The Baltimore Ravens pulled even with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North with a convincing 34-17 victory on Saturday night, clinching a playoff berth in the process. Led by quarterback Lamar Jackson’s three touchdown passes and a pivotal fourth-quarter interception return by cornerback Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens (10-5) dealt a blow to their division rival’s hopes of locking up the division early.
Pittsburgh (10-5) entered the matchup needing a win to secure the AFC North crown, but Baltimore’s dominance on both sides of the ball ensured the race would stay wide open heading into the final two weeks of the season.
Baltimore struck first when Jackson connected with tight end Isaiah Likely for a 9-yard touchdown in the opening quarter. Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson answered with a 1-yard scoring pass to tight end MyCole Pruitt to tie the game at 7-7. The Steelers appeared poised to take control after Wilson scrambled 19 yards into Baltimore territory, but Ar’Darius Washington delivered a jarring hit that forced a fumble, which linebacker Kyle Van Noy recovered at the Ravens’ 4-yard line.
That momentum swing set the stage for a 96-yard drive capped by Jackson’s 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rashod Bateman, giving Baltimore a 14-7 lead.
In the third quarter, Wilson found running back Cordarrelle Patterson for a 12-yard touchdown to tie the game again at 17-17. However, Jackson responded with a poised 7-yard scoring strike to tight end Mark Andrews to put Baltimore back in front.
A crucial defensive play came late in the fourth quarter when Humphrey, celebrating the recent birth of his son Duke, intercepted Wilson and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six extended the Ravens’ lead to 34-17 and sealed the victory in a series that had seen its previous nine meetings decided by seven points or fewer.
Jackson improved to 2-4 against Pittsburgh as a starter, throwing for three touchdowns and just his fourth interception of the season. His ability to lead the Ravens to crucial scoring drives under pressure proved vital. The star running back rushed for 162 yards, including a 44-yard run that put the Ravens in scoring position late in the game.
Humphrey’s game-changing interception return provided Baltimore with much-needed breathing room in the final quarter. The Steelers quarterback threw two touchdown passes but also committed two turnovers, including the costly interception late in the game.
Pittsburgh’s vaunted defense, which entered the game leading the league with a +18 turnover margin, struggled to contain Baltimore’s offense and capitalize on opportunities.
With the win, Baltimore clinched a playoff spot for the fifth time in six years under head coach John Harbaugh. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh, having already secured its postseason berth, now faces added pressure to reclaim sole possession of the AFC North in the final stretch of the season.
Both teams face quick turnarounds, playing on Christmas Day to conclude grueling stretches of three games in 11 days. The Steelers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a marquee matchup, while the Ravens travel to Houston to take on the Texans.
The race for the AFC North promises to be a dramatic finish, with Baltimore and Pittsburgh locked in a dead heat heading into Week 17.
