The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens are known for one of the toughest rivalries in the NFL. When these two teams meet, fans expect drama, physical play, and unforgettable moments. And that’s exactly what happened on January 11, 2025.
In this AFC Wild Card showdown, the Ravens didn’t just win — they dominated. With a mix of strong running, smart passing, and solid defense, Baltimore took full control and knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs. In this article, we’ll take a close look at the Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens match player stats, key plays, and standout performances that made this game so important.
Final Score and Quick Game Recap
The final score was Ravens 28, Steelers 14. The game was played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, with over 70,000 fans in the stands. It was cold, windy, and perfect for classic playoff football.
Baltimore started strong and didn’t let up. They scored three touchdowns before halftime, keeping the Steelers scoreless through two quarters. Although Pittsburgh made a small comeback in the third quarter, it wasn’t enough. Baltimore’s power and smart play-calling made sure of that.
The Ravens’ rushing attack, especially, was too much for the Steelers to handle. With 299 rushing yards, Baltimore set a new playoff record — the most ever given up by a Steelers defense in postseason history.
Derrick Henry’s Historic Rushing Stats
Let’s talk about Derrick Henry. The Ravens brought him in during the offseason to add power to their offense — and he delivered in a big way.
Henry ran for 186 yards on just 26 carries, which is over 7 yards per run. He also scored two touchdowns, including a huge 44-yard burst in the third quarter that shut down Pittsburgh’s hopes of a comeback. His performance set a new playoff record for the Ravens and was one of the best rushing efforts in team history.
Henry didn’t just run fast — he ran through people. He forced 12 missed tackles and had 157 yards after contact. That means most of his yards came after the first defender hit him. He was powerful, fast, and simply unstoppable that night.
Lamar Jackson’s Best Playoff Performance
While Henry punished defenders on the ground, Lamar Jackson controlled the game with both his arm and his legs. This was the best playoff performance of Jackson’s career so far.
He completed 16 of 21 passes for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns. That’s a 76.2% completion rate with a 132.0 passer rating — excellent numbers for any quarterback. On the ground, he added 81 rushing yards on 15 carries.
Jackson was calm under pressure. One of his biggest plays came right before halftime. With just 11 seconds left in the second quarter, he escaped a sack, ran toward the sideline, and found Justice Hill for a short touchdown pass. That gave the Ravens a 21-0 lead and crushed the Steelers’ momentum.
He wasn’t just running wild — he was smart. He averaged just over 3 seconds per throw, made the right reads, and avoided mistakes. That’s what playoff football is all about.
Full Ravens Player Stats Breakdown
The Ravens didn’t rely on just one or two players — they spread the ball around and kept the Steelers guessing.
Besides Henry and Jackson, eight different players caught passes for Baltimore. That made it hard for Pittsburgh’s defense to focus on any one guy.
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Isaiah Likely led with 53 receiving yards on 3 catches
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Rashod Bateman caught a 15-yard touchdown on Baltimore’s first drive
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Justice Hill had 4 catches and a key touchdown before halftime
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Other contributors included Mark Andrews, Nelson Agholor, and Tylan Wallace
The Ravens offensive line also played a huge part. Center Tyler Linderbaum had an outstanding game, earning a high performance grade for opening up running lanes and protecting Jackson. The entire line allowed only one sack and paved the way for 299 rushing yards.
Russell Wilson’s Late Surge and Full Stats
On the Steelers’ side, Russell Wilson finished the game with solid numbers — but most of them came when the game was already out of reach.
Wilson completed 20 of 29 passes for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns. That looks good on paper. But in the first half, he had just 44 passing yards and no scores. By the time Pittsburgh started scoring in the third quarter, they were already down 21-0.
He faced pressure all night and was sacked four times. Even though he stayed calm and didn’t throw any interceptions, the offense couldn’t get anything going when it mattered most.
His two touchdown passes — one to Van Jefferson and another to George Pickens — gave the Steelers hope, but Baltimore answered back each time.
Steelers Offensive Player Stats and Struggles
The Steelers had a tough night on offense. Their running game was completely shut down. As a team, they rushed for only 29 yards on 11 carries — a playoff low.
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Najee Harris ran 6 times for just 17 yards
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Jaylen Warren added 6 more yards on 2 carries
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Even Wilson ran 3 times for only 6 yards
The only real bright spot was George Pickens. He caught all 5 of his targets for 87 yards and a beautiful 36-yard touchdown. He showed great hands, speed, and awareness. But oddly, the Steelers didn’t start throwing to him until the game was already slipping away.
Other receivers like Van Jefferson, Mike Williams, and Calvin Austin III made some catches, but none had a major impact in the first half when the team needed it most.
Ravens Defensive Dominance
The Baltimore defense showed up ready to play. In the first half, they didn’t let the Steelers score a single point. They also gave up just 60 total yards and only two first downs. That’s called total control.
Big names like Nnamdi Madubuike and Odafe Oweh made life hard for Russell Wilson. Madubuike had 2 sacks, a batted pass, and made sure Wilson never felt safe. Oweh added another sack and applied constant pressure.
Even when Pittsburgh tried to mount a comeback in the third quarter, the Ravens defense stayed strong. They forced quick throws and didn’t allow any big plays down the stretch. That first-half shutout was their first in a playoff game since Super Bowl XXXV — a reminder of how strong this defense can be.
Steelers Defensive Breakdown and Low Grades
Pittsburgh is known for having a tough defense. But in this game, things fell apart. The Ravens rushed for 299 yards, which is the most the Steelers have ever allowed in a playoff game. That alone tells you how rough it was.
Their biggest star, T.J. Watt, didn’t record a single tackle or sack. That’s very rare. Minkah Fitzpatrick, usually a solid safety, had a bad night too. He missed key tackles and earned his lowest grade of the season. Patrick Queen, who was facing his former team, also struggled with poor pursuit angles.
Baltimore’s offensive line simply overpowered Pittsburgh’s defensive front. The Steelers couldn’t stop the run, and their pass rush couldn’t reach Jackson fast enough. That gave Baltimore the edge on every drive.
Team Stats: Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Match Player Stats
Here’s a quick look at the team stats from this exciting playoff game. These numbers show why Baltimore came out on top.
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Total Yards: Ravens 464 – Steelers 280
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Plays Run: Ravens 72 – Steelers 45
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Rushing Yards: Ravens 299 – Steelers 29
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First Downs: Ravens 29 – Steelers 11
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Time of Possession: Ravens 39:33 – Steelers 20:27
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Third Down Efficiency: Ravens 10/15 – Steelers 5/11
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Penalties: Ravens 3 (14 yards) – Steelers 7 (41 yards)
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Turnovers: Both teams had 0
These numbers tell the full story. Baltimore had more plays, more yards, and far more control of the clock. That gave their defense plenty of rest and their offense more chances to score.
Three Key Plays That Changed the Game
Sometimes, just a few plays decide everything. In this game, three moments truly shaped the final result.
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Bateman’s Touchdown (1st Quarter): A 15-yard strike on 3rd-and-13. This opening drive lasted over 7 minutes and sent a clear message — Baltimore was in charge.
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Hill’s Touchdown Before Halftime (2nd Quarter): With only 11 seconds left, Jackson escaped pressure and found Justice Hill for a 5-yard score. That made it 21-0 and crushed the Steelers’ hopes heading into halftime.
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Henry’s 44-yard Run (3rd Quarter): Right after the Steelers scored twice, Henry responded with a long touchdown run that ended the comeback story.
Each of these plays came at just the right time to swing momentum in Baltimore’s favor.
Coaching Strategy and Game Plan Execution
Baltimore’s coaches had a smart plan — use Lamar Jackson’s legs to freeze defenders and open up space for Derrick Henry. And it worked perfectly.
They used motion on 63.9% of their plays. This confused Pittsburgh’s defense and made them hesitate. Even when the Ravens didn’t throw much, the threat of a pass or a QB run made defenders stay on their heels.
One amazing drive in the second quarter showed just how strong their plan was. They ran the ball 13 straight times, gained 85 yards, and scored a touchdown without throwing once. That drive ate up the clock and broke Pittsburgh’s spirit.
On the other side, Pittsburgh’s coaching was too cautious. They punted on 4th-and-inches while trailing 7-0. That gave Baltimore the ball and momentum, which they used to score again.
Playoff History and What’s Next
This win was huge for Baltimore. It sent them to the AFC Divisional Round and gave them a boost of confidence. Their new run-heavy style, using Jackson and Henry together, is now a serious threat to any defense.
For Pittsburgh, it was another disappointment. This was their sixth straight playoff loss. They haven’t won a postseason game since 2017. Fans are frustrated, and the team now has big questions to answer moving forward.
Baltimore’s strong showing reminded everyone of how dangerous they can be in cold-weather playoff games. When you can run the ball, eat up the clock, and play good defense — you always have a chance.
Bottom-Line
The Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens match player stats told the story of a game where Baltimore simply did everything right. They ran hard, passed smart, tackled well, and stayed focused from start to finish.
Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson were the stars, but the whole team — offense, defense, and coaching staff — played their part. For Steelers fans, it was a tough night. For Ravens fans, it was a playoff memory to celebrate.
Let’s see where this journey takes Baltimore next. One thing is clear: if they keep playing like this, they’ll be very hard to stop.
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