Steelers Secure AFC North Title and Playoff Berth in NBC Season Finale
Pittsburgh, Monday, 5 January 2026.
In a winner-take-all showdown broadcast on NBC, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens to claim the AFC North title. The victory triggers a $500,000 contract incentive for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and eliminates the Ravens from postseason contention, marking a dramatic conclusion to the NFL regular season with significant viewership implications.
High-Stakes Finale on NBC
On Sunday, January 4, 2026, the Pittsburgh Steelers secured a decisive victory over the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium, a matchup broadcast nationally on NBC and streamed on Peacock [3][4]. This critical Week 18 contest determined the AFC North title, with the Steelers clinching the division and a home playoff game, while simultaneously eliminating the Ravens from the postseason [3][4]. The broadcast captured a pivotal moment for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who faced Ravens coach John Harbaugh for the 40th time, extending a rivalry that has become a staple of primetime television [2].
Financial Incentives and Market Odds
The victory carried immediate financial implications for Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. By securing a playoff berth, Rodgers triggered a $500,000 incentive clause in the one-year contract he signed in June 2025 [2]. The 42-year-old veteran, who had not reached the postseason since 2021, now has the opportunity to increase his total postseason performance bonuses to 1.100 million dollars, provided the Steelers secure a victory in the upcoming wild-card round [2]. From a market perspective, the result was an upset; the Steelers entered the game as 3.5-point underdogs against a Ravens squad that had been favored by oddsmakers [1].
Historical Context and Playoff Picture
This win ends a significant drought for Pittsburgh, marking their first AFC North division title since the 2020 season [6]. The result solidified the Steelers’ regular-season record at 10-7 for the third consecutive year [6]. Conversely, the outcome represents a franchise crisis for Baltimore. Entering the finale with an 8-8 record, the loss dropped the Ravens out of contention, causing them to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021 [3][6]. The Steelers will now prepare to host a wild-card game, capitalizing on their momentum from a game where defensive grit prevailed, aligning with pre-game betting markets that saw the total points line set at a low 41.5 [1].