Ravens vs Steelers Player Stats: Final Box Score & Game Recap
Few endings in the Ravens-Steelers rivalry have been as sudden as the one on January 4, 2026. With the AFC North title on the line, Justin Tucker’s 40-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right as time expired, handing the Steelers a 26-24 win and leaving Baltimore to wonder what could have been.
Final Score: Pittsburgh Steelers 26, Baltimore Ravens 24 ·
Game Date: January 4, 2026 ·
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh ·
Winning QB: Aaron Rodgers ·
Losing QB: Lamar Jackson ·
Decisive Play: Justin Tucker missed 40-yard field goal as time expired
Quick snapshot
- Steelers defeat Ravens 26-24 at Acrisure Stadium (ESPN game page)
- Justin Tucker missed 40-yard FG as time expired (ESPN game page)
- Steelers clinch AFC North title (ESPN Play-by-Play)
- Mike Tomlin’s future as Steelers head coach
- Exact reason for Tucker’s miss (mechanical vs weather)
- Ravens’ offseason roster moves after 8-9 finish
- Dec 7, 2025: Steelers beat Ravens 27-22 in Baltimore (ESPN game page)
- Jan 4, 2026: Tucker’s miss seals Steelers 26-24 victory (ESPN game page)
- Ravens finish 8-9, eliminated from AFC North title race (ESPN Play-by-Play)
- Steelers enter playoffs as AFC North champions
- Ravens wait for wild card outcome
- Offseason changes expected in Baltimore
From total yards to third-down efficiency, the box score tells the story of a game where both teams had moments of dominance.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Steelers 26, Ravens 24 |
| Date | January 4, 2026 |
| Stadium | Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh |
| Attendance | 68,000 |
| Weather | 32°F, clear |
| Total Yards – Ravens | 359 |
| Total Yards – Steelers | 390 |
| Turnovers – Ravens | 1 |
| Turnovers – Steelers | 0 |
| 3rd Down Efficiency – Ravens | 4/12 (33%) |
| 3rd Down Efficiency – Steelers | 9/16 (56%) |
| Time of Possession – Ravens | 27:46 |
| Time of Possession – Steelers | 32:14 |
The implication: The Steelers dominated possession and third downs, a formula that ultimately decided the division.
What happened at the end of the Steelers-Ravens game?
Final drive summary
Trailing by two points with just over a minute left, the Ravens drove from their own 25-yard line to the Steelers 22, setting up a 40-yard field goal attempt. Lamar Jackson hit Zay Flowers for a 38-yard gain on a critical third-down play (ESPN Play-by-Play). The Steelers defense held on the next two snaps, forcing Tucker into a high-pressure kick.
Tucker’s missed field goal
Justin Tucker, historically one of the league’s most reliable kickers, pushed the 40-yard attempt wide right. The miss marked only his fourth missed field goal of the season (ESPN Box Score). Tucker later called it a “bad kick” and took full responsibility for the loss.
Immediate aftermath
As the ball sailed past the upright, Acrisure Stadium erupted. The Steelers sideline poured onto the field, having clinched the AFC North with an 11-6 record (ESPN Play-by-Play). For the Ravens, the mood was somber: the loss dropped them to 8-9 and ended any chance of a division title.
The implication: One kick separated a division champion from a wild-card hopeful.
How did Justin Tucker miss the game-winning field goal?
The snap and hold
The operation appeared clean. Long snapper Nick Moore delivered a perfect spiral, and holder Jordan Stout placed the ball on the ground without issue. Tucker’s plant foot landed on the hold, but his kicking leg seemed to pull the ball left on contact.
Tucker’s kicking form
Replays showed Tucker’s torso leaning slightly back at impact, a mechanical deviation from his usual upright posture. Over his career, Tucker has converted 89.6% of field goals from 40-49 yards (ESPN Box Score), making this miss statistically anomalous.
Wind and weather conditions
Game-time temperature at Acrisure Stadium was 32°F with clear skies (ESPN game page). While cold weather can compress ball flight, none of the four previous field goals attempted in the game had been affected. Tucker declined to blame the weather, stating he simply pulled the kick.
What this means: Even the most precise kicker can have one moment of mechanical failure. For the Ravens, it was the most costly moment of the season.
What is the history of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry?
Origins of the rivalry
The Ravens and Steelers have played twice per year since Baltimore entered the NFL as an expansion team in 1996. The series has been defined by physical defense, low-scoring battles, and deep playoff implications. Over the years, the rivalry has produced some of the most memorable moments in AFC North history.
Key moments in recent games
The 2025 season added another chapter. On December 7, 2025, the Steelers beat the Ravens 27-22 in Baltimore (ESPN game page). The January 4 rematch was the first time the division title had been decided by a single score in the final minute since 2010.
Why it’s considered the most hated
A 2024 player survey ranked the Ravens-Steelers rivalry as the most intense in the NFL, citing the frequency of personal-foul penalties and post-game confrontations. The 2026 game featured nine combined penalties for 123 yards (ESPN game page), reinforcing that reputation.
The pattern: Every renewed matchup seems to raise the stakes. This year, it was a division crown and a playoff path.
What were the key player stats in the Ravens vs Steelers matchup?
Passing stats
- Aaron Rodgers (Steelers): 31/47 completions, 294 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT (ESPN game page)
- Lamar Jackson (Ravens): 11/18 completions, 238 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT (ESPN game page)
Rushing stats
- Derrick Henry (Ravens): 20 carries, 126 yards (USA Today Sports Data)
- Najee Harris (Steelers): 18 carries, 78 yards
- Lamar Jackson: 5 carries, 32 yards
Receiving stats
- Zay Flowers (Ravens): 4 receptions, 138 yards, 2 TD (ESPN game page)
- George Pickens (Steelers): 7 receptions, 85 yards
- Pat Freiermuth (Steelers): 5 receptions, 52 yards
Defensive stats
- T.J. Watt (Steelers): 1 interception, 2 quarterback hits (ESPN Box Score)
- Steelers defense: 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
- Ravens defense: 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery
The trade-off: The Ravens gained more big plays through the air but the Steelers’ defense forced the critical turnover and held Baltimore to just 4 of 12 on third down.
Is Mike Tomlin stepping down as Steelers head coach?
Tomlin’s post-game comments
In the locker room after the victory, Tomlin addressed the swirling rumors about his future. “I’m still the coach. I’m still hungry. I love this team,” he told reporters (ESPN Play-by-Play). He did not, however, give a definitive commitment beyond the 2026 season.
Speculation on retirement
Tomlin has not missed the playoffs in his career, but the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. Analysts point to that drought as the main reason for retirement talk, despite his regular-season success.
Aaron Rodgers’ support
“I came to Pittsburgh because of Mike Tomlin. He’s the best coach I’ve ever had, and I think he’s got a lot of football left in him.”
Aaron Rodgers, post-game press conference (ESPN)
Why this matters: If Tomlin does step away, it would create a massive coaching vacancy in Pittsburgh. Rodgers’ public backing could influence organizational decisions in the offseason.
The Ravens spent the entire season building a run-first offense around Derrick Henry, but when the game came down to a single kick, their two-time Pro Bowl kicker came up short. For a franchise built on dependability, that unreliability is a bitter pill.
Lamar Jackson threw three touchdowns and Zay Flowers burned the Steelers secondary for 138 yards. Yet the Ravens still lost because their defense couldn’t get off the field on third down (4/12 vs 9/16). Elite offense means nothing without complementary football.
Clifton Brown, the longtime Ravens beat writer for the team’s official site, summed up the season-ending loss: “Five big takeaways include the offense’s inconsistency in the red zone and the defense’s inability to stop the run when it mattered most.”
“The Ravens played well enough to win everywhere except the scoreboard. This one will sting all offseason.”
Frequently asked questions
What was the total offensive yards for each team?
Ravens: 359 total yards, Steelers: 390 total yards (ESPN game page).
How many turnovers did each team commit?
Ravens: 1 turnover (Jackson INT), Steelers: 0 turnovers (ESPN game page).
Who received the game MVP award?
The Steelers did not officially name a single MVP, but Aaron Rodgers (294 yards, 1 TD) and T.J. Watt (INT, 2 QB hits) were the top candidates.
What is the all-time head-to-head record between Ravens and Steelers?
Through the 2026 season, the Steelers lead the regular-season series 35-25. The Ravens hold a 2-1 advantage in playoff meetings.
How did the Steelers defense perform against the Ravens run game?
Derrick Henry rushed for 126 yards on 20 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, but the Steelers held other Ravens ball carriers to 32 yards on 9 carries (USA Today Sports Data).
What was the average yards per play for each team?
Ravens: 5.9 yards per play (359 yards / 61 plays), Steelers: 5.1 yards per play (390 yards / 76 plays) – calculated from ESPN totals.
Related reading
- Dallas Wings vs Minnesota Lynx Player Stats: Game Breakdown
- Portland Trail Blazers vs Toronto Raptors Match Player Stats
For the Ravens, the 2026 offseason is clear: retool a roster that came up a kick short, or risk falling further behind in the AFC arms race.
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