The race for the postseason is unforgiving. Every snap matters. Every mistake lingers. There are no style points in December—only survival. Luckily for Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers, they are playing like a team that understands this reality better than most. Sunday delivered more than just a nail-biting 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions. It delivered clarity.
And by the time Sunday Night Football wrapped up, it also delivered an unexpected gift from their most familiar rivals.
The Baltimore Ravens handed the Steelers the keys to the AFC North.
Fresh off Pittsburgh’s gritty victory against Detroit, Steelers fans settled in to watch Baltimore host the New England Patriots. What unfolded was a stunning collapse. A 28–24 loss on national television didn’t just sting—it reshaped the division race. For a Ravens team desperate to keep its postseason hopes alive, the performance felt disjointed, undisciplined, and alarmingly fragile.
For Pittsburgh, it was the perfect ending to an already satisfying day.
The Steelers did their part earlier in the afternoon, leaning on toughness, balance, and situational awareness to outlast the Lions in a game neither team could afford to lose. That win alone kept Pittsburgh firmly in control of its destiny. But watching Baltimore stumble added another layer of significance. The road to the AFC playoff bracket didn’t suddenly become easy—but it became clearer.
Mistakes that Pittsburgh avoided on Sunday swallowed the Ravens whole.
Missed opportunities, stalled drives, and defensive lapses allowed New England to hang around far longer than expected. And when Lamar Jackson exited the game with a back injury, the sense of uncertainty around Baltimore grew louder. Whether the injury lingers or not, the visual mattered. The Ravens looked bruised, battered, and discouraged.
Pittsburgh Steelers are in the perfect position to win the AFC North after the Ravens' primetime loss
Meanwhile, momentum is surging in the Steel City.
That contrast is impossible to ignore. Pittsburgh is finding answers late in the season—rediscovering its identity through physical football, disciplined execution, and leadership that doesn’t flinch under pressure. Baltimore, once viewed as the team to beat, now looks vulnerable at the worst possible time. Injuries are piling up. Confidence is slipping. And the margin for error is shrinking by the week.
If the Steelers plan to strike, the time is now.
Divisions aren’t won in November headlines—they’re secured in December resolve. The Steelers have endured their share of frustration this season, including a mid-year stretch that raised legitimate questions about their ceiling. But football has a way of rewarding teams that stay connected. Tomlin’s group hasn’t splintered. Instead, they’ve tightened their grip when it mattered most.
Watching a rival self-destruct never gets old, but this one felt different. This wasn’t just schadenfreude—it was opportunity. Baltimore didn’t just lose a game; they surrendered leverage. In a division as physical and prideful as the AFC North, those moments are rare and costly.
Pittsburgh didn’t ask for help. But when it arrived, they recognized it immediately.
Now the challenge shifts. Opportunity means nothing without execution. The Steelers must continue stacking disciplined performances, understanding that the door Baltimore cracked open won’t stay that way forever. A win against the Browns in Week 17 will give them the AFC North crown. So would a Ravens loss against the Packers.
In December football, that’s all you can ask for.