Baltimore ran for 299 yards against Pittsburgh on January 11, 2025, shattering a 51-year-old playoff record. The Raiders gained 232 yards on December 23, 1973, and no team had come close to that total in a Steelers postseason game until Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson destroyed Pittsburgh’s defense in a 28-14 AFC Wild Card rout at M&T Bank Stadium.
Henry carried 26 times for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson completed 16 of 21 passes for 175 yards and two scores. He added 81 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Russell Wilson threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns for Pittsburgh, but the Steelers managed just 29 rushing yards total. Baltimore controlled possession for nearly 40 minutes and outgained Pittsburgh 464-280.
The loss extended Pittsburgh’s playoff losing streak to six consecutive games since their last postseason victory in January 2017.
Table of Contents
Complete Statistical Breakdown
Final Score and Possession
| Category | Pittsburgh | Baltimore |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 14 | 28 |
| Total Yards | 280 | 464 |
| First Downs | 11 | 29 |
| Time of Possession | 20:27 | 39:33 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties | 7-41 | 3-14 |
| Third Down | 5-11 | 10-15 |
Passing Statistics
| Team | Player | C/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | SACKS | QBR | RTG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIT | Russell Wilson | 20/29 | 270 | 2 | 0 | 4-19 | 42.4 | 121.3 |
| PIT | Justin Fields | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 5.1 | 39.6 |
| PIT Team | 20/30 | 251 | 2 | 0 | 4-19 | 117.4 | ||
| BAL | Lamar Jackson | 16/21 | 175 | 2 | 0 | 1-10 | 82.4 | 132.0 |
| BAL Team | 16/21 | 165 | 2 | 0 | 1-10 | 132.0 |
Jackson posted a 76% completion rate and 132.0 passer rating. Wilson absorbed four sacks compared to Jackson’s single takedown.
Rushing Statistics
| Team | Player | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIT | Najee Harris | 6 | 17 | 2.8 | 0 | 5 |
| PIT | Jaylen Warren | 2 | 6 | 3.0 | 0 | 4 |
| PIT | Russell Wilson | 3 | 6 | 2.0 | 0 | 5 |
| PIT Team | 11 | 29 | 2.6 | 0 | 5 | |
| BAL | Derrick Henry | 26 | 186 | 7.2 | 2 | 44 |
| BAL | Lamar Jackson | 15 | 81 | 5.4 | 0 | 20 |
| BAL | Steven Sims | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 0 | 15 |
| BAL | Justice Hill | 6 | 12 | 2.0 | 0 | 5 |
| BAL | Mark Andrews | 2 | 5 | 2.5 | 0 | 3 |
| BAL Team | 50 | 299 | 6.0 | 2 | 44 |
Henry and Jackson combined for 267 rushing yards, the second-highest total by a quarterback-running back duo in playoff history. Colin Kaepernick and Frank Gore hold the record with 300 combined yards in the 2012 divisional round.
Receiving Statistics
| Team | Player | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | TGTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIT | George Pickens | 5 | 87 | 17.4 | 1 | 36 | 5 |
| PIT | Najee Harris | 3 | 41 | 13.7 | 0 | 21 | 3 |
| PIT | Van Jefferson | 2 | 37 | 18.5 | 1 | 30 | 2 |
| PIT | Mike Williams | 1 | 37 | 37.0 | 0 | 37 | 2 |
| PIT | Calvin Austin III | 1 | 25 | 25.0 | 0 | 25 | 2 |
| PIT | Jaylen Warren | 4 | 19 | 4.8 | 0 | 7 | 5 |
| PIT | Pat Freiermuth | 3 | 15 | 5.0 | 0 | 9 | 4 |
| PIT | Darnell Washington | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| PIT Team | 40 | 270 | 13.5 | 2 | 37 | 52 | |
| BAL | Isaiah Likely | 3 | 53 | 17.7 | 0 | 25 | 4 |
| BAL | Mark Andrews | 2 | 27 | 13.5 | 0 | 20 | 3 |
| BAL | Nelson Agholor | 1 | 25 | 25.0 | 0 | 25 | 1 |
| BAL | Rashod Bateman | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 1 | 15 | 2 |
| BAL | Tylan Wallace | 1 | 21 | 21.0 | 0 | 21 | 2 |
| BAL | Justice Hill | 4 | 13 | 3.3 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
| BAL | Anthony Miller | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| BAL Team | 16 | 175 | 10.9 | 2 | 25 | 19 |
Rashod Bateman stepped into the primary receiving role with Zay Flowers sidelined by a knee injury, catching the game’s opening touchdown.
Defensive Statistics
| Team | Player | TOT | SOLO | SACKS | TFL | PD | QB HTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIT | Elandon Roberts | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PIT | Patrick Queen | 10 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| PIT | Cameron Heyward | 10 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| PIT | Minkah Fitzpatrick | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PIT | Joey Porter Jr. | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| PIT | Alex Highsmith | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| PIT Team | 82 | 47 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |
| BAL | Ar’Darius Washington | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BAL | Roquan Smith | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BAL | Nnamdi Madubuike | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| BAL | Marlon Humphrey | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| BAL | Odafe Oweh | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| BAL | Michael Pierce | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| BAL Team | 45 | 24 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
Baltimore’s defensive line hit Wilson seven times compared to just one quarterback hit on Jackson.
Special Teams
| Team | Player | Position | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIT | Chris Boswell | K | 0/0 FG, 2/2 XP |
| PIT | Corliss Waitman | P | 5 punts, 257 yards, 51.4 avg |
| PIT | Cordarrelle Patterson | KR | 1 return, 26 yards |
| PIT | Calvin Austin III | PR | 1 return, 14 yards |
| BAL | Justin Tucker | K | 0/0 FG, 4/4 XP |
| BAL | Jordan Stout | P | 4 punts, 183 yards, 45.8 avg |
| BAL | Steven Sims | PR | 1 return, 4 yards |
Both teams scored exclusively on touchdowns. Tucker and Boswell never attempted a field goal. Waitman averaged 51.4 yards per punt and pinned all five punts inside the 20-yard line.
How Baltimore Dominated
The Ravens took the opening kickoff and marched 95 yards in 13 plays over 7:15. On the drive’s fourth play, Henry took a direct snap from center as Jackson faked a sweep across the formation. Henry kept the ball and gained 34 yards, getting Baltimore into Pittsburgh territory. On third and 13 from the 15-yard line, Jackson hit Bateman in the back corner of the end zone for the game’s first points.
Pittsburgh went three and out. The Steelers then faced fourth and inches at their own 29-yard line. Mike Tomlin chose to punt rather than attempt the short gain. The Baltimore Banner’s postgame analysis noted how this conservative decision directly gave the ball back to Baltimore’s offense, which then scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession. Tomlin made a similar call later in the half, punting again on fourth and short rather than trusting his offense to convert minimal yardage. Both decisions handed Baltimore extra possessions that resulted in points, telegraphing a lack of confidence in the Steelers offense and giving Jackson and Henry more opportunities to attack.
The Ravens responded with another methodical drive covering 85 yards in 13 plays. Baltimore didn’t throw a single pass on the possession. The Steelers couldn’t stop them. Henry capped the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run at the 4:09 mark of the second quarter. Baltimore led 14-0.
Pittsburgh called timeout on third and 2 from the Baltimore 18. Just 2:05 left in the half. The Steelers hoped to force a punt and get the ball back before halftime. Jackson converted the third down on a quarterback sneak. Baltimore quickly moved into scoring position.
The ball sat at the 5-yard line. Only 11 seconds remained. Jackson took the snap and immediately faced pressure. He drifted right, then back left as defenders closed in. For 6.31 seconds he kept the play alive, moving around the backfield as Pittsburgh’s pass rushers flew past him. Jackson dumped a short pass to Justice Hill with two seconds on the clock. Hill stood alone in the flat and walked into the end zone untouched. Baltimore led 21-0 at halftime after outgaining Pittsburgh 308-60 and holding a 19-2 advantage in first downs.
Wilson led a 98-yard touchdown drive to open the second half, hitting Van Jefferson for a 30-yard score. The deficit shrank to 21-7.
Henry answered on the next possession. On first and 10 from Baltimore’s 56-yard line, he took a handoff and hit the hole at the left guard spot. Joey Porter Jr. tried to fill but Henry accelerated through the gap. Patrick Queen approached from the second level but missed the tackle. Henry reached the open field and sprinted 44 yards untouched to the end zone. The Ravens extended their lead to 28-7.
Wilson drove Pittsburgh 75 yards and threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Pickens down the right sideline. Pickens caught the ball in stride at the 3:24 mark of the third quarter and outran a closing safety to reach the end zone. Pittsburgh cut the deficit to 28-14.
Pittsburgh never threatened again. Baltimore’s defense held the Steelers scoreless in the fourth quarter as the offense held possession for extended stretches, denying Wilson another scoring opportunity.
Historical Significance and Playoff Context
Henry’s 186 yards ranked second in his playoff career behind only his 195-yard performance in the same stadium on January 11, 2020. As a Titan in 2020, Henry and Tennessee upset top-seeded Baltimore in a divisional round stunner. Five years to the day later, now in purple and black, Henry got revenge and set a Ravens franchise playoff rushing record.
The performance tied Henry with Terrell Davis for most playoff games with at least 150 rushing yards (four each). At 31 years old, Henry continues producing at an elite level despite skeptics questioning his age before the 2024 season. According to The Tennessean’s live coverage, Henry’s power broke initial tackles and his acceleration carried him past pursuing defenders, exhausting Pittsburgh’s front seven in the second half.
ESPN’s game recap highlighted Henry forcing 12 missed tackles on his 26 carries. He gained 157 yards after contact, the third-most by any player in a single game during the 2024 season.
Jackson’s 256 total yards (175 passing, 81 rushing) represented his most complete postseason performance. He improved to 3-4 in playoff games. The two-time MVP completed passes at a high percentage, avoided mistakes, and created opportunities with both his arm and legs when the Ravens needed them.
Pittsburgh’s season ended the way it had been trending for weeks. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since January 15, 2017, when they defeated Kansas City 18-16 without scoring a touchdown. Their six consecutive postseason losses came by an average margin of 13.6 points. The offense struggled to score 20 points in five of those defeats. Pro Football Reference’s detailed statistics show Pittsburgh averaging just 24.7 points per game during the streak. They allowed 38.3 per contest.
Baltimore’s defense pitched a first-half shutout for the first time in the postseason since Super Bowl XXXV. The unit held Pittsburgh to 60 yards before halftime and made crucial stops in the second half when the Steelers threatened to make the game competitive. First-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s aggressive scheme generated constant pressure on Wilson and limited Pittsburgh’s rushing attack to minimal gains.
Individual Standouts
The Ravens offensive line, anchored by center Tyler Linderbaum, controlled the line of scrimmage. Per PFF’s initial analysis, Linderbaum earned an 85.7 overall grade (second-highest in the game). He opened consistent running lanes and provided clean protection in passing situations.
George Pickens caught all five targets thrown his way for 87 yards and a touchdown, the game’s highest PFF grade at 86.6. He made contested catches, created separation on his touchdown, and provided Pittsburgh’s only consistent offensive threat despite the blowout loss.
The Steelers trailed 28-14 and were driving in the fourth quarter. Nnamdi Madubuike batted down a pass at the line on second down, then sacked Wilson on third down to force a punt (he finished with an 84.2 PFF grade and two total sacks). This disruption killed Pittsburgh’s final scoring threat.
At 36 years old, Russell Wilson still threw accurate passes under pressure. He delivered two touchdown strikes including the 36-yard connection to Pickens that showcased his arm strength remains NFL-caliber. Wilson posted an 84.9 PFF grade despite absorbing four sacks and losing the game.
Playoff Picture and Implications
Baltimore advanced to face either Buffalo or Houston in the divisional round. Denver’s Sunday result against the Bills would determine the opponent. A Bills victory would send the Ravens to Buffalo for a rematch of their Week 4 meeting, which Baltimore won 35-10. A Broncos upset meant Houston would visit M&T Bank Stadium after the Ravens dominated the Texans 31-2 on Christmas Day.
Henry’s playoff debut with Baltimore validated the team’s offseason decision to sign the veteran running back. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry and broke tackles on 46% of his attempts, production that explained why Baltimore signed him to bolster their postseason roster.
Pittsburgh faces an uncertain offseason. Both Wilson and Justin Fields entered free agency. The team finished the regular season losing five straight games. They got outscored badly in most of those contests. Questions emerged about whether the Steelers should bring back either quarterback or pursue a different direction at the position.
Tomlin’s job security, once considered ironclad, came under scrutiny after this latest playoff disappointment. The coach has reached the postseason 12 times in 18 seasons but owns just three playoff wins since 2011. Tomlin’s teams consistently make the playoffs but struggle to advance beyond the wild card round, raising questions about whether making the playoffs without winning games justifies continued employment.
Key Statistical Insights
Baltimore ran 72 plays compared to Pittsburgh’s 45, a 27-play advantage that kept the Steelers defense on the field for extended periods. The Ravens held possession for 39:33 versus Pittsburgh’s 20:27, a nearly 2-to-1 margin that dictated game flow.
Third down efficiency demonstrated Baltimore’s control. The Ravens converted 10 of 15 attempts (66.7%). Pittsburgh managed just 5 of 11 (45.5%). Those sustained drives kept Wilson on the sideline and exhausted the Steelers defense.
The Ravens committed just three penalties for 14 yards after struggling with discipline during the regular season. Pittsburgh’s seven penalties for 41 yards extended Baltimore drives and disrupted their own offensive rhythm at critical moments.
Neither team turned the ball over. This ranked among the cleaner playoff games in recent memory. Steven Sims fumbled for Baltimore but recovered his own fumble, preventing Pittsburgh from capitalizing on a rare Ravens mistake.
Dan Moore Jr. injured his ankle for Pittsburgh and didn’t return. Jackson took a knee to the back but continued playing. He mentioned after the game he wrapped the injury but felt no limitations during competition.
What This Game Represented
Baltimore ran 50 times compared to just 21 pass attempts, a commitment to their ground game that overwhelmed a Pittsburgh defense lacking the physicality to match up. The Ravens’ offensive approach reflected their offensive line dominance and the dual threat of Henry and Jackson.
Pittsburgh failed to run the ball, struggled to protect their quarterback, and couldn’t sustain drives against an opponent that averaged 6.0 yards per carry up front. Their defense bent repeatedly before finally breaking in the second half.
These statistics document every meaningful aspect of Baltimore’s systematic dismantling of their division rivals in this AFC Wild Card clash. Henry’s 186 yards and Jackson’s 256 total yards of offense powered a Ravens performance that announced their Super Bowl aspirations. Wilson’s 270 passing yards couldn’t overcome Pittsburgh’s complete inability to establish any ground game, a fatal flaw that doomed the Steelers from the opening kickoff.
For complete historical context and additional game coverage, visit comprehensive statistical analysis and player performance data.
Sources: ESPN, NFL.com, MatchPlayerStats.co.uk.
