Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
Final Score: Steelers 27, Ravens 22
Writer: Brett Ford (@FadeThatMan)
In a battle for AFC North mediocrity supremacy, the Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Baltimore to hand the Ravens a 27-22 beating at home to take control of the division. Pittsburgh outplayed the Ravens for most of the game, but Baltimore stormed back from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit and appeared to take the lead late in the game. But for the second time in as many seasons, tight end Isaiah Likely had a potentially game-winning touchdown called on the field and then wiped off the board by replay review (Yes, I’m still bitter about that near score in Kansas City to open last season). Despite the Ravens outrushing the Steelers 217-34, Pittsburgh was able to pull out the crucial victory. Let’s dig in.
Two Up
- Zay Flowers — Volume and efficiency, the Ravens finally got the ball back in Flowers’ hands.
- DK Metcalf — The best offensive player on the field for the Steelers got close to the most touches. It’s about time.
Two Down
- Mark Andrews — Another disappearing act after signing a massive contract extension at the age of 30.
- Daniel Faalele — The Ravens’ right guard got burnt so often that even the broadcast team picked up on it.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: 22/34, 284 yards, TD | 2 Carries, 0 Yards, TD
Aaron Rodgers managed the game extremely well, navigating his offense down the field while limiting the Ravens’ opportunities and somehow did it with one of the most putrid rushing performances of the season from his run game. Rodgers’ performance was much better for the real-life Steelers than his fantasy managers, though the rushing touchdown was a nice bonus. It marked his first score on the ground since before his Achilles injury, way back in 2022.
Aaron Rodgers 42 year old belt 🥹
pic.twitter.com/LpeupXQDRy— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) December 7, 2025
Running Back
Jaylen Warren: 8 carries, 13 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 49 yards, TD
It wasn’t a great day for Jaylen Warren as he carried the ball just eight times, but a receiving touchdown saved his fantasy production as he took a screen pass up the right sideline for a score. Warren and the Steelers struggled to generate anything on the ground and quickly turned to the passing game. The matchup against a stout Baltimore rushing defense likely dictated the change. With a soft schedule the rest of the way, I’m not worried about Warren.
Mike Tomlin owns the city of Baltimore
Jaylen Warren makes it a 2 score game 👀
pic.twitter.com/dFBg8AWLEC— Pikkit (@pikkitsports) December 7, 2025
Kenneth Gainwell: 4 carries, 15 yards, TD | 7 targets, 6 receptions, 27 yards
Kenneth Gainwell is going to find a way to be relevant and be a thorn in the side of Warren managers as well. On Sunday, Gainwell had eight red-zone opportunities while Warren had just two. It’s pretty clear who Smith prefers to have toting the ball close to the painted area.
Kaleb Johnson: 2 Carries, 4 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
DK Metcalf: 12 Targets, 7 Receptions, 148 Yards
This receiving corps is DK Metcalf, a large gap and then everybody else. Metcalf is the only Steelers wide receiver worth rostering in most leagues and finally was used like an alpha receiver on Sunday after several light weeks in a row. The first play from scrimmage, Rodgers chucked up a deep pass to his stud pass catcher, connecting to setup a touchdown run one play later. Of course DK has the skill set to be a game-breaking receiver, both in reality and fantasy, but can we really trust Arthur Smith to make rational decisions on a weekly basis and continue to get DK the rock? We’ll see.
NOTE: Metcalf was on the field for the Steelers’ punt at the end of the game, used as a gunner. Not really useful information for fantasy purposes, but interesting at the very least.
DK Metcalf 7 REC, 148 YDS vs BAL Today.pic.twitter.com/2iY4eFyqvI https://t.co/18uRmkEkBE
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) December 7, 2025
Jonnu Smith: 1 Target
Pat Freiermuth: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards
Darnell Washington: 1 Target, 1 Receptions, 12 Yards
Connor Heyward: 1 Carry, 2 Yards
A light day across the board for Steelers tight ends. Pat Freiermuth took the most offensive snaps, but that could’ve been in part because Darnell Washington left in the first half with what appeared to be a head injury. After seeing elite usage in Miami a year ago, Jonnu Smith‘s fall-off has been absurd, maybe even worse than we expected after he was traded to the Steelers.
Calvin Austin III: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 31 Yards
Calvin Austin III‘s only catch of the game came on a go route where he won at the line of scrimmage and Rodgers got it out to him quickly before help arrived.
Adam Thielen: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 4 Yards
Marquez Valdes-Scantling: 1 Target
Ben Skowronek: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 13 Yards
It’ll be interesting to see which washed-up veteran receiver rises to get more playing time down the stretch and can earn the trust of Rodgers for the playoff run. Adam Thielen led this ragtag group with 25 offensive snaps but was used primarily for run blocking, only running 11 routes.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson: 19/35, 219 Yards, TD, INT | 7 Carries, 43 Yards, TD
There were some actual signs of life from the former MVP after several weeks of below-average quarterbacking. It was clear that his legs were back in play, and it impacted the way the Steelers’ defense reacted when he escaped the pocket. Lamar Jackson was on the run a lot, but when he was the eyes of the Pittsburgh defense were on him. The social-media post a little ways down is of the Likely touchdown catch. If he can continue to get healthier, extend plays and make good things happen, Lamar could claw the Ravens back into the playoff picture. For fantasy purposes, Lamar has earned the trust of managers through several outstanding seasons, and should continue to be started despite his recent struggles. This game scratched the surface of what Lamar could be down the stretch.
Running Back
Derrick Henry: 25 Carries, 94 Yards |1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Derrick Henry got the volume that we’ve been waiting for all season long, he just couldn’t find the end zone. He’s still a top-notch running back for fantasy and has an outstanding matchup next week against the Bengals. The Ravens will likely lean on him even more heavily as their playoff hopes are hanging in the balance.
Keaton Mitchell: 6 Carries, 76 Yards
Keaton Mitchell was electric on limited snaps, but left the game in the third quarter with a lower-body injury and did not return.
Rasheen Ali: 1 Carry, 2 Yards | 6 Targets, 2 Receptions, 11 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Zay Flowers: 11 Targets, 8 Receptions, 124 Yards
It’s about time! The Ravens peppered Zay Flowers with targets, as he nearly doubled the next-closest pass catcher and more than tripled the next-closest wide receiver in targets. Flowers is outstanding with the ball in his hands, but just hasn’t had the opportunity the last few weeks. Now with the Ravens barely clinging to postseason hopes, he’ll likely be featured in the final few games of the season.
Mark Andrews: 5 Targets, 1 Receptions, 9 Yards
Isaiah Likely: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 25 Yards, TD
Charlie Kolar: 1 Targets, 1 Receptions, 19 Yards
Isaiah Likely may finally be completely healthy after suffering a preseason injury, and is playing like it. He’s getting open, pulling catches in and gaining yards after the catch (though not so much in this one). His go-ahead touchdown was wiped off the board by replay despite getting two feet down in the end zone. Replay ruled that he did not complete the process of the catch. You be the judge. Full disclosure: I am a Ravens fan.
How can I know what a catch is and NFL referees don’t?
This was ruled not a catch for Isaiah Likely in the Ravens-Steelers game. Swung the game.
Wut? pic.twitter.com/nQNQPOBzYK
— Diggin’ Brigham (@DigginBrigham) December 7, 2025
Mark Andrews was on the field more often and ran more routes than his counterpart, but he caught only one pass for 9 yards this week. The juxtaposition of a poor performance and being outplayed by Likely just days after signing a three-year, $39 million extension at the ripe age of 30, while the 25-year-old Likely is set to walk as a free agent after this season might be more frustrating than the replay ruling on Likely’s end-zone play.
DeAndre Hopkins: 1 Target
Rashod Bateman: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 23 Yards