The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens couldn’t have entered Week 18 with more different circumstances. The Steelers needed a win and help to get into the playoffs, while the Ravens had already locked up the division crown and the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs. Needless to say, the Ravens were resting players while the Steelers needed all hands on deck to give themselves a shot at making the postseason.

When the game started, the weather was atrocious. A cold, steady rain fell as the Steelers took the opening kickoff after losing the coin toss. Mason Rudolph led the team to midfield before the drive stalled and ended in a Pressley Harvin punt. After the Ravens’ three-and-out with Tyler Huntley at quarterback, the Steelers’ second possession started at their own 24-yard line. The drive the Steelers put together was impressive and simple. Running with creativity with a jet sweep to Calvin Austin III, hard nosed runs by Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren got the offense into the red-zone. From there it was all Najee Harris as he plunged into the endzone for the first score of the game.

.@ohthatsNajee22 in for six 💪

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 6, 2024

Chris Boswell’s extra point was good, making the score 7-0 with 2:36 remaining in the first quarter.

Both teams exchanged possessions as the game turned to the second quarter, but on Baltimore’s first drive of the quarter it ended in a Melvin Gordon fumble caused by Mark Robinson. It was recovered by the Steelers, giving the offense great field position.

.@Mr_Ogunjobi comes up with the football 🙌

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 6, 2024

Following a snap infraction call on Mason Cole, the Steelers offense found themselves behind the chains and in need of making a play. On 3rd down, the Steelers threw a pass to Jaylen Warren who fumbled the ball right back to Baltimore.

The Ravens weren’t able to score points off the turnover, and instead punted the ball back to Pittsburgh. After a 3 play drive for the Steelers, it was the Ravens who struck next. Finally willing to let Tyler Huntley throw the ball down field, the Ravens moved the ball into Pittsburgh territory, a Gus Edwards run moved the ball just outside the red-zone. One play later Huntley hit Isaiah Likely for the touchdown, tying the game 7-7 with 2:19 left in the half.

The Steelers looked to be nearing Chris Boswell’s field goal range, but another turnover, this time a strip sack of Mason Rudolph, ended the drive with no points as both teams headed into halftime tied 7-7.

Coming out of half, both teams exchanged multiple possessions through the midst of an ugly 3rd quarter. The first play in the 4th quarter, a 3rd and 3 play, was a strike from Rudolph to Diontae Johnson for a 71-yard touchdown.

TO. THE. HOUSE. 🙌 @Juiceup__3

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 6, 2024

Chris Boswell’s extra point was good, making the score 14-7 in the early minutes of the 4th quarter.

The Steelers defense was able to deny the Ravens of points on their next drive, and a decent return by Calvin Austin III had everyone thinking the offense would be able to put the game away. However, the offense failed to do the job, and instead punted the ball back to Baltimore with 7:41 remaining in regulation.

On that drive, Eric Rowe came up with a forced fumble which was recovered by Markus Golden for the Steelers’ second takeaway of the game.

Eric Rowe knocks it out for the fumble!

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 7, 2024

Off the turnover, it was all Najee Harris in many ways. Both running the ball, and catching the ball, the Steelers offense moved the ball inside the 10-yard line on the back of No. 22. Facing a 3rd and goal, an end around to Jaylen Warren was stopped short, but the Steelers forced the Ravens to use all their timeout as Chris Boswell nailed the chip shot to make it a two-score lead, 17-7, with 3:13 remaining in the 4th quarter.

Facing the Steelers’ prevent defense, the Ravens moved quickly down the field, but they barely had enough time to kick a field goal after Huntley was sacked on 3rd down by Markus Golden.

When the dust settled, the Steelers won the game by the score 17-10.

The Steelers win keeps their playoff hopes alive, but ends their regular season 10-7 as they hope for the help Sunday. Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers final regular season game.