The AFC North title hangs in the balance in this Week 18 primetime showdown, with the Ravens needing a win to clinch the division after a resilient comeback from a 1-5 start, while the Steelers aim to secure the crown at home and improve their playoff seeding. Pittsburgh’s stout defense, potentially bolstered by T.J. Watt’s return, faces Baltimore’s explosive offense led by Lamar Jackson, in a rivalry that’s produced some of the NFL’s most physical contests. Expect intensity despite the late-season timing, as both teams vie for postseason positioning.
Venue Location
Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This outdoor venue, formerly Heinz Field, opened in 2001 and holds about 68,400 fans, featuring a natural grass surface and known for its passionate Terrible Towel-waving crowd.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET (7:20 p.m. CT / 5:20 p.m. PT).
Broadcast: The game will be broadcast on NBC: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark (field reporter)
Westwood One: Ryan Radtke, Mike Golic
Streaming via Peacock or NFL+.
Weather Updates
Outdoor conditions in Pittsburgh are expected to be frigid, with daytime highs around 21-33°F and nighttime lows near 5-14°F, partly cloudy skies, and a chance of flurries or light snow. Winds around 5-10 mph could affect passing and kicking, potentially favoring run-heavy schemes in typical early January Northeast weather. No major storms are anticipated, but the cold may impact ball security and player stamina.
Injury Report
Both squads are monitoring key players in the finale, with the Ravens relatively healthy offensively but missing depth on defense, and the Steelers hopeful for Watt’s return to bolster their pass rush.
Baltimore Ravens Injuries:
WR Zay Flowers: DNP (undisclosed; missed Wednesday practice).
WR Rashod Bateman: DNP (undisclosed; missed Wednesday).
OLB Kyle Van Noy: DNP (undisclosed; missed Wednesday).
QB Lamar Jackson: Full (back; returned after missing Week 17, expected to play).
Others: The Ravens fought through a hamstring issue for Jackson earlier, but list minimal major concerns; around 3 DNPs on Wednesday.
Pittsburgh Steelers Injuries:
OLB T.J. Watt: Questionable (undisclosed; missed recent games but DC Teryl Austin hints at return; insider updates suggest likely plays).
WR Calvin Austin III: Limited (hamstring).
CB Brandin Echols: Limited (undisclosed).
Others: Multiple starters returned to practice; minimal major absences beyond Watt’s status.
Player Matchups
This game features classic trench warfare, with Watt’s potential return adding intrigue to the Ravens’ offensive line battles, and Baltimore’s ground game testing Pittsburgh’s run defense.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson vs. Steelers Secondary: Jackson (full practice) exploits a Pittsburgh pass D allowing 195 YPG (6th), but must navigate safeties like Minkah Fitzpatrick; his mobility key in cold weather.
Steelers OLB T.J. Watt vs. Ravens O-Line: Watt (questionable but hinted return) chases his 11.5 sacks against Baltimore’s tackles; a mismatch if active vs. a line allowing 32 sacks.
Ravens RB Derrick Henry vs. Steelers Run Defense: Henry (1,200+ yards) tests Pittsburgh’s No. 4 run D (89 YPG allowed), crucial for controlling tempo.
Steelers WR George Pickens vs. Ravens CBs: Pickens targets Baltimore’s secondary, ranked 15th in pass yards allowed, but Van Noy’s absence weakens edge contain.
Recent Team Forms
The Ravens started 1-5 but rallied to 8-8, winning 7 of their last 11, averaging 25.0 PPG (11th) while allowing 23.3 PPG, showcasing resilience under John Harbaugh.
The Steelers sit at 9-7, leading the division after a strong mid-season, with a defense allowing 18.6 PPG (3rd) but offense at 23.2 PPG (15th); they’ve gone 5-2 in their last 7.
Series History
The Steelers lead the all-time series 37-27 (including 3-2 in playoffs), with 64 total meetings. Pittsburgh holds a 23-18 edge under Mike Tomlin vs. John Harbaugh’s 17-22. The rivalry dates to 1996, with memorable postseason clashes like the 2002 AFC Divisional (Steelers 27-10) and 2009 AFC Championship (Steelers 23-14).
Betting Trends
Ravens: Spread favorites at -3.5; lean under 40.5.
Steelers: +3.5 underdogs; historical under trend in series (3-1 last 4).
Head-to-Head: Ravens 3-2 ATS last 5; public favors Ravens ML (55-60%).
RAVENS NOTES:
• RAVENS can win division for 3rd consecutive year, 1st time in franchise history. • QB LAMAR JACKSON completed 7 of 10 atts. (70 pct.) for 101 yards & had 102.5 rating in Week 16. Passed for 219 yards & TD & rushed for 43 yards & TD in Week 14 meeting. • QB TYLER HUNTLEY completed 16 of 20 atts. (80 pct.) for 107 yards & TD vs. 0 INTs with 105.6 rating & rushed for 60 yards in Week 17. Aims for his 3rd start vs. Pit. with 130+ pass yards & TD pass. • RB DERRICK HENRY led team with 216 rush yards & 4 rush TDs last week, 7th career game with 200+ rush yards, most in NFL. Surpassed Adrian Peterson (120) for 4th-most rush TDs all-time. Became 3rd player ever (HOFer LaDainian Tomlinson & Shaun Alexander) with 13+ rush TDs in 5 career seasons. Needs 31 rush yards to join HOFer Barry Sanders as only players ever with 5 career seasons with 1,500+ rush yards. Aims for his 5th vs. division with 100+ scrimmage yards, incl. 102 scrimmage yards (94 rush, 8 rec.) in Week 14 meeting. • WR ZAY FLOWERS had TD catch in Week 17. Aims for his 4th in row with TD. Had 8 catches for 124 yards in Week 14 meeting. • TE ISAIAH LIKELY has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 vs. Pit., incl. Week 14 meeting. • LB ROQUAN SMITH has 10+ tackles in 5 of his past 6. Aims for his 5th in row vs. Pit. with 10+ tackles. Had 10 tackles & TFL in Week 14 meeting. • DE DRE’MONT JONES had 6 tackles last week. • DT TRAVIS JONES had 4 tackles & 1.5 sacks in Week 17. Has TFL in 5 of his past 6 on road & has sack in 2 of his past 3 overall. • CB MARLON HUMPHREY had 3 tackles & INT last week. Has INT in 3 consecutive games, longest active streak in NFL. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Pit. with PD. Had 4 tackles & 3 PD in Week 14 meeting. • CB NATE WIGGINS had 7 tackles in Week 17. Had 6 tackles in Week 14 meeting
STEELERS NOTES:
• STEELERS have .500+ record in 22 consecutive seasons, surpassing 1965- 85 Cowboys (21) for longest streak in NFL history. Can win division for 1st time since 2020. • QB AARON RODGERS passed for 168 yards in Week 17. Ranks 4th all-time in TD passes (526) & 5th in pass yards (65,980). Has 60+ comp. pct., 100+ rating & TD pass in 4 of his 5 games vs. division this season. Completed 23 of 34 atts. (67.6 pct.) for 284 yards & TD with 103.1 rating & rush TD in Week 14 meeting. • RB JAYLEN WARREN rushed for 64 yards last week. Has 60+ scrimmage yards in each of his 5 games vs. division this season, incl. 62 scrimmage yards (49 rec., 13 rush) & TD catch in Week 14 meeting. • RB KENNETH GAINWELL had 38 scrimmage yards (26 rush, 12 rec.) in Week 17. Has 120+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3. Had 6 catches, 42 scrimmage yards (27 rec., 15 rush) & rush TD in Week 14 meeting. • DT CAMERON HEYWARD had 5 tackles & TFL in Week 17. Aims for his 4th in row with TFL. Had 5 tackles in Week 14 meeting. • LB T.J. WATT needs 2 sacks to tie HOFers Jared Allen (117) & DeMarcus Ware (117) for 3rd-most sacks in 1st 9 seasons since 1982. Has TFL in 5 of his past 6. Ranks 2nd with 136 TFL since 2017. Had 6 tackles & TFL in Week 14 meeting. • LB PATRICK QUEEN had 5 tackles & TFL last week. Spent 1st 4 seasons (2020-23) with Bal., totaling 453 tackles, 37 TFL, 15 PD, 13.5 sacks, 6 FR, 5 FF & 4 INT. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Bal. with 7+ tackles. • LB ALEX HIGHSMITH had 2 sacks in Week 17. Had 7 tackles, 3 TFL & sack in Week 14 meeting. • LB JACK SAWYER (rookie) had INT last week. • CB JALEN RAMSEY had 5 tackles in Week 17. • S KYLE DUGGER led team with 8 tackles & had INT last week. Had 12 tackles in his only career game vs. Bal. (11/15/20 w/ NE).
Game Odds
Baltimore Ravens – 3.5
Pittsburgh Steelers 41.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, January 3, 2026
