The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers delivered another classic chapter in their long-standing AFC North rivalry on January 4, 2026. In a winner-take-all Week 18 showdown at Acrisure Stadium, the Steelers edged the Ravens 26-24 after a wild fourth quarter featuring multiple lead changes and a missed game-winning field goal. Fans searching for Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats will find a game packed with big performances, efficient quarterback play, and critical contributions from skill-position stars.
This recap dives deep into the final numbers, standout individual efforts, team trends, and what the result meant heading into the 2026 offseason and new season.
Latest Player and Team Updates Heading into 2026
As the 2026 NFL season approaches (Week 1 begins mid-September), both teams have undergone changes while retaining core pieces from that January clash.
For the Ravens, Lamar Jackson remains the centerpiece after a restructured contract. Derrick Henry continues as the workhorse back, supported by Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali. Zay Flowers leads the receiving corps, with Mark Andrews and Devontez Walker key pieces. New head coach Jesse Minter (succeeding John Harbaugh) and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle aim to get more consistency from Jackson after an injury-impacted 2025. Kicker Tyler Loop, whose missed 44-yarder sealed the loss, enters the year as the starter but with Jake Moody added to the practice squad as competition after uneven preseason results.
The Steelers retained Aaron Rodgers for what he has indicated will be his final NFL season. Jaylen Warren remains a versatile back, with Kenny Gainwell contributing in multiple ways. The receiving group features Calvin Austin III and others, while the defense still revolves around veterans like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward. Mike Tomlin’s long tenure ended after the postseason, bringing new leadership into 2026.
Both sides enter the new year looking to bounce back from the high-stakes regular-season finale that sent Pittsburgh to the playoffs as AFC North champions (10-7) while eliminating Baltimore (8-9).
Match Recap: Steelers Survive Ravens’ Late Surge
The January 4, 2026, contest lived up to the rivalry’s reputation for physical, hard-fought football. The Ravens struck first when Lamar Jackson found Devontez Walker for a 38-yard touchdown in the opening quarter. Baltimore added a field goal to lead 10-0 before the Steelers answered with a long Chris Boswell field goal.
Pittsburgh seized momentum in the third quarter with a short Connor Heyward rushing touchdown and more points to take the lead. The fourth quarter turned chaotic. Jackson connected with Zay Flowers on two long touchdown strikes (including big gains of 50-plus yards in some accounts of the late explosions), helping Baltimore reclaim the advantage. Aaron Rodgers responded with a crucial 26-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with under a minute remaining, putting the Steelers ahead 26-24.
Baltimore drove into field-goal range, but Tyler Loop’s 44-yard attempt sailed wide right as time expired. The Steelers secured the division title and a playoff berth; the Ravens headed home for the offseason.
The game featured four lead changes in the final stages and showcased why this matchup consistently ranks among the NFL’s most competitive.
Key Statistics from the Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match
Here is a clear breakdown of the most important Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats from the January 4, 2026, game:
Quarterback Performances
- Lamar Jackson (BAL): 11 completions on 18 attempts for 238 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception. Efficiency rating around 121.5. He also added limited rushing (4 carries, 9 yards).
- Aaron Rodgers (PIT): 31 completions on 47 attempts for 294 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions. Rating approximately 90.2. He contributed a 20-yard scramble.
Jackson was more explosive on fewer attempts, while Rodgers controlled the game with volume and precision in the decisive moments.
Rushing Leaders
- Derrick Henry (BAL): 20 carries for 126 yards (6.3 average), long of 41. No touchdowns but provided the physical presence that defined Baltimore’s attack.
- Jaylen Warren (PIT): 14 carries for 66 yards (4.7 average).
- Other Steelers contributions included Kenny Gainwell (5 carries, 10 yards, 1 TD) and Connor Heyward (short-yardage touchdown).
Baltimore outrushed Pittsburgh overall (around 137 team rushing yards to 100), yet the Steelers converted critical short-yardage situations.
Receiving Standouts
- Zay Flowers (BAL): 4 receptions for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns (explosive 34.5 yards per catch average). He was the game’s most impactful skill player.
- Devontez Walker (BAL): 2 receptions for 46 yards and 1 touchdown.
- Kenny Gainwell (PIT): 8 receptions for 64 yards (plus his rushing score).
- Calvin Austin III (PIT): 3 receptions for 55 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
- Additional contributors included Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews for Baltimore, and Pat Freiermuth and others for Pittsburgh.
Team totals showed the Ravens with roughly 359 yards of offense and the Steelers with about 390. Pittsburgh converted more efficiently in key situations late.
Players to Watch in Future Ravens-Steelers Matchups
Several performers from this game will remain central to the rivalry:
- Lamar Jackson: His ability to create explosive plays remains unmatched. Health will be key in 2026 under the new offensive scheme.
- Zay Flowers: Proven big-play threat who can take over games against Pittsburgh’s secondary.
- Derrick Henry: Still a physical force at age 32; his workload and efficiency against the Steelers’ front will be monitored.
- Aaron Rodgers: In his potential final season, his experience and late-game poise were on full display.
- Jaylen Warren and Kenny Gainwell: Versatile backs who create matchup problems.
- Calvin Austin III: Showed he can deliver in high-leverage moments.
- Defensive anchors such as Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey (Ravens) and T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward (Steelers) continue to define the physical tone of these contests.
Younger contributors like Devontez Walker also emerged as difference-makers.
Expert Analysis: What the Numbers Reveal
The Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats highlight contrasting styles. Jackson and Flowers produced high-efficiency, big-play offense, while Rodgers and the Steelers relied on volume, short completions (Gainwell’s receptions were a perfect example), and situational football. Henry’s 126 yards proved Baltimore could still move the ball on the ground, yet Pittsburgh’s ability to answer scoring drives and convert late proved decisive.
Special teams decided the outcome—Loop’s miss was the final blow after an otherwise competitive afternoon. Defensively, both sides forced the opposing offense into imperfect situations at times, but neither dominated consistently.
This result extended Pittsburgh’s recent edge in the series (sweeping the 2025 season meetings) while underscoring how razor-thin the margin remains. For 2026, the Ravens will look to improve finishing ability and special-teams reliability. The Steelers must maximize Rodgers’ final year while building depth around their veterans.
Historically, this rivalry features hard-hitting defense, opportunistic scoring, and memorable individual performances. The 26-24 final fit the pattern perfectly.
FAQs
1. What was the final score of the most recent Ravens-Steelers game?
Pittsburgh won 26-24 on January 4, 2026, in Week 18.
2. Who led in passing yards?
Aaron Rodgers (294) edged Lamar Jackson (238), though Jackson threw three touchdowns to Rodgers’ one.
3. How did Derrick Henry perform?
Henry rushed for 126 yards on 20 carries, providing Baltimore’s primary ground attack.
4. Who scored the game-winning touchdown?
Calvin Austin III caught a 26-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers with under a minute remaining.
5. Why did the Ravens lose despite strong offensive stats?
A missed 44-yard field goal by Tyler Loop as time expired sealed the defeat after Baltimore had battled back multiple times.
Conclusion
The Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats from January 4, 2026, tell the story of a classic rivalry game decided by inches and one final kick. Explosive efforts from Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers nearly overcame steady production from Aaron Rodgers and timely scores by the Steelers. Derrick Henry’s strong rushing day and contributions from secondary players on both sides added depth to the box score.
As both franchises move into the 2026 season with updated coaching staffs and roster tweaks, this matchup remains must-watch football. Fans tracking player stats, historical trends, or upcoming games will continue to find drama whenever these AFC North foes collide. The numbers from that cold January night in Pittsburgh will be referenced for years as an example of how fine the line is between playoff berth and early offseason.
