The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens don’t just share a division—they share a battlefield. This AFC North rivalry is NFL royalty, a brutal ballet of grit, power, and football soul that turns every clash into a must-watch spectacle. Forget mere games; these are gridiron wars that ignite fanbases and flood stat sheets with jaw-dropping numbers. From bone-rattling hits to last-second heroics, each matchup is a highlight reel waiting to happen. In this 1265-word deep dive, we’ll unpack the Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens match player stats from their 2024-2025 season showdowns, shine a light on the stars who define this feud, and uncover why this rivalry remains a pillar of pro football. Ready to feel the heat of this epic rivalry? Let’s roll!
What Makes the Steelers vs. Ravens Rivalry So Special?
Texas high school football might own Friday nights, but Sundays in the NFL belong to rivalries like Steelers vs. Ravens. Born in 1996 when the Ravens arrived in Baltimore, this feud pits two blue-collar cities against each other in a battle for AFC North supremacy. Both teams boast Super Bowl pedigrees—Pittsburgh with six, Baltimore with two—and a shared love for smashmouth football.
What sets this matchup apart? It’s the stakes. Nearly every game impacts playoff seeding or division titles, and the stats tell the tale of two evenly matched squads. As of April 8, 2025, their latest clashes in the 2024-2025 season—including regular season and playoffs—offer a treasure trove of data for fans and fantasy football junkies alike.
Steelers vs. Ravens at a Glance
Here’s a quick snapshot of the essentials:
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Teams | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens |
Division | AFC North |
2024 Regular Season | Steelers won 18-16 (Nov 17), Ravens won 34-17 (Dec 21) |
2025 Playoff Game | Ravens won 28-14 (Jan 11, Wild Card Round) |
Notable Players | Lamar Jackson (Ravens QB), Derrick Henry (Ravens RB), Russell Wilson (Steelers QB) |
Head Coaches | Mike Tomlin (Steelers), John Harbaugh (Ravens) |
Rivalry Record | Steelers lead 29-24 (including playoffs, per The Football Database) |
Latest National Rank | Ravens No. 3 seed in AFC, Steelers No. 6 seed (2024 playoffs) |
This table sets the stage—keep reading for the juicy details!
A Brief History of Steelers vs. Ravens Matchups
The Steelers-Ravens saga kicked off when Art Modell relocated the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore, igniting a rivalry fueled by geography and bad blood. Early years leaned Pittsburgh’s way, but the Ravens clawed back with Super Bowl wins in 2000 and 2012. Their playoff clashes—like the Ravens’ 30-17 upset in 2014 or the Steelers’ 23-16 nail-biter in 2008’s AFC Championship—cemented this as one of the NFL’s fiercest duels.
In 2024-2025, they split the regular season, with Pittsburgh edging out an 18-16 defensive slugfest and Baltimore answering with a 34-17 beatdown. The playoff showdown on January 11, 2025, saw the Ravens advance with a 28-14 victory. Player stats from these games reveal the heart of the rivalry—let’s break it down.
Key Player Stats from the 2024-2025 Season
Lamar Jackson: The Ravens’ Dual-Threat Maestro
- Position: Quarterback
- 2024 Regular Season vs. Steelers: 48/67, 507 passing yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT; 151 rushing yards, 1 TD (2 games)
- Playoff Game (Jan 11, 2025): 16/21, 175 passing yards, 2 TDs; 81 rushing yards
- Why He Shines: Jackson’s MVP-caliber play torments Pittsburgh. His 8.9 yards per attempt and 68.1% completion rate in 2024 shredded defenses, while his legs added a dimension the Steelers struggled to contain.
In the December 21 win, Jackson threw for 290 yards and 3 TDs, including a pick-six setup by Marlon Humphrey. His playoff performance—averaging 7.5 yards per play—proved he’s a postseason force.
Derrick Henry: The Ravens’ Ground-and-Pound King
- Position: Running Back
- 2024 Regular Season vs. Steelers: 44 carries, 348 yards, 3 TDs (2 games)
- Playoff Game: 26 carries, 186 yards, 2 TDs
- Impact: Henry’s 1,921 regular-season yards led the NFL, and his 299 team rushing yards in the playoff win set a Steelers postseason record allowed.
Henry’s 44-yard TD burst in the Wild Card game silenced doubters, showing why he’s a matchup nightmare at 31 years old.
Russell Wilson: The Steelers’ Veteran Gunslinger
- Position: Quarterback
- 2024 Regular Season vs. Ravens: 44/66, 422 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs (2 games)
- Playoff Game: 19/29, 270 yards, 2 TDs
- Storyline: Wilson’s midseason resurgence faded late. His 163 second-half yards in the playoff loss couldn’t overcome a 21-0 halftime deficit.
Wilson connected with George Pickens for a 36-yard TD in the Wild Card game, but Pittsburgh’s 29 rushing yards as a team underscored their one-dimensional woes.
George Pickens: Pittsburgh’s Big-Play Threat
- Position: Wide Receiver
- 2024 Regular Season vs. Ravens: 10 catches, 148 yards, 1 TD
- Playoff Game: 5 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD
- Highlight: His 36-yard score showcased elite hands, but inconsistent targets limited his impact.
Pickens thrives on deep balls, yet the Steelers’ late-season skid left him underutilized.
How Do the Steelers and Ravens Stack Up Statistically?
Offensive Firepower
- Ravens: Averaged 30.9 points per game in 2024, third in the NFL. Against Pittsburgh, they hit 34 and 28 in wins.
- Steelers: Managed 22.5 points per game, leaning on defense. Their 18-point November win was a field-goal fest (six from Chris Boswell).
Defensive Grit
- Ravens: Allowed 205 passing yards to Wilson in November but zero TDs. Playoff dominance included 299 rushing yards allowed by Pittsburgh.
- Steelers: Forced three turnovers in the November win but crumbled against Baltimore’s run game, conceding a franchise-worst in the playoffs.
Head-to-Head Trends
- Last five meetings: Pittsburgh 85 points, Baltimore 83 (tight margins define this rivalry).
- Turnovers: Steelers forced 33 in 2024, Ravens countered with clutch picks (e.g., Humphrey’s pick-six).
What Were the Turning Points in Their Latest Games?
- November 17, 2024 (Steelers 18, Ravens 16): Justin Tucker’s two missed field goals and a failed two-point conversion sealed Baltimore’s fate.
- December 21, 2024 (Ravens 34, Steelers 17): A 13-play, 85-yard all-run drive and Humphrey’s pick-six flipped the script.
- January 11, 2025 (Ravens 28, Steelers 14): Baltimore’s 21-0 halftime lead, powered by Henry’s 186 yards, buried Pittsburgh early.
How Do Players Prepare for This Rivalry?
Both teams lean on film study, physicality, and mental toughness. Here’s a peek at their practice schedules (hypothetical, based on NFL norms):
Day | Steelers Practice | Ravens Practice |
---|---|---|
Monday | Film review, light conditioning | Film analysis, recovery |
Tuesday | Off day | Off day |
Wednesday | Full pads, playbook install | Full pads, run-game focus |
Thursday | Situational drills (red zone, 2-min) | Defensive adjustments, scrimmage |
Friday | Walkthrough, special teams | Walkthrough, final prep |
Saturday | Travel/rest (if away) | Travel/rest (if away) |
Sunday | Game day | Game day |
- Steelers: Mike Tomlin emphasizes discipline—fewer penalties (30 less than Baltimore in 2024).
- Ravens: John Harbaugh drills versatility, preparing Jackson and Henry for any defensive look.
Who Are the Unsung Heroes?
- Kyle Hamilton (Ravens S): 94 tackles, 2 sacks, and lockdown coverage in 2024.
- Kyle Van Noy (Ravens LB): 9 sacks, including a forced fumble vs. Wilson in December.
- Najee Harris (Steelers RB): 891 rushing yards, but only 29 in the playoff loss.
These players don’t always grab headlines but shape game outcomes.
Why Should Fans Care About Steelers vs. Ravens Stats?
Stats aren’t just numbers—they’re the heartbeat of this rivalry. They show Jackson’s evolution, Henry’s dominance, and Pittsburgh’s defensive resolve. For fantasy players, it’s gold: Henry’s a must-start, Pickens a boom-or-bust flex. For fans, it’s bragging rights—every yard matters when you’re facing your arch-nemesis.
Fun Fact
The Ravens’ 299 playoff rushing yards against Pittsburgh? Eighth-most in NFL postseason history!
How Can Fans Follow the Action?
- Live Games: ESPN, NFL Network, or Amazon Prime (playoffs).
- Stats Updates: NFL.com, ESPN, or The Athletic’s box scores.
- Social Buzz: Check X @Steelers or @Ravens for real-time takes.
Tips for Aspiring NFL Players Watching This Matchup
- Study Jackson: Master dual-threat skills—passing and running.
- Emulate Henry: Build endurance for late-game carries.
- Learn from Tomlin: Preparation beats talent alone.
See Also: fballquery.com
Conclusion
The 2024-2025 Steelers-Ravens trilogy—two regular-season thrillers and a playoff rout—delivered stats that’ll echo for years. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry turned Baltimore into an unstoppable force, while Pittsburgh’s resilience under Russell Wilson kept hope alive until the end. This isn’t just a game; it’s a showcase of NFL excellence—physical, strategic, and emotional. As the Ravens march deeper into the playoffs and the Steelers regroup for 2025, one thing’s clear: this rivalry is far from over.