PITTSBURGH — The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown in the Steel City as the Baltimore Ravens face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football, with the AFC North division title and the final playoff spot in the balance. The game, scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium, pits two longtime rivals against each other in a winner-take-all finale to the regular season. A victory for the Ravens would secure the division crown and a postseason berth, while the Steelers can clinch it with a win or even a tie.
The Ravens kept their hopes alive with a hard-fought win over the Green Bay Packers last week, while the Steelers stumbled on the road against the Cleveland Browns, missing an opportunity to wrap up the division early. This rematch comes on the heels of Pittsburgh's 27-22 triumph over Baltimore in Week 14, but the betting lines have flipped, installing the Steelers as 3.5-point underdogs according to DraftKings odds, which are subject to change.
ESPN analysts have weighed in with their predictions, leaning toward a Ravens victory and a low-scoring affair. Pamela Maldonado, an ESPN betting expert, emphasized the defensive nature of both teams, saying, "Baltimore wants to run and keep Lamar Jackson efficient, not aggressive. Pittsburgh struggles to score without short fields or defensive help. Both teams bleed clock, limit possessions and force long drives. Unless turnovers or defensive touchdowns show up, points will be at a premium." Her analysis points to a game where possessions will be scarce, potentially keeping the total under the projected line.
Lamar Jackson, the Ravens' dynamic quarterback, has been a focal point in the preview discussions. Field Yates of ESPN expressed some fantasy skepticism about Jackson's performance against Pittsburgh, noting his inconsistent rushing numbers this season. However, Liz Loza countered that optimism, stating, "Jackson's rushing numbers have been down all season, and T.J. Watt's potential return could thwart the QB's rushing efforts. Still, Jackson has cleared this number in three of his past four outings against the Steelers." Loza's prop bet pick highlights Jackson's historical success in this matchup, despite the challenges posed by the Steelers' pass rush.
On the Pittsburgh side, the running game could play a pivotal role. Matt Bowen suggested focusing on Kenneth Gainwell as a key outlet for the Steelers' offense, particularly in the passing game. "With a limited perimeter passing game due to DK Metcalf's suspension, let's take Gainwell as the underneath outlet for quarterback Aaron Rodgers," Bowen said. Gainwell, who caught six passes in the Week 14 game against Baltimore, is seen as a reliable target in a backfield that splits carries with Jaylen Warren.
Eric Moody, another ESPN contributor, spotlighted Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers as a player to watch. "The Ravens must defeat the Steelers to make the playoffs, and Flowers is well positioned to help Baltimore get the win," Moody explained. "He has cleared this line in seven of his past 10 games and should find success against a Steelers defense that has allowed the fourth-most receptions and sixth-most receiving yards per game to wide receivers. In four career games against Pittsburgh, Flowers has totaled 20 receptions for 336 yards and a touchdown." This statistical edge underscores Flowers' potential impact in a must-win scenario.
For daily fantasy sports enthusiasts, the experts offered lineup recommendations emphasizing high-upside players. Maldonado tabbed Derrick Henry as her captain, the player who scores 1.5 times fantasy points. "Derrick Henry ($17,100) rushed for a season-high 216 yards — with four touchdowns — in the Week 17 win over the Packers, and he had 25 carries in the first meeting of the season with Pittsburgh in Week 14," she noted. Henry's recent hot streak, including 442 rushing yards and six touchdowns over his past three games, makes him a cornerstone in cold-weather conditions like those expected in Pittsburgh.
Loza also selected Lamar Jackson as her captain at $17,400, expressing confidence in his dual-threat ability. "Jackson's play (and availability) have been far from consistent throughout 2025," she acknowledged. "Still, I'm optimistic that with the division title and a playoff spot on the line, Jackson will cook against a Steelers defense that has surrendered the third-most passing yards (3,924) and five rushing scores to opposing signal-callers (tied for sixth most)." She paired him with Gainwell, who ranks fifth among running backs in receptions (4.1) and receiving yards per game (26.4), expecting him to exploit the Ravens' defense, which has allowed the second-most grabs and third-most receiving yards to opposing backs.
Bowen echoed the focus on Jackson, picking him as captain for his rushing floor even in a projected low-total game. "Even in a low-total matchup, Jackson's rushing floor matters more than his passing volume," Bowen said. "Designed runs, scrambles and red zone involvement give him multiple paths to optimal totals." His lineup included Henry for his volume, citing Baltimore's clock-control style and Henry's strong second-half usage and touchdown potential.
Moody rounded out the DFS tips by again selecting Henry as captain, highlighting his performance in chilly weather. "When the weather gets cold, the veteran running back is just getting warmed up," Moody observed. "Henry finished with 94 rushing yards against the Steelers in Week 14 and should be a major part of the Ravens' offensive game plan against Pittsburgh." He also included Warren, describing him as a touchdown-dependent option who could see 12-14 carries in a shared backfield.
The broader context of this rivalry adds layers to the matchup. The Steelers' last four home games have all gone under the total, aligning with the analysts' expectation of a grind-it-out battle. Rod Woodson, the NFL Hall of Fame cornerback, joined Rich Eisen on ESPN to preview the game, discussing the intensity of a winner-take-all clash between these AFC North foes. Woodson's insights, drawn from his own storied career, underscore the physicality and strategy that define Ravens-Steelers encounters.
Weather could factor in as well, with cold temperatures forecasted for Pittsburgh, potentially favoring run-heavy schemes from both sides. The Ravens' offense, led by Jackson and Henry, has shown resilience in recent weeks, while Pittsburgh's defense remains one of the league's stingiest, though vulnerabilities against wide receivers give Flowers an opening. On the flip side, the Steelers' ground attack, bolstered by Warren and Gainwell, aims to control the clock and limit Baltimore's possessions.
As the regular season concludes, this game carries implications beyond the division. For Baltimore, a win not only secures the North but also boosts momentum heading into the playoffs. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, looks to extend its postseason streak, having made the playoffs in recent years under coach Mike Tomlin. The outcome will reshape the AFC playoff picture, with the victor earning a favorable seeding.
Fans and bettors alike are buzzing about the prop plays and over/under bets, with the consensus pointing to a defensive struggle. ESPN's coverage, including analysis from Bowen, Loza, Maldonado, and Moody, provides a roadmap for those engaging with the game on multiple levels. As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on Acrisure Stadium for what promises to be a classic AFC North battle.
Looking ahead, the winner of this contest will carry the division banner into the postseason, while the loser faces an uncertain offseason. With the NFL playoffs just days away, Sunday night's result will echo through the league, influencing seeding and storylines for January's action.