Steelers vs. Ravens: What they're saying in Baltimore after win

By soundly defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, the Baltimore Ravens achieved two goals, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after the game.

The first goal — win the game, which they did with a score of 34-17 before 71,313 fans at M&T Bank Stadium.

The second goal — make the playoffs. The Ravens clinched a berth in the postseason with the win.

“It’s huge, I rejoice in the fact that we made the playoffs because it’s tough to do; it’s really hard to do,” Harbaugh said.

It means a lot to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, too. He completed 15 of 23 pass attempts for 207 yards and three touchdowns.

“I feel like we’ve been busting our behind all season long, had ups and downs throughout this whole season,” he told reporters after the game. “But to clinch a playoff against a great team like that, that’s great, means we’re moving in the right direction.”

The Baltimore Ravens have punched their ticket to the playoffs, handed the Steelers their worst loss of the season and have a real shot to win the AFC North ????

What a wonderful Saturday ????

— Baltimore Beatdown (@BmoreBeatdown) December 22, 2024

The Steelers came into the game with a chance to clinch the AFC North championship for the first time since 2020, but that title remains up for grabs after losing to their rival and defending division champions.

A big part of the Ravens’ victory came on the legs of running back Derrick Henry who ran for 162 yards on 24 carries. He was the second rusher to pass the 100-yard mark against the Steelers this season. The Ravens focused on their own play, and not the rivalry with the Steelers, Henry told reporters after the game.

“They’re a great team, a great defense, great offense,” he said. “We just had to focus on what we need to do to give ourselves the best chance to win.”

It was the Ravens’ first win against the Steelers since 2022, ESPN reported.

Lamar Jackson had no clue that Mark Andrews’ TD today vs. Pittsburgh was the first of his career. He shook his head in disbelief.

“Damn. I’m glad he got it done.”

— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) December 22, 2024

The Ravens made a major statement with the win, wrote Sports Illustrated’s Evan Massey.

“This is the kind of performance that the Ravens needed to have,” he said. “They have had an up and down season all-around and needed a statement win.”

The Ravens played a cleaner game and, when they did make mistakes, the team was able to turn it around to score points while the running game clicked, said Bryan DeArdo from CBS Sports. Plus, they capitalized on turnovers by the Steelers, who had four starters sidelined by injury.

“(Derrick) Henry looked like former Steelers bulldozer Jerome Bettis as he became the fourth-fastest player in NFL history to reach 11,000 career rushing yards and 100 career touchdown runs,” DeArdo wrote.

CB Marlon Humphrey says he “bleeds purple and black” and is grateful to have his pick six “in the archive” of the #Ravens-#Steelers rivalry. Huge week for Humphrey, whose wife had a baby this week pic.twitter.com/ZAE2S2NUxp

— Bo Smolka (@bsmolka) December 22, 2024

Now, both teams have the same record — 10-5 — with two weeks remaining in the season.

“The Steelers have to be frustrated,” wrote Frank Schwab from Yahoo Sports. “They’ve had a remarkable season after few picked them to go to the playoffs. Their 10 wins, however, couldn’t shake the Ravens. Instead of locking up the division crown on Saturday, the Steelers now likely need to win out to take the division.”