The Pittsburgh Steelers won a tight game over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in Week 14 by a score of 27-22. Baltimore had the ball multiple times at the end of the game with a chance to win the matchup, but they fell short. This moves Pittsburgh up to first place in the AFC North, and the Steelers control their own destiny as they could win the division and clinch a spot in the postseason. This was a pivotal game for both sides, and the Steelers were able to come out on top with a little bit of help from the officiating crew.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin on the practice field preparing for the Baltimore Ravens during the 2025 season.
There were several questionable calls that helped Pittsburgh out in this game. The NFL world has been talking about Isaiah Likely's drop in the end zone that was initially called a touchdown. The reception by Aaron Rodgers was also a point of controversy as there was questionable "conclusive evidence" on the replay. However, the league is only admitting to one mistake. The NFL spoke to Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh, and he spoke to the media on Monday, explaining what he was told.
Harbaugh said the league admitted to him today that they botched the Travis Jones call. Cost the Ravens 4 points.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) December 8, 2025
The call Harbaugh is referring to came in the middle of the second quarter on a Pittsburgh field goal attempt. Chris Boswell nailed the field goal and gave Pittsburgh three points, but the Ravens were called for unnecessary roughness as Christian Kuntz was hit by defensive lineman Travis Jones. The NFL doesn't allow the defense to hit the long snapper from the neck up or make extremely rough contact with the long snapper, and that is what the officials were calling in that instance.
AP photo
Steelers' Christian Kuntz celebrates with his team after a game-winning kick in Baltimore several seasons ago.
Kuntz was contacted on the play, but it should not have been enough to warrant a penalty. The penalty kept the drive alive for the Steelers, and it allowed Pittsburgh to eventually get into the end zone. The penalty was essentially a four-point swing as Pittsburgh was able to put seven on the board rather than three, and that wound up being pivotal as the game moved on. The Ravens were attempting to score a touchdown to take the lead at the end of the fourth quarter as Baltimore was down five, and had they been down just one, the group could have settled for the game-winning field goal.
Ravens called for unnecessary roughness on this field goal attempt and it gives the Steelers a fresh set of downs in the red zone pic.twitter.com/FXZ0CUdyeM
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) December 7, 2025
Baltimore has several reasons to be upset. Every critical call seemed to go in Pittsburgh's favor, and the game easily could have gone the other way had some of the calls not panned out the way that they did. Baltimore should have a chance to get revenge when it travels to Pittsburgh in Week 18, which could be a game to win the AFC North and clinch a playoff spot. However, there is a chance that the Steelers have the division wrapped up by that point.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers' Patrick Queen forces a fumble on Ravens' Isaiah Likely in Week 11 of 2024.
Steelers Were Beneficiaries Of Other Favorable Calls
The Steelers benefitted from some other calls, but the league is not blinking when it comes to the Likely drop or the weird situation where Rodgers caught his own pass. The league is staying pat in saying that Likely did not complete the action of a catch because he did not get his third foot down or perform a "football move." Pittsburgh won the game regardless and the Ravens made a ton of mistakes without the referees having to interfere.
What do you think about the league admitting to blowing a call? Should they have admitted to more? Let us know in the comments below!
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