The Steelers are heading into a tough matchup in the Wild Card round of the playoffs
THE Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens battled it out for the final playoff spot on Sunday night.
It was the Steelers that came out on top and now own the No. 4 seed in the AFC.
Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson runs with the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers
The game came down to the wire, with the Steelers only winning because of a missed Ravens field goal with time expiring.
Still, they played well enough to get to that point, and will now compete to make it to the Super Bowl.
But who played well in the win over the Ravens, and how did Baltimore come so close to winning?
Those questions and more were answered on this week’s episode of The U.S. Sun Sport’s Football Xs and Os.
KING OF THE NORTH
Aaron Rodgers performed just well enough to take down the Ravens on Sunday.
It was mostly because he played a clean ballgame without turning over the ball that the Steelers were able to win.
“Rodgers had to throw the ball a lot, all over the place,” NFL expert David Scott said.
“But he was clean with the football, and in this kind of game is really what matters.
“As long as you’re not turning over the ball, you’re going to give yourself a better chance.”
Lamar Jackson did everything he could to get the Ravens the win, but fell just short.
He looked like he was in vintage MVP form, but a missed field goal ended his playoff hopes.
“Lamar stepped up in the fourth quarter,” host Ryan Sanudo said.
“Yes, they didn’t win… but Lamar looked like the old Lamar.”
FLOWER POWER
Zay Flowers was the star of the show for the Baltimore Ravens, hauling in two deep touchdowns passes.
It was the first of which that gave the Ravens some momentum in the fourth quarter thanks to a broken play.
It looked like Jackson was dead to rights in the backfield after two defenders hit him, but he was able to spin out of the contact.
From there, Jackson saw Flowers down the field being covered by a linebacker, an advantageous matchup.
That one-on-one coverage was enough for Jackson to get the ball over the top for an easy score.
“It was a one-man show with Zay Flowers in the offense in this game,” Scott said.
DEJA VU
It wasn’t long after his first touchdown that Flowers found the end zone again.
This time it was a totally busted play that left him wide open on the left side of the field with no defenders in sight.
The Steelers employed a bizarre formation, stacking nine defenders on the right side of the Ravens’ center.
None of those players blitzed either, they all just floated in that area after the ball was snapped.
With no one on the left side of the field, Flowers waltzed into the end zone for the score.
“Totally inexcusable from the Steelers defense,” Scott said.
“I don’t know if this was a miscommunication, if they had different play calls coming in, if they didn’t know who they were covering…
“I have zero explanation for you, all I know is that it’s really, really bad defense.”
Flowers finished the game with four receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
GAME WINNER
Calvin Austin was the hero of this game, catching the game-winning touchdown for the Steelers.
This play was designed for Austin all the way, with the receiver running a hitch-and-go route.
That is where a receiver sprints up the field, stops on a dime, and then continues streaking vertically.
This worked out perfectly, as the hitch in Austin’s route caused his defender to fall on their face.
That left Austin wide open to score the touchdown.
“This is a testament to Calvin Austin’s route running skills,” Scott said.
“He just leaves his man in the dust here.”
Austin ended the day with three catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.
GETTING WILD
Thanks to the win against the Ravens, the Steelers are officially in the playoffs as the No. 4 seed.
However, they are running into a buzzsaw in the form of the Houston Texans.
The Texans have the best defense in the NFL, and are favored to beat the Steelers even though they are the road team.
This is going to be a tough one for Pittsburgh, and they are going to have to play up to their highest potential in order to win the game.
“The Steelers have to be perfect on offense and perfect on defense to even have a chance to come out of this matchup,” Scott said.
News
Confusion quickly spread across the football world after false reports surfaced about Mean Joe Greene — but the Pittsburgh Steelers legend is very much alive. Rumors claiming the 79-year-old Hall of Famer had passed away began circulating online, sparking concern among fans who remember Greene as one of the most dominant figures in NFL history. As messages of shock and tribute started appearing, it didn’t take long for clarification to emerge, shutting down the claims and confirming that the iconic defensive star is safe. Still, the incident highlights how quickly misinformation can spread — especially when it involves a beloved figure whose legacy spans generations. For many, it was a reminder of just how much Greene still means to the game and its fans. But one detail about how the rumor started is what’s now raising the most questions. And it may explain why so many believed it so quickly.
PITTSBURGH Steelers legend “Mean” Joe Greene has not died, despite a viral hoax circulating on social media. …
A post-Oscars night out has quickly turned into a trending topic after Joe Burrow was spotted alongside model Olivia Ponton. The Cincinnati Bengals star had already been part of a high-profile evening, attending celebrations linked to the Academy Awards alongside names like Alix Earle and Tate McRae. But it was what happened after the party that really caught fans’ attention. Burrow and Ponton were seen leaving together, sparking immediate speculation across social media about what the moment might mean. With cameras capturing the outing, the images quickly spread, fueling conversations that go far beyond a simple night out. Neither has publicly addressed the sighting, which has only added to the intrigue. But one small detail from the night is what fans keep coming back to. And it may reveal more than it seems at first glance.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and model Olivia Ponton appear to be back on after the pair was spotted in Los…
New photos of Sarah Jane Ramos are quickly drawing attention following her high-profile split from Dak Prescott — and fans are already reading between the lines. The latest images show Ramos stepping out with a composed and confident presence, sparking a wave of reactions online as many point out the timing of her return to the spotlight. After what was described as a messy breakup, the sudden reappearance has only added to the intrigue surrounding what really happened behind the scenes. While neither side has fully detailed the split, speculation has continued to swirl, with followers closely analyzing every post and appearance. For some, the photos signal a fresh start. For others, they raise even more questions about how things unraveled so quickly. As the conversation grows, one subtle detail in the new images is what’s catching the most attention. And it might hint at where things truly stand now.
A smiling Sarah Jane Ramos resurfaced on social media Wednesday — less than two weeks after news of her messy split…
A heated reaction from Pat McAfee is adding fuel to an already controversial topic surrounding the National Football League. As discussions emerge about the possibility of replacement referees being used during the 2026 season, McAfee didn’t hold back — calling back to what he described as “terrible days” from past experiences with similar situations. For longtime fans, the mention of replacement officials immediately brings back memories of chaotic games, questionable calls, and widespread frustration across the league. Now, with the idea seemingly back on the table, concerns are quickly resurfacing about how it could impact the integrity of games at the highest level. McAfee’s blunt response has sparked debate among players and fans alike, with many wondering if the league is heading toward a familiar problem. But one detail about the current situation suggests this time might be different. And it could determine whether history repeats itself — or not.
PAT McAfee is slamming the NFL’s plans to use replacement referees. The 38-year-old former punter is recalling the last time…
An NFL career that once thrived on upsetting the odds has come to an unexpected end, as the player famously nicknamed “Giant Killer” has announced his abrupt retirement. Known for stepping up in big moments and delivering performances against top-tier opponents, the veteran built a reputation that made his nickname stick across the league. Over the years, he quietly accumulated more than $11.47 million in career earnings — a testament to both his longevity and impact. Yet despite still being seen as a valuable presence, the decision to walk away has come suddenly, leaving fans and analysts searching for answers. There had been little indication that retirement was imminent, making the timing all the more surprising. Now, attention is turning to what may have led to such a swift exit from the game. Because according to early whispers, one underlying factor may have played a much bigger role than anyone expected. And it could completely change how this decision is viewed.
AN NFL star nicknamed the ‘Giant Killer’ has announced his retirement abruptly. The Philadelphia Eagles icon sadly had a career between their…
A recent appearance by Jaxson Dart has unexpectedly gone viral — but not for anything that happened on the field. The New York Giants quarterback was spotted alongside his girlfriend in an outfit that quickly caught fans’ attention, sparking a wave of reactions across social media. While some praised his confidence, others couldn’t help but compare the look to something far more unexpected — with “pastor” jokes quickly taking over comment sections. Photos from the outing spread rapidly, turning what seemed like a normal moment into a trending topic among NFL fans. Dart, known for his competitive edge on the field, suddenly found himself at the center of a very different kind of spotlight — one driven entirely by style and perception. As the reactions continue to pour in, opinions remain split between admiration and amusement. But one specific detail about the outfit is what’s fueling the conversation most. And it’s the part fans can’t seem to agree on.
JAXSON Dart was roasted by fans online for his “pastor” outfit. The New York Giants quarterback has been enjoying the NFL offseason alongside girlfriend…
End of content
No more pages to load
