How far apart are the Steelers and Ravens from another AFC North title?
The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens is considered one of the NFL’s most intense and hard-fought contests. Although some observers might argue that regional pride or coaching philosophies drive this clash, likely, a combination of historical context, game-day intensity, and evolving team identities has cemented its role in defining the AFC North. With each matchup, the rivalry not only influences the outcomes of individual games but also shapes the competitive narrative of the division as a whole.
Despite the Baltimore Ravens finishing 12-5 and winning the AFC North in 2024, it may surprise many that the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t too far away from competing. The 10-7 Steelers had destiny slip from their hands when the two teams met in Week 16. At the time, the Ravens held a 9-5 record and the Steelers held a 10-5 record. The head-to-head matchup decided the division, but the series has been largely lopsided, save for the Ravens winning this year’s postseason rubber match.
Going back to 2020, the Steelers hold an 8-2 record against the Ravens during the regular season. Incidentally, this is the last season the Steelers won their division: but can they close the gap and do it again in 2025?
Let’s compare the two sides and see if the gap between them is that far apart.
Coaching
Coaching philosophies have historically played a crucial role in defining this rivalry. That’s easy to identify as Mike Tomlin has led the Steelers for 18 seasons and John Harbaugh has led the Ravens for 17 seasons. The two head coaches are trending toward having the most head-to-head matchups of any NFL coaches in league history.
In the early years, the encounters between the Steelers and Ravens were as unpredictable as the spins on best free slots by lucky-7-bonus, with outcomes that often defied expectations. While Tomlin has yet to produce a losing season, Harbaugh has had a more recent trend of success, appearing in five postseason games in the last three years with two victories.
The comparisons are close than you’d think, however. Though Tomlin has been “one and done” in four appearances since 2018, Harbaugh has gone 3-6 with one AFC Championship game appearance. Going back one decade, Tomlin closes in on Harbaugh’s performance as the latter was on the hot seat before transitioning to QB Lamar Jackson as the starter. Harbaugh’s 3-6 record in six postseasons rivals that of Tomlin’s 3-7 record in seven postseasons.
Oddly enough, the Steelers still lead almost all of the series history categories over the Ravens including all-time record (36-27), home record (21-12), and playoff record (3-1). The Steelers away record with the Ravens is tied at 15-all. Tomlin also holds a close edge over Harbaugh in the regular season with a 19-15 record.
Needless to say the two coaches are nearly mirror images of one another with long tenures and a history of success.
Advantage: Push
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson has won two league MVPs and nearly won another in 2024 after throwing a career-high 41 touchdown passes and pass attempts, while only throwing four interceptions.
The Steelers have been going through a quarterback carousel as of late, starting their fourth and fifth passers since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement following the 2021 season. Both of 2024’s starters, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, are not under contract for 2025.
Advantage: Ravens
Running Backs
Derrick Henry proved to be a huge signing for the Ravens, rushing for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024. However, Henry turned 31 in January, which is an age that NFL running backs start to trail off on the stat sheet.
Like Henry, Steelers RB Najee Harris is an Alabama product that has appeared to have a slow start in the league. Yet, Harris has had four consecutive seasons with 1,000 or more yards: it took Henry three seasons to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark and a fourth to be named a Pro Bowler.
Harris turns 27 in March, but isn’t under contract to the Steelers. His backup, Jaylen Warren, is more of a complete back ready to become the starter than the Ravens have in reserve. Yet, the nod here has to go to Baltimore simply because Henry is an unmatched force that hasn’t showed any signs of slowing down, while the Steelers will have to address re-signing either of their backs for next season.
Advantage: Ravens
Pass Catchers
Zay Flowers is a great draft selection from the Ravens as is George Pickens for the Steelers. Both players numbers to-date trend favorably with one another, making them a fair comparison. However, the depth behind both is questionable at best for either side, leaving this comparison a stalemate.
Mark Andrews had an off year despite catching 11 touchdowns. His dropped pass in the playoffs sent Baltimore home. The seven-year vet has put up larger numbers in the past, but his 673 yards just nudges Pittsburgh’s Pat Freiermuth, who had 653 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Both teams have promising young second options, including Isaiah Likely and Darnell Washington. Likely should give the Ravens the edge, but Washington is the better blocker. Among the pass catchers, one key addition could put either side over the other, but in total neither has a definitive advantage.
Advantage: Push
Offensive Line
This may surprise many, but the Steelers may not be far off from the Ravens production, the latter of which relied on rookie Roger Rosengarten’s performance. Rosengarten’s college teammate, Troy Fautanu, barely saw the field this year for Pittsburgh: if he can play at a high level, the Steelers offensive line woes may be mostly solved (especially if Broderick Jones performs better as a left tackle than he has on the right for the last two seasons.)
It would be easy to say the Steelers have more question marks than the Ravens, but that’s untrue as Baltimore’s Ronnie Stanley could enter free agency this offseason. In the center of the line, Tyler Linderbaum is narrowly trailed by Steelers rookie Zach Frazier in PFF’s center ratings. Comparing the other interior linemen, Pittsburgh’s Isaac Seumalo, has given up three sacks in the last two seasons on the way to being named to his first Pro Bowl.
Patrick Mekari could be another free agent casualty for the Ravens, while the massive Daniel Faalele may be the only guard left standing if Ben Cleveland (who has been named in some off-field speculation) also leaves this offseason.
The Ravens get the nod here for Linderbaum and Stanley, but again, the Steelers may not be far off from matching Baltimore’s line.
Advantage: Push
Defensive Line
Nnamdi Madubuike and Cameron Heyward highlight each side’s three-man base front, with Heyward edging Madubuike’s 6.5 sacks in 2024 with 8 total. Like my thoughts on Henry and age above, Heyward is up there (he’s 35 going on 36) but has shown no signs of slowing down.
The remaining players on both sides get the job done, but neither set of defensive line rotations is flashy or has a clear advantage over one another. I really want to give the Steelers the nod here due to Heyward currently being one of, if not the best at his position, but the remaining talent leaves this a stalemate.
Advantage: Push
Linebackers
This will be a contentious group, as the Steelers feature T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith up against Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh on the outside, with Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, and Elandon Roberts matched up against Roquan Smith, Malik Harrison, and Trenton Simpson on the inside.
Van Noy and Oweh each had double-digit sacks in 2024, while Watt and Highsmith trailed off their previous seasons. Smith and Queen, former teammates, are frequently compared with one another, both made the Pro Bowl. (Queen was an alternate.) Van Noy also made the Pro Bowl, but Smith was an All-Pro too.
Watt, a former Defensive Player of the Year who was a finalist for the award again in 2024, was All-Pro second team. It’s another group that can go either way, varying on who’s opinion you listen to, but the Steelers are neck-and-neck again. I’d give the nod to the Steelers, just for Watt’s intangibles and Van Noy’s accelerated age.
Advantage: Steelers
Secondary
Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey both made the AP’s All-Pro team, but the Steelers Minkah Fitzpatrick was absent from this accolade in 2024. However, Fitzpatrick is a former three-time All-Pro, while both Ravens are two-time honorees.
Joey Porter Jr. is ascending as a lockdown corner in the NFL, but lacks the talent around him. The counterparts at the safety position are also subjective, while the Steelers are in worse shape to field a compliment opposite Porter than the Ravens are opposite Humphrey.
Advantage: Ravens
Special Teams
2024 is the year Chris Boswell passed Justin Tucker for league-wide notoriety. Boswell was named an All-Pro for the first time in his career.
The Ravens failed to have any returner score a touchdown, while the Steelers managed one with Calvin Austin. Steelers special teams ace Miles Killebrew was named to his second-straight Pro Bowl in 2024 as well, giving Pittsburgh a definitive nod in this category.
Advantage: Steelers
Conclusion
The AFC North is arguably one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, characterized by its physical style of play, passionate fan bases, and a legacy of championship-caliber teams. The Steelers and Ravens have led that charge for years, and while Baltimore has the edge in several categories, this offseason could further close the gap between the two franchises.
For the Ravens, they will have to focus on their offensive line and continue to replenish the defense. Wide receiver continues to be an area they will want to target to surround Lamar Jackson with more weapons.
The Steelers are in a similar boat, as the offensive line could be on the cusp of turning around, if healthy. Receiver is a similar need for a team lacking weapons, but the larger question mark remains who will throw the ball to those players. Until that key position is answered, the advantage in the division will continue to lean in the Ravens favor and their two-time MVP.
