Aaron Rodgers threw for a season-high 284 yards and scored his first touchdown since 2022 as the Pittsburgh Steelers held off the Ravens 27-22 on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to take sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
The Steelers (7-6) moved one game ahead of the Ravens (6-7) in the division standings with four games remaining. The Steelers haven't won the AFC North since 2020 and have a rematch with the Ravens to end the regular season during Week 18 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Rodgers, playing his first game as a 42-year-old, completed 23 of 34 passes. He had one TD, a pass, no interceptions, and ran for a 1-yard touchdown on the game's opening possession.
The touchdown pass went to running back Jaylen Warren and covered 38 yards, increasing the Steelers' lead to 27-16 with 3 ½ minutes in the third quarter. The Steelers needed the cushion as the Ravens rallied in the fourth quarter.
Tyler Loop kicked field goals of 28 and 36 yards to draw the Ravens within 27-22 with 7:15 remaining. However, the Ravens were stopped by the Steelers on their last two possessions.
The Ravens drove to the Steelers' 8-yard line with 2:22 left, but Lamar Jackson's pass was incomplete. The Ravens got the ball back on a punt just after the two-minute warning at their 26 and drove to the Steelers' 38 before Alex Highsmith sacked Jackson to end the game.
Rodgers had a passer rating of 103.1, and wide receiver DK Metcalf had his best game with the Steelers, recording seven receptions for 148 yards. It was just his second 100-yard game of the season after he was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in an offseason trade and signed to a five-year, $150-million contract.
The Steelers managed just 34 rushing yards on 17 carries. Kenneth Gainwell was the leading rusher with 15 yards in just four attempts and scored on a 6-yard run. Chris Boswell kicked two field goals.
Jackson was 19-of-35 passing for 215 yards and one touchdown while being intercepted once as the Ravens had 436 total yards. Jackson also rushed for 43 yards on seven carries. Derrick Henry rushed 25 times for 94 yards, and Zay Flowers had eight receptions for 124 yards.
Cole Holcomb led the Steelers with eight tackles. In addition to Highsmith, Brandin Echols had a sack.
The Steelers return to action when they host the Miami Dolphins (6-7) on Dec. 15 on Monday Night Football.