The NFL regular season will conclude in dramatic fashion with the final playoff berth being decided in the AFC North matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football.
The game takes place on January 4, 2026 at 8:20 p.m. ET from Aricusre Stadium in Pittsburgh and it can be seen on NBC.
Ravens at Steelers Preview
Having lost 3 of 4 games and their hopes of winning the AFC North crown rapidly diminishing, the Ravens headed to Green Bay last week needing a win and without two-time MVP Lamar Jackson.
Tyler Huntley provided a steady hand at QB and Derrick Henry ran roughshod over the Packers in a 41-24 victory.
Baltimore did its part to be in this winner-take-all position and they got help from Cleveland. They wouldn’t be here without the heroics of Henry, though. When they needed him most King Henry delivered with 216 yards and 4 TDs on 36 rushing attempts.
Henry is now the NFL’s 3rd leading rushing and his 16 rush TDs are second-most.
- Jackson’s status is still TBD due to a back injury. In 2 starts in Lamar’s place this season Huntley led the team to a pair of wins completing 78.6 percent of his passes with 2 TDs and no INTs. He also rushed for 113 yards on 16 carries.
- Over his last 3 games Henry totaled 444 rushing yards averaging more than 6.8 yards a carry.
- The Ravens will lean on the NFL’s best ground game that averages 157.8 yards a game.
- The yards and points allowed numbers are atypical but the Ravens do have the 5th best red zone defense and 9th best 3rd down defense.
Playing at home in a do-or-die game the Steelers find themselves as a 3.5-point underdog on the NFL spread. That could have something to do with last week’s performance in Cleveland.
With a chance to clinch the division and a playoff berth the Steelers failed to score a touchdown and had their lowest point total of the season in the 13-6 setback.
Aaron Rodgers in his prime would be the ideal QB in a one-game playoff. However, his play this season hasn’t been up to his standards. The Steelers signed him to win games like this and he can prove everyone wrong.
He’ll have to do it without leading receiver D.K. Metcalf, who is suspended for one more game.
- Though Metcalf and Darnell Washington will miss the game there’s a chance T.J. Watt returns from his medical procedure to make the defense stronger.
- The absence of Metcalf and Washington’s early departure last week impacted the passing game. Rodgers had just 168 yards on 21 completions.
- Over the last 7 games the Steelers have 10 takeaways and they’re 3rd in the NFL with a plus-11 turnover margin.
- The Steelers give up a lot of yards but they’ve kept points to a minimum with the 6th best red zone defense.
Ravens at Steelers Predictions
These teams are used to playing tight, low-scoring games and another one is possible. Early January weather in Pittsburgh will likely be a factor and Baltimore’s ability to run the football will allow them to control the clock.
I would favor the Steelers and the points at home, but I’d rather back the UNDER in what seems like a more winnable wager.
Ravens at Steelers Betting Tips
- Even with Jackson questionable the Ravens are listed as a 3.5-point favorite on the early NFL betting line.
- Baltimore was a 6-point home favorite when the teams met in Week 14 and lost outright 27-22.
- The Ravens are 7-6 SU and 5-8 ATS this season when laying points.
- Pittsburgh is the only team in the division with a winning home record at 5-3.
- The total of 41 is the lowest in the last 5 meetings.
- The UNDER is 1-4-1 in Pittsburgh’s last 6 home games.
Ravens at Steelers Head to Head and Key Stats
- The Steelers avenged last season’s playoff loss and ended a 2-game series losing streak with a 27-22 win in Week 14.
- Pittsburgh has had the better of the series over the last half decade winning 9 of the last 12 games and earning 8 payouts.
- The UNDER is 9-2 in the past 11 encounters.
- The Steelers won 4 of the last 5 games in Pittsburgh with 3 wins coming when catching points.
- In 4 games against the Steelers as a member of the Ravens, Henry has rushed for 507 yards and 3 TDs.
