Ravens’ ground game overwhelms Steelers 28-14 to advance

The Baltimore Ravens defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14 at M&T Bank Stadium in a wild-card game that showcased a brutal, efficient ground attack and decisive quarterback play. Attendance was reported at 70,546 as the Ravens advance to the AFC Divisional Round while the Steelers close the season at 10-8 amid a five-game losing streak.

Baltimore seized control early and never surrendered momentum, building a 21-0 lead by halftime through methodical, long possessions. The Ravens produced touchdown drives of 95, 85 and 90 yards and outgained Pittsburgh on first downs 19-2 in the opening half, a display of offensive balance designed to dominate time of possession and blunt the Steelers’ pass rush. Lamar Jackson capped the opening drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman and finished the first half 16 of 21 for 175 yards and two touchdown passes while also providing roughly 81-82 yards on the ground.

Derrick Henry ran with the game’s physical edge, owning the second half with an explosive long touchdown that extended Baltimore’s advantage to 28-7. National box scores list Henry at 186 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while a local tally offered a slightly lower 182 yards on 25 carries; either way, the Ravens’ rushing total dwarfed Pittsburgh’s. Team totals cited by Fox Sports show Baltimore outrushing the Steelers roughly 299-29, the most rushing yards allowed by Pittsburgh in a playoff game and a mark that eclipses a 51-year-old franchise postseason record.

Pittsburgh mounted a brief comeback bid in the third quarter when Russell Wilson connected on a 30-yard touchdown to Van Jefferson, and a later 36-yard pass to George Pickens added an insurance score. But the fourth quarter produced no scoring as Baltimore ran down the clock with control runs and short, efficient plays.

Defensively, Baltimore set the tone with pressure and disruption. Nnamdi Madubuike recorded two sacks and four tackles while Michael Pierce and Odafe Oweh each added a sack, helping force the Steelers into a one-dimensional offense that could not pick up sustained first downs. The Ravens also overcame the absence of top receiver Zay Flowers, with Bateman and Izzy Likely providing timely catches in a game dominated by the run.

The result reinforces an NFL coaching and roster trend that prizes complementary run-pass balance centered on a dual-threat quarterback. Jackson’s ability to create both pre-snap and post-snap confusion paired with Henry’s downhill power turned the matchup into a study in controlling tempo; Baltimore ran the ball 21 times in the first half alone, an aggressive posture that prioritized physicality over quick-strike passing.

John Harbaugh framed the victory in familial and stylistic terms, saying, "My dad’s proud. Jack Harbaugh’s proud right now. He likes to pound the rock," noting Henry’s running style and Jackson’s disruptive presence.

Beyond the immediate playoff implications, the win matters commercially and culturally. Baltimore’s march into the divisional round fuels local economic activity tied to postseason games and reinforces the Ravens’ brand as a physical, blue-collar franchise that resonates in a market defined by working-class pride. For Pittsburgh, the loss deepens questions about roster construction and postseason mind-set after another road defeat in the playoffs. The Ravens will learn their next opponent as early wild-card results settle, with Buffalo the likeliest matchup if seedings hold.