harbaugh might be out in Baltimore after the Ravens missed the playoffs. If that happens, it’s the end of an era. These two coaches raised the "hatred" to professional levels. They respect each other, but they clearly want to ruin each other’s year.
Defensive Identity is Still the Core
Even with the QB changes, the "Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens" matchups are won in the trenches. T.J. Watt is still the boogeyman for Baltimore. In that December 2025 game, he recorded a game-ending sack on Lamar Jackson that essentially iced the win.
On the flip side, the Ravens have relied on Derrick Henry to do the dirty work. In the 2025 Wild Card round (played in January 2025), Henry absolutely demolished Pittsburgh with 186 rushing yards. It was the most rushing yards the Steelers had ever allowed in a playoff game.
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But by the end of the 2025 regular season, Pittsburgh’s defense figured out the "King." In the January 2026 finale, they held Henry to 126 yards, which sounds like a lot, but he "fizzled out" in the second half when it mattered.
Surprising Stats You Probably Missed
The Ravens actually had a rest advantage in 2024-2025 that was historic. They had 16 more days of rest than their opponents throughout the 2024 schedule. Did it help against Pittsburgh? Not really.
Another weird one: the Steelers had a plus-11 turnover differential in late 2025, while the Ravens were sitting at a minus-2. In a rivalry where three points is the median margin, turning the ball over is basically a death sentence.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're betting or just trying to win an argument at the bar, keep these things in mind for the next time these two face off:
- Ignore the Spread: If the spread is more than 3 points, take the underdog. These games are almost always closer than the experts think.
- The Third Quarter Trap: The Steelers' defense in late 2025 became legendary for its third-quarter adjustments, often giving up less than 10 yards of total offense in that period.
- Watch the Practice Report: Injuries to the offensive line in this specific rivalry matter more than anywhere else because of the "blitz-heavy" nature of both schemes. Baltimore blitzes on nearly 38% of dropbacks.
- Former Player Revenge: Keep an eye on Patrick Queen. The former Raven joined the Steelers and has been a central figure in "containing" his former teammate, Lamar Jackson.
The rivalry isn't just about who has the better record. It's about who survives. Right now, the Steelers have the upper hand, winning 9 of the last 12 meetings. Baltimore has the talent, but until they solve the "Pittsburgh Puzzle," they’re going to keep finding themselves on the wrong side of those two-point margins.
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Check the 2026 schedule as soon as it drops. You’ll want to circle both dates. Whether it's Rodgers vs. Jackson or a new era of defensive stars, the Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens game is the only one in the NFL that guarantees a 60-minute fistfight.