Aaron Rodgers threw a go-ahead landing go to Calvin Austin III with 55 seconds left because the Steelers beat the Ravens 26-24 when Baltimore’s Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard discipline purpose as time expired, giving Pittsburgh the AFC North title and ending the Ravens’ season.
Pittsburgh (10-7) will host Houston (12-5) within the opening spherical of the playoffs on January 13, following an electrical fourth quarter that noticed 4 lead adjustments, together with three within the remaining 4 minutes.
The Ravens had been poised to swing the lead again their means one final time after Lamar Jackson related with Isaiah Doubtless for a 28-yard acquire that put the Ravens inside Loop’s vary.
The rookie’s kick by no means had an opportunity, crusing effectively to the appropriate of the goalposts because the Steelers poured onto the sphere to rejoice their first division title in 5 years.
Rodgers handed for a season-high 294 yards and his 26-yard toss to Austin made it 26-24. Chris Boswell missed the additional level, giving the Ravens an opportunity to win with a discipline purpose.
Jackson, coping with a painful again contusion, handed for 238 yards and three scores, together with a pair to Zay Flowers within the fourth quarter. Every of Flowers’ TDs – from 50 and 64 yards – put Baltimore in entrance.
Pittsburgh responded every time, and can now welcome the Texans whereas trying to finish a playoff victory drought that stretches to the 2016 AFC championship sport.
Pittsburgh’s operating again duo of Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren mixed for 173 complete yards because the Steelers bounced again from a loss final week in Cleveland and ended a wildly uneven season for Jackson and the Ravens.
Stats leaders:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Passing: Aaron Rodgers, 31/47, 294 yards, 1 TD
- Speeding: Jaylen Warren, 14 carries, 66 yards
- Receiving: Kenneth Gainwell, 8 catches, 64 yards
Baltimore Ravens
- Passing: Lamar Jackson, 11/18, 238 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
- Speeding: Derrick Henry, 20 carries, 126 yards
- Receiving: Zay Flowers, 4 catches, 138 yards, 2 TDs
The Steelers trailed by 10 early, and a repeat of the bludgeoning they took by the hands of Baltimore within the first spherical of the playoffs final season appeared potential.
The protection, pushed round repeatedly by Derrick Henry since he joined the Ravens final season, lastly responded and the offense – enjoying with out suspended broad receiver DK Metcalf – slowly discovered its footing.
Henry ran for 126 yards for the Ravens and have become the ninth participant in NFL historical past to achieve 13,000 profession yards dashing however was held principally in examine throughout a second half that morphed into an unbelievable shootout.
Jackson’s first landing go to Flowers was a factor of magnificence. The 2-time MVP ducked out of the attain of two would-be tacklers earlier than floating a go to a streaking Flowers to place the Ravens up 17-13.
Gainwell sprinted in from 2 yards out with 3:49 remaining to place Pittsburgh again in entrance. The Ravens, trying to turn into the primary staff because the creation of the AFC North in 2003 to win the division three consecutive years, wanted all of three performs to reclaim the lead when Jackson lofted a go to a wide-open Flowers for a 64-yard rating.
Rodgers, in what would be the remaining stretch of his 21-year profession, responded by taking the Steelers 65 yards in six performs, the final a rainbow down the left sideline to Austin, who was alone after a Ravens defender fell down.
Boswell then missed his first additional level of the season after 40 straight makes, opening the door for the Ravens. Baltimore appeared poised to finish its longtime rival’s season for the second time in 12 months earlier than Loop’s kick began proper and stayed there.
The win was the 193rd regular-season victory of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s profession, tying him with Corridor of Famer Chuck Noll for the franchise file and for ninth on the NFL’s profession checklist.
The fortieth assembly between Tomlin and Ravens coach John Harbaugh – solely Corridor of Famers George Halas and Curly Lambeau confronted one another extra – was among the many most memorable.
Whether or not it is also the final stays to be seen. Harbaugh faces questions on his future after a rocky 18th season.
Tomlin, the longest-tenured head coach in main North American skilled sports activities, heads into the post-season with a membership that has solely often regarded like a contender. The actual check awaits subsequent week.
Watch each minute of the NFL playoffs and Tremendous Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL.
