BALTIMORE — Apparently, last season (and postseason) was a blip on the radar. Pittsburgh Steelers-Baltimore Ravens games are right back to being roller coasters of emotions, physicality from both sides and down-to-the-wire affairs that keep the heart rate up for the final minutes.

Sunday was a vintage matchup in that manner, but the Steelers pulled out a 27-22 victory at M&T Bank Stadium just when it looked as if their 2025 season was headed down the drain. Backs against the wall, the Steelers (7-6) held on despite a furious second-half rally by the Ravens (6-7).

The Steelers now have sole possession of first place in the AFC North while the Ravens will lament their missed opportunities. Baltimore allowed the Steelers to stake themselves to a 17-9 lead at the half, and their comeback fell short. Errors from the kicker to Lamar Jackson to tight end Isaiah Likely loomed large, while the Steelers did just enough to protect their opening-drive touchdown and never trailed again.

James Pierre had a key interception of Jackson, his cousin from south Florida, and the Steelers made life hard on him throughout the game. They still had issues stopping the run and were out-gained by more than 100 yards, but it will go down as a gutsy win, as they had contributors dropping left and right with injuries. After the debacle against the Bills a week prior, at least they didn’t add insult to injury.

It was over when

Alex Highsmith brought down Jackson on a shoestring sack as time expired, not long after the Ravens made their way into Steelers territory in a desperation attempt to string together a final scoring drive.

Player of the game

Aaron Rodgers. He still hasn’t hit 300 yards passing in a game with the Steelers, but this was his closest effort yet, throwing for 284 on 23-of-34 passing with one touchdown. Rodgers got off to a hot start with a perfect toss to DK Metcalf streaking down the right sideline for 52 yards. He also shirked off Ravens defenders a time or two and snatched a reception from the jaws of an interception in the fourth quarter when he had his worst pass of the day. Perhaps most impressive, Rodgers did it all without any run game to back him up. The Steelers rushed for just 34 yards, a season low. Oddly enough, in the three games they were held under 55 yards on the ground, they won all three.

Trending up

Brandin Echols. For the second week in a row, the Steelers’ starting nickelback lands here. But that’s how well Echols is playing lately in that role, which was occupied by Jalen Ramsey for the first portion of the season. While Echols was only credited with one pass breakup, he had two key plays in coverage to set the tone early, and his third-down sack of Jackson in the first half was a thing of beauty. Echols had to shimmy past 6-foot-8, 370-pound right guard Daniel Faalele to make that play.

Trending down

Andrus Peat. Making another start at left tackle in place of Broderick Jones, who’s almost certainly done for the season with a neck injury, Peat did not do much to lock up the job the rest of the way. He had his struggles against rookie edge rusher Mike Green and also was called for two penalties, a false start and a hold. On the second, Peat actually left the game for a concussion check, which means Dylan Cook is set to play a pivotal role with Calvin Anderson hurt now, too.

Up next

The first (and only) “Monday Night Football” date of the season for the Steelers, at home against the Miami Dolphins.

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