The Pittsburgh Steelers have had many issues on offense this season, but perhaps the most glaring has been the lack of explosive plays. The passing game, in particular, was in the midst of a terrible stretch heading into Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Pittsburgh quarterbacks were a combined 0 for 13 with three interceptions on passes 20+ yards downfield over a period of more than a month. Their overall season numbers aren't much prettier to look at, with just 11 completions on 36 attempts according to Pro Football Focus.
That lack of verticality in the offense made them incredibly easy to gameplan for. Safeties could trigger downhill quicker without worrying about getting burned, and corners could play closer to the line and get involved in the run game.
If Pittsburgh was going to leave Baltimore with a victory and first place in the AFC North, that would have to change. Luckily, they hugely reversed the narrative in their 27-22 win.
Pittsburgh Steelers generate multiple explosive plays to upset their rival Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers started the game with a 52-yard bomb to DK Metcalf, setting the tone for what would be his best game as a Steeler thus far. He finished the game with 284 passing yards and a touchdown, with 121 of them coming off three deep completions according to Next Gen Stats.
Aaron Rodgers completed all 3 deep passes (20+ air yards) for 121 yards against the Ravens in Week 14, with all three going to DK Metcalf.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 7, 2025
Rodgers had just seven deep completions on the season entering Week 14.#PITvsBAL | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/s4oQ3IYHqi
With the running game stuck in the mud (just 34 yards on 17 carries), those explosive plays are what allowed the Steelers' offense to score just enough to fend off a late Ravens' comeback. Not included in those deep balls was a 38-yard touchdown on a dump-off to Jaylen Warren, who had nothing but green grass ahead of him, thanks in part to the downfield success in the passing game.
It is very on-brand for the Steelers to finally break through in a must-win game, especially one against the Ravens. The hope now is that this isn't just a blip in an otherwise difficult season offensively.
It was such a departure from what they had looked like for months prior that it's hard to believe this explosive passing game is remotely sustainable. That doesn't mean that they will immediately go back to being one of the worst deep passing games in the NFL, but counting on it week to week would be a mistake.