Controversial Calls, Missed Opportunities Doom Baltimore in Critical AFC North Showdown

The Baltimore Ravens’ playoff hopes took a devastating blow yesterday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium, as they fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-22 in a game that will be remembered as much for controversial officiating as for the result itself.

With first place in the AFC North on the line, the Ravens (now 6-7) and Steelers (now 7-6) entered Sunday’s matchup deadlocked at 6-6. Both teams were desperate for a win to gain control of the division race in the season’s critical final stretch. Instead, Baltimore is left wondering “what if” after a series of crushing breaks went against them in the fourth quarter.

The Game That Got Away

Aaron Rodgers outdueled Lamar Jackson in a battle of two quarterbacks with six MVPs between them, throwing for 284 yards and accounting for two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing) in what may have been his best performance since joining Pittsburgh this season. His connection with DK Metcalf proved lethal—Metcalf torched Baltimore’s secondary for a season-high 148 yards on seven catches, including explosive plays of 52, 42, and 28 yards.

“At least maybe you guys will shut the hell up for a week,” Rodgers said after the game, responding to recent speculation about Mike Tomlin’s job security after last week’s 26-7 blowout loss to Buffalo.

For the Ravens, the numbers tell a story of frustration and what might have been. Despite dominating the ground game—Baltimore outrushed Pittsburgh 217 yards to just 34—they couldn’t capitalize when it mattered most. According to CBS Sports, it was the largest rushing advantage by a losing team since Jacksonville outran Indianapolis 243-45 in 2022 and still lost 34-27.

“They smashed us today,” Tomlin admitted after the game, acknowledging Baltimore’s physical superiority in the trenches.

The Turning Points

First Half: Steelers Take Control

The game started ominously for Baltimore. On Pittsburgh’s first offensive play from scrimmage, Rodgers launched a 52-yard bomb to Metcalf that immediately put the Steelers in scoring position. Rodgers then punched it in himself from one yard out—his first rushing touchdown since the 2022 season—to give Pittsburgh a 7-3 lead.

“That was in no way the play at all,” Rodgers joked afterward. “The whole left side just caved in. I started running. I had two larger humans chasing me that I maybe was equal to or slightly faster than.”

The Ravens’ offensive struggles continued in the first half. Lamar Jackson threw an interception to his own cousin, defensive back James Pierre, which set up a crucial Pittsburgh touchdown drive. After a penalty on a Ravens field goal attempt gave the Steelers a new set of downs, Kenneth Gainwell scored from six yards out to make it 17-3.

Jackson finally got Baltimore on the board with a 6-yard rushing touchdown just before halftime—his first rushing score since Week 1—but Tyler Loop missed the extra point, leaving the Ravens trailing 17-9 at the break.

Second Half: Ravens Rally Falls Short

Pittsburgh extended their lead to 27-16 after three quarters, capped by a pivotal 38-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Jaylen Warren on 3rd-and-4 late in the third quarter. This play proved to be the game’s decisive moment, stretching the Steelers’ lead beyond a single score and allowing them to control the game’s tempo.

The Ravens battled back in the fourth quarter, with Loop drilling field goals of 28 and 36 yards to cut the deficit to 27-22. But it was what happened next that will haunt Baltimore fans for weeks.

The Controversial Overturned Touchdown

With under five minutes remaining and the Ravens driving for what could have been a go-ahead score, Jackson appeared to throw a touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely that would have given Baltimore a 28-27 lead.

But after review, officials overturned the call, ruling that Likely did not maintain possession before the ball came loose. Instead of a touchdown, the Ravens faced fourth down. Jackson’s fourth-down pass intended for Mark Andrews was broken up by former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen, turning the ball over on downs.

“My level of frustration was ‘through the roof,'” Jackson said after the game, visibly dejected.

Another Controversial Call Seals It

Baltimore got one more chance with the ball, but another review went against them. A Rodgers pass was batted into the air by C.J. Okoye and disappeared into a mass of players, with Rodgers in the middle. The play was initially ruled an interception, but after review, officials determined Rodgers briefly had his hands on the ball before losing control, meaning he caught his own pass and was down by contact.

The reversal cost Baltimore crucial field position. The Steelers punted, and the Ravens reached the Pittsburgh 30-yard line on their final drive. But with no timeouts remaining, Jackson took a sack and the clock expired before Baltimore could get another play off. Game over.

The game officially ended with Alex Highsmith sacking Jackson on the final play—a fitting end to a day where Baltimore’s offense sputtered in critical moments despite their physical dominance.

Individual Performances

Ravens Offense

Lamar Jackson (QB):

• 219 passing yards, 1 interception
• 43 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
• Sacked once
• First rushing TD since Week 1, but continues to struggle with turnover issues (zero TD passes in his last four games, five turnovers in last three games)
• Has not looked like himself since returning from hamstring injury earlier this season

Derrick Henry (RB):

• 94 yards on 25 carries (3.8 yards per carry)
• Held to just 12 yards on five carries in the first half
• More productive in second half but couldn’t break the big plays Pittsburgh’s defense feared
• Season totals: 1,025 yards, 10 TDs through 13 games

Zay Flowers (WR):

• 124 receiving yards (game-high for Ravens)
• Multiple critical catches kept drives alive
• Continues to be Jackson’s most reliable target

Ravens Defense

The defense held the Steelers to just 34 rushing yards—an impressive feat against any opponent. However, they couldn’t contain Rodgers’ aerial attack when it mattered most.

Key defensive stats:

• One interception (James Pierre)
• One sack on Rodgers (Jabari Echols)
• Forced Pittsburgh into multiple third-and-long situations
• Failed to get a stop when the game was on the line

Steelers Offense

Aaron Rodgers (QB):

• 284 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD
• Not sacked once by Baltimore’s defense
• Four completions of 31+ yards (after having none in all of November)
• Most yards passing since joining the Steelers this season
• Played with soft cast on broken left wrist

DK Metcalf (WR):

• Season-high 148 yards on 7 catches
• Explosive plays set up multiple scores
• Consistently beat Ravens’ coverage downfield

Jaylen Warren (RB):

• 38-yard TD reception in third quarter
• Critical catches throughout the game

What It Means

Division Implications

The loss drops Baltimore to 6-7 and out of first place in the AFC North for the first time since Week 9. More critically, it hands the Steelers (7-6) the inside track to the division title with four games remaining.

Current AFC North Standings:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-6
2. Baltimore Ravens: 6-7
3. Cincinnati Bengals: 5-8 (eliminated from contention)
4. Cleveland Browns: 3-10 (eliminated from contention)

The Schedule Crunch

The Ravens now face a brutal closing stretch:

• Week 15: @ Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, Dec. 14, 6:00 PM ET)
• Week 16: vs. New England Patriots
• Week 17: @ Green Bay Packers
• Week 18: @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Meanwhile, the Steelers have a much more favorable schedule with only one opponent (the Lions in Week 16) currently holding a winning record.

Playoff Picture

At 6-7, the Ravens are now in serious danger of missing the playoffs entirely. While they remain mathematically alive for a Wild Card spot, they’ll likely need to win at least three of their final four games—and even that might not be enough depending on other results.

The most painful reality? Baltimore controlled its own destiny entering Sunday. Win yesterday, and they would have been 7-6 and in first place with the tiebreaker over Pittsburgh. Instead, they’re on the outside looking in, relying on help from other teams.

Historic Rushing Dominance Wasted

The Ravens’ 217-34 rushing advantage should have been enough to win comfortably. Baltimore’s offensive line physically dominated Pittsburgh’s defensive front, creating gaping holes for Henry and Jackson throughout the afternoon.

But as the saying goes, you can’t just run the ball in today’s NFL—you have to be able to throw it effectively in critical moments. The Ravens failed to do so. Jackson’s interception to James Pierre in the first half swung momentum, and the offense’s inability to punch it in during the fourth quarter proved fatal.

This marks another frustrating chapter in what has become a season of “what ifs” for Baltimore. After starting 1-5, the Ravens rattled off five straight wins to climb back into contention. But consecutive losses to Cincinnati (32-14 on Thanksgiving) and now Pittsburgh have them reeling at the worst possible time.

Derrick Henry Milestone Watch

Despite the loss, Derrick Henry continues his march up the NFL’s all-time rushing list. With 94 yards yesterday, Henry now has 1,025 rushing yards on the season and 12,407 career rushing yards.

All-Time NFL Rushing Leaders:

1. Emmitt Smith – 18,355 yards
2. Walter Payton – 16,726 yards
3. Barry Sanders – 15,269 yards
4. Frank Gore – 16,000 yards
5. Curtis Martin – 14,101 yards
6. LaDainian Tomlinson – 13,684 yards
7. Jerome Bettis – 13,662 yards
8. Eric Dickerson – 13,259 yards
9. Tony Dorsett – 12,739 yards
10. Jim Brown – 12,312 yards
11. Derrick Henry – 12,407 yards (and counting)

Henry passed Jim Brown for 11th place all-time earlier this season and continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest power runners in NFL history. At age 31, he shows no signs of slowing down, averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season despite Baltimore’s offensive struggles.

Looking Ahead

The Ravens must regroup quickly. They travel to Cincinnati on Sunday, December 14 (6:00 PM ET on CBS) for a critical divisional matchup against the Bengals. Cincinnati has been officially eliminated from playoff contention but would love nothing more than to play spoiler against their division rival.

For Baltimore, the path forward is clear but daunting: win out and hope for help. Anything less, and a season that started with Super Bowl aspirations will end in bitter disappointment.

The offensive line must continue to create holes for Henry. Jackson must protect the football and rediscover the explosiveness that made him a two-time MVP. The defense must continue to play at a high level. And the coaching staff must find ways to capitalize in the red zone instead of settling for field goals.

Most importantly, the Ravens need to put yesterday’s controversies behind them. Fair or not, the officials’ calls stood. Dwelling on what might have been won’t help Baltimore win the games they still have left to play.

Park at Harbor Park Garage for Ravens Games

Even in tough losses like yesterday’s heartbreaker, Ravens fans showed up and showed out at M&T Bank Stadium. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd was engaged, and the energy was palpable—right until the final, frustrating play.

If you’re planning to attend any of the Ravens’ remaining home games this season, Harbor Park Garage is your smart parking solution.

Why Choose Harbor Park Garage?

Location: 55 Market Place, Baltimore, MD 21202

• Just 0.8 miles from M&T Bank Stadium
• 15-minute walk or quick rideshare ride
• Easy access to major highways (I-95, I-395, I-83)

Rates:

• Ravens Game Day Parking: Competitive rates for all home games
• Covered parking protects your vehicle rain or shine
• 24/7 security and professional staffing

Amenities:

• Close to Inner Harbor restaurants and bars for pre-game and post-game celebrations
• Easy access to Light Rail for direct transit to M&T Bank Stadium
• Online reservations available at harborparkgarage.com

Remaining Ravens Home Games:

• Week 16 (Dec. 21): vs. New England Patriots
• (Week 18 is @ Pittsburgh)

Don’t let parking stress diminish your game day experience. Reserve your spot today and focus on what matters—cheering on the Ravens as they fight for their playoff lives down the stretch.

Final Stats Summary

Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Baltimore Ravens 22

Team Statistics:

Passing:

• Steelers: Aaron Rodgers 22-35, 284 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 0 sacks
• Ravens: Lamar Jackson 18-31, 219 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 1 sack

Rushing:

• Steelers: Team total 34 yards (Kenneth Gainwell 31 yards, 1 TD; Aaron Rodgers 6 yards, 1 TD)
• Ravens: Derrick Henry 25 carries, 94 yards; Lamar Jackson 7 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD

Receiving:

• Steelers: DK Metcalf 7-148; Jaylen Warren 5-78, 1 TD
• Ravens: Zay Flowers 8-124; Mark Andrews 4-41

Next Game: Ravens @ Bengals, Sunday, December 14, 6:00 PM ET, CBS

Record: Ravens 6-7 (2nd in AFC North), Steelers 7-6 (1st in AFC North)

The Ravens’ season hangs in the balance. With four games remaining and a brutal schedule ahead, every snap matters. Will Baltimore rally from this crushing defeat, or will yesterday’s loss be remembered as the day their playoff dreams died? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: the margin for error is gone.

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