Few matchups in the NFL carry the weight of Steelers‑Ravens, but the 2025 season finale adds a layer of drama rarely seen in this rivalry. According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the outcome of this game could influence the future of the losing coach, whether it’s Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin or Baltimore’s John Harbaugh.
Both teams enter Week 18 fighting for their postseason lives. The winner stays alive in the AFC playoff race. The loser faces an offseason of uncertainty — and possibly a coaching change.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Pressure Mounts on Mike Tomlin
The Steelers enter the finale under intense scrutiny. BVM Sports reports that Tomlin’s job security has become a major storyline after a late‑season slide and a damaging loss to Cleveland. Some insiders even suggest Tomlin could consider stepping away for a television role if the Steelers miss the playoffs.
Beat writer Ray Fittipaldo told BVM Sports that “almost anything can happen” if Pittsburgh suffers another blowout loss to Baltimore. The Steelers’ offense has been inconsistent, and their defense — once the team’s backbone — has struggled in key moments.
Still, Pittsburgh has responded well in past must‑win situations, and Tomlin’s teams rarely fold in rivalry games.
Two Former MVP’s Face-off
In a primetime showdown worthy of the season’s final Sunday night stage, Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson collide in a Week 18 battle of former MVPs with the AFC North on the line. Rodgers, the veteran maestro still capable of dissecting defenses with precision, leads a resurgent offense into Baltimore, where Jackson’s electric dual‑threat brilliance has powered the Ravens through another playoff push.
It’s a rare meeting between two of the most dynamic quarterbacks of their era—one defined by surgical passing, the other by unmatched explosiveness—and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With the division crown hanging in the balance, Rodgers and Jackson step into the spotlight knowing that one will leave with a championship banner and the other with a long offseason of what‑ifs.
Baltimore Ravens: Harbaugh Faces Questions of His Own
On the other sideline, John Harbaugh is also under the microscope. Steelers Depot reports that Harbaugh has faced repeated questions about his future as Baltimore hovers around .500 and deals with injuries to Lamar Jackson.
Harbaugh acknowledged the speculation, saying coaching is “a day‑to‑day job,” but the pressure is real. SI.com confirms Schefter’s belief that the outcome of this game could influence Harbaugh’s future as well.
Baltimore’s defense remains dangerous, but offensive inconsistency has plagued them all season.
Broadcast Information
Network: NBC/Peacock
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Pittsburgh
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just a playoff elimination game. It’s a potential turning point for two of the NFL’s longest‑tenured coaches.
A win means survival. A loss could mean the end of an era.
