The Pittsburgh Steelers found a way to get the job done in a win-or-go-home Week 18 game against the Baltimore Ravens... but it didn't come easy. The Steelers entered their season finale needing a home win to claim the AFC North title and enter the playoffs, and in dramatic fashion, they delivered.
At first, it felt like it was going to be a classic 'Mike Tomlin' special. In the first half, Pittsburgh lost the yardage and time-of-possession battle, but it always felt like they were a turnover away from flipping the script.
But nobody was prepared for the wild fourth quarter that ensued on Sunday Night Football.
After holding a narrow 13-10 lead with under ten minutes remaining, the Steelers and Ravens decided to exchange blows. We saw four straight touchdowns scored in less than an eight-minute span late in the game. But when Pittsburgh scored to take the go-ahead lead with 55 seconds remaining, Chris Boswell botched the extra point that would have put the Steelers up three.
This gave the Ravens a golden opportunity to mount a game-winning drive. After an outstanding kick return, Baltimore's offense mounted a six-play, 27-yard drive to set kicker Tyler Loop up for a manageable 44-yard game-winner. However, the rookie sliced the would-be game-winning kick.
And just like that, a Ravens special teams misstep might have saved Mike Tomlin's Steelers career.
Mike Tomlin might not be going anywhere after the Pittsburgh Steelers claim another AFC North title
In the week leading up to the Pittsburgh Steelers' season finale on Sunday Night Football, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers and Tomlin could part ways after the 2025 season if they failed to reach the playoffs.
But thanks to a shanked kick by Loop, the Steelers held onto a 26-24 victory. This turn of events resulted in Pittsburgh finishing with a 10-7 record on the season and securing a playoff berth. The Steelers claimed the number four seed and will host the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round.
The wild finish to the Steelers-Ravens game could be enough to keep Tomlin around for the 2026 season (and maybe longer).
In Tomlin fashion, the Steelers won the turnover battle (one to zero) while finding a way to dominate the time-of-possession battle in the second half. By the end of the game, Pittsburgh doubled the Ravens in first downs (24 to 12) and found a way to put up 390 total yards of offense.
Tomlin isn't in the clear just yet.
If the Pittsburgh Steelers have a dud showing in the Wild Card round against the Texans, it could force owner Art Rooney II to take action and finally implement a head coaching change. However, the Steelers' wild Week 18 win vaulted Pittsburgh into the playoffs... and that might be enough to save Tomlin's job (for now).