BALTIMORE (Interstat) — The Pittsburgh Steelers built a commanding lead and withstood a late charge to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 27-22 at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday. Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 284 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Jaylen Warren on a 38-yard score in the third quarter. He also ran for a 1-yard touchdown in the first. The Steelers led 17-3 at halftime and 27-9 in the third quarter. Baltimore mounted a second-half comeback behind Lamar Jackson, who threw a touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely and ran for another score. Kicker Tyler Loop made three field goals, but a missed extra point and a late touchdown pass overturned by replay hindered the rally. The Ravens scored the final 13 points but could not complete the comeback. Pittsburgh improved to 7-6. Baltimore fell to 6-7.

AFC North Rivals Collide With Playoff Implications on the Line BALTIMORE (Interstat) — A critical AFC North showdown with significant playoff ramifications is set for Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Both teams enter the contest with identical 6-6 records, making every division game pivotal for the postseason picture. The Ravens hold a three-game winning streak at home, while the Steelers are looking to rebound from a disappointing 26-7 loss to Buffalo last Sunday. The matchup features a compelling quarterback duel between Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. Rodgers, the veteran signal-caller, has had an uneven stretch, completing just 10 of 21 passes for 117 yards in the loss to Buffalo. In his previous three outings, he has thrown for one touchdown and been intercepted once. Jackson, the dynamic Ravens quarterback, is coming off a loss to Cincinnati where he passed for 246 yards and rushed for 27 more. He has been a consistent dual-threat during Baltimore’s recent upswing, accounting for a rushing touchdown in a Week 12 win over Minnesota. His ability to extend plays will challenge a Steelers defense that allowed 26 points last week. Pittsburgh’s offense seeks a spark after being held to a single touchdown by Buffalo. Running back Jaylen Warren scored that lone touchdown and will be relied upon to balance the attack. The Steelers have shown flashes, including a 34-12 win over Cincinnati in mid-November, but consistency has been an issue. Baltimore’s offense, led by Jackson, is complemented by a powerful running game featuring Derrick Henry, who had a 60-yard rushing touchdown in the last game. Return specialist Keaton Mitchell also poses a threat, having returned a kickoff for a score against Cincinnati. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, the Ravens are projected to win 29-19. However, oddsmakers have installed Pittsburgh as a pregame favorite with a spread of +6. The over/under is set at 42.5 points. The Steelers lead the all-time series 33-25, but the Ravens won the last meeting. The result will heavily influence the tight AFC North race as both teams look to secure a winning record with just five games remaining. The rivals will meet again in Pittsburgh to conclude the regular season on Jan. 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST on Sunday, Dec. 7.