The 2025-26 NFL regular-season concludes with a Sunday Night Football contest between the 8-8 Baltimore Ravens and the 9-7 Pittsburgh Steelers. All the other games before this no longer matter because whoever wins this matchup clinches the AFC North title and the last spot in the 2026 NFL Playoffs.

Last Saturday, the Ravens kept their season alive with a 41-24 thrashing of the Green Bay Packers. Running back Derrick Henry ran for 216 yards and four touchdowns in the dominant win.

“Man, he did it consistently today, and that's what he's been doing since he got here, so I'm not even surprised,” wide receiver Zay Flowers said of Henry after the game. “I just see his mentality in practice, like how he was hitting the hole all week in practice and how he’s just focused on the game. So, I knew something big was coming.”

The good news for Baltimore fans is that quarterback Lamar Jackson will be playing tonight after missing Week 17 with a back injury.

"I'll be out there," Jackson told reporters on January 1st. “I’ve never quit on my team before. I’ve never quit anything to be honest with y'all.”

Derrick Henry was one person who was elated to hear that Lamar would be returning to the lineup for this game.

“To have Lamar back, does it give us confidence? Me confidence? I mean, it's your starting quarterback,” Henry said on Friday. “I mean, anytime you have a starting quarterback coming to play, everybody's happy. That should be a given, right?”

All NFL fans know how intense this rivalry is. But this game directly determines who makes the postseason, giving it even more importance.

“It's like the playoffs started early,” Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith said on January 2nd. “It's win or go home, and we know what it is, and we know what it ain't. So we’ve just got to come out, play our brand of football, and - if we do that - everything will be just how we would like it.”

Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward knows the historic significance of this rivalry and these games. This will be his 30th time going head-to-head with the Ravens.

“It's either getting to the playoffs or making a lot of noise in the playoffs in these games,” he told reporters on New Year’s Day. “Both teams have aspirations of going far in the playoffs. Rightfully so or not, we've inherited that, but you have to have your best game against them because they're just trying to send you home, just like it's a college game. So, it's really fun to watch and be a part of.”

For newcomers to the rivalry, like Steelers starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, he might not have had many chances to face the Ravens head-to-head, but he has played in a lot of meaningful football games. He argued that when it comes to matchups like this, the preparation is as important as the gameday performance.

“There's a lot of beauty in the mundane. The mundane is Monday to Saturday, where you can actually win games, and I embrace that part of the job. I've loved it. That's why I'm still here, still playing,” Rodgers said on Wednesday. “Obviously, the icing on the cake is game day, but Monday to Saturday is where you win games.”

It can't be understated how important Lamar Jackson's return will be to this game. Yet, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin explained how Baltimore's starting running back is arguably more essential to the Ravens' gameplan.

“I think there's certainly some things that are exclusive to Lamar. And that's not taking anything away from Huntley. It's just certain things that are Lamar and no other human on the planet,” Mike Tomlin said on December 28th. “To be quite honest with you, when things get thick, they play a certain way regardless of who's playing quarterback. Usually, the ball is going to go through the big runner, and that's what we expect.”

Lamar Jackson isn't the only player expected to return from injury tonight. It sounds like outside linebacker T.J. Watt will be on the field for Pittsburgh after missing the last three games while recovering from surgery on a partially collapsed lung.

“We're going to need all the tools we can get,” Cam Heyward said. “Baltimore's coming here and having T.J. back definitely stabilizes our group. But, we're not just looking to throw him out there and everybody be scared. We need T.J. to play T.J. ball.”

Prediction for Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers

When these teams first played, Baltimore outgained Pittsburgh by 102 yards on offense. The Ravens' rushing attack pummeled the Steelers for 217 yards, but it's important to note that rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon didn't suit up for Pittsburgh in that game. That's significant because the Steelers allow 79 fewer rushing yards per game when he’s in the lineup (166 vs. 87). With no injury designation, the rookie DT should be a difference maker in the trenches and should help the Steelers slow down Baltimore's rushing attack. As long as Pittsburgh does a better job with its ground game - which should be easy considering they only had 34 rushing yards in the first meeting - then the Steelers will emerge victorious and advance to the 2026 NFL Playoffs.

Prediction: Steelers 23 - 20 Ravens

How to watch Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Ravens @ Steelers starts at 8:20 p.m. EDT at Acrisure Stadium. You can watch it on NBC or stream it via the Peacock app or YouTubeTV.

What To Do If You Have A Gambling Problem

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call or visit the Council on Compulsive Gambling:

• Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-Call GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org

• CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY – Call 1-800-GAMBLER

• AZ- Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP

• IA – Call 1-800-BETS-OFF

• KS, NV – Call 1-800-522-4700

• KY – Call 1-800 GAMBLER, 18+

• MI – Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help

• MA – Call 1-800-327-5050

• NC – Call – 1-800-662-4357

• NY- Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)

DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Gambling comes with its fair share of risks, and it is important to recognize that when using online gambling sites.

While we review different gambling sites, you should check with local laws in your area before gambling online. Also, all gambling sites and guides are rated 21+ only.

The following free gambling addiction resources can be of help:

21+ Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER