The Wild Card Round of the AFC Playoffs kicked off Saturday, and the prime time matchup was between two AFC North rivals. It was Pittsburgh Steelers at the Baltimore Ravens at 8pm EST to see who advances to the Divisional Round, and whose season is officially over.

With these two teams the storylines could go on forever, but let’s get to the recap of the game…

1st Quarter

The Steelers won the opening coin toss, and elected to receive the football to start the game. This meant Russell Wilson and company took the field first, and while the drive didn’t equate in points, the Steelers were able to flip the field and kill some clock before punting the ball away to the Ravens

After a muffed punt, the Ravens started their first drive inside their own 10-yard line, and the Ravens did what they’ve been doing on their 5-game winning streak entering the playoffs. Move the ball with ease.

The Steelers were determined to not let Derrick Henry beat them, and it meant they left Lamar Jackson open to run the football early and often to get the ball near midfield. A 30-yard Henry wildcat play moved the ball to the red-zone.

KING THINGS

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— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 12, 2025

And on 3rd and 13 Lamar Jackson hit Rashod Bateman for the touchdown.

PUT UP THE BATE SIGNAL 🦇🦇

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— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 12, 2025

Justin Tucker’s extra point was good, making the score 7-0 with 4:45 left in the opening quarter.

The Steelers’ second drive was short-lived, lasting just three plays before they punted the ball away to the Ravens. Baltimore’s second possession started at their 15, and as the quarter came to a close the Ravens were in Pittsburgh territory.

Score after the 1st Quarter: Ravens 7, Steelers 0

2nd Quarter

The Ravens drive to start the 2nd quarter ended in a punt, but the Steelers offense couldn’t even muster a first down on their next drive.

Baltimore’s drive started at the 20-yard line, and it was an impressive drive, to say the last. 13 plays with 13 runs, and it ended in an absolute gut-punching touchdown by Derrick Henry.

👑 TOUCHDOWN 👑

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— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 12, 2025

Tucker was good for the extra point, making the score 14-0 with 4:09 left in the half.

Another three-and-out gave the ball back to the red-hot Ravens at the two-minute warning. Lamar Jackson and company continued to dominate every aspect of the game with limited time remaining in the half. Jackson hit open receivers at every stretch of the drive, and Jackson continued to make plays when it mattered most. The final was a checkdown pass to Justice Hill for the third touchdown of the half.

MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

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— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 12, 2025

The extra point was good, making the score 21-0 heading into halftime, with the Ravens getting the ball coming out of the break,

Score at Halftime:

3rd Quarter

The Ravens started with the football to start the second half, and the Pittsburgh defense was able to do something they did only once in the first half. Force a punt.

The Steelers were pinned at their own 2-yard line, and it looked like it would be another short drive for the Pittsburgh offense. However, huge 3rd down conversions to Calvin Austin III and Mike Williams pushed the ball into Baltimore territory for the first time in the game. The drive ended with the Steelers first score of the game, a touchdown strike to Van Jefferson.

3️⃣ ➡️ 1️⃣1️⃣ for 6️⃣

📺: #PITvsBAL on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/sPGUKhICDb

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 12, 2025

Chris Boswell’s extra point was good, making the score 21-7 with 8:05 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Ravens’ answer was quick, and swift. After converting a 2nd and 20 after a sack, the Ravens took to the ground and capped off the drive with a Derrick Henry 44-yard touchdown run.

MR. DERRICK HENRY!!!!!!!!!!

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— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 12, 2025

The extra point made the score 28-7 with 5:49 left in the quarter.

Despite the score deficit, the Steelers offense was starting to wake up. Russell Wilson remained in the game, and started to get locked in. After a perfect screen to Najee Harris moved the ball into Baltimore territory. Once there, Wilson threw a strike to George Pickens, who made the safety miss, as he walked into the end-zone for the score.

.@DangeRussWilson 🎯 GP for the tuddie

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 12, 2025

The extra point by Boswell was good, making the score 28-14 with 3:24 remaining in the 3rd frame.

Baltimore was held to their first three-and-out of the game, giving the ball right back to the suddenly hot Steelers offense. Despite getting the ball to midfield, the drive would end in a punt at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Score after the 3rd Quarter: Ravens 28, Steelers 14

4th Quarter

Baltimore received the punt to start the quarter, but the drive stalled at midfield. With just above 8 minutes remaining, the Steelers desperately needed a score to move within one score of the Ravens. A big completion to George Pickens moved the ball into Baltimore territory, but facing a 4th and 15 a deep pass into triple coverage for Calvin Austin III fell incomplete.

It turned the ball over on downs, and likely ended the realistic odds the Steelers could win the football game.

The Ravens would ice out the game, never giving the ball back to the Steelers. The 28-14 would hold as final.

FINAL SCORE: Ravens 28, Steelers 14

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for a lengthy offseason.