Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin Emotional Following AFC North Title: "Legendary Night"

The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a dramatic 26-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, capturing their first AFC North championship since 2020 in unforgettable fashion. The final game of the 2025 NFL regular season delivered everything fans hoped for, as the outcome wasn’t decided until the very last play. With the win, Pittsburgh punched its ticket to the playoffs while ending Baltimore’s season in heartbreaking fashion. Games between these two rarely disappoint, and Steelers fans will remember this game for years, and it is one that will stick with Head Coach Mike Tomlin as well.

During his post-game press conference, an emotional Tomlin acknowledged that Sunday's win was one of the greatest games in the history of the rivalry.

"It was a legendary night in the history of this series, and so it's humbling to be a part of it," Tomlin said.

Tomlin has seen his fair share of battles with the Ravens during his coaching tenure, but none quite to the craziness that was seen on Sunday night. After a somewhat sluggish first half that felt like a old-fashioned defensive battle, both offenses opened things up in the 3rd and 4th quarter. 

Baltimore took a 24-20 lead with just 2:20 left to play after a 64-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Zay Flowers. The Steelers drove down the field is just over a minute, regaining the lead on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Calvin Austin III, putting Pittsburgh ahead 26-24.

However, all the excitement for the black and gold quickly turned to anxiousness after kicker Chris Boswell missed the point after, keeping it a two-point Steelers lead. Everyone in the stadium knew Baltimore had plenty of time to get into field goal range, and indeed they did. 

Baltimore drove all the way to the Steelers 26-yard-line after a circus catch by tight end Isaiah Likely. The Ravens then turned their rookie kicker Tyler Loop for a game-winning 44-yard field goal, deciding the AFC North title on the final play of the season. 

Loop's kick missed wide right. Jubilation erupted from the Steelers sideline and Acrisure Stadium as the Steelers and their fans celebrated their first AFC North title since 2020. Helmets flew into the air, players hugged, and Terrible Towels waved wildly throughout the stadium. It was pure chaos in the best way possible.

For Tomlin, the win undoubtedly carried a little extra meaning. Rumors have been circulating about what Tomlin's future holds, and if he will indeed return to the Steelers' sideline in 2026; or step away from coaching altogether. 

After years of playoff disappointment and constant criticism about the team’s ceiling, this moment felt like validation. Winning the division against Baltimore, in that fashion, on the final night of the regular season, was as sweet as it gets. 

The rivalry between Pittsburgh and Baltimore has produced countless unforgettable games, but this one will be talked about for a long time. From Jackson and Rodgers trading punches in the final quarter, and then the missed kick that sealed it, the game had everything fans could ask for. 

Steelers To Host Houston Texans In Wild Card Round

The Steelers will host the Houston Texans on Monday, January 12th for the AFC Wild Card at Acrisure Stadium. It will be the first time the Steelers have hosted a home playoff game since 2020, and the first time they've hosted with fans in attendance since 2017. The Texans come in as one of the hottest teams in the NFL, currently riding a nine-game win streak to reach the postseason after starting 0-3. 

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