Steelers Lose First Place in AFC North as Ravens Surge Back Into Control
After once appearing like runaway favorites to win the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers have now lost their grasp on first place.
Upon losing 31-28 to the Chicago Bears in Week 12 with Aaron Rodgers out due to a wrist injury, the Steelers fell to 6-5 on the season. Simultaneously, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Jets at home by a score of 23-10, which extended their winning streak to five games while improving their record to 6-5.
Because Baltimore's 2-0 divisional record is better than Pittsburgh's at 2-1, the former currently holds the tiebreaker for first place. The Ravens were once 1-5 amidst Lamar Jackson's hamstring injury, but they now control their own destiny in the AFC North and have dethroned the Steelers for the time being.
How Did We Get Here?
Since taking down the Cleveland Browns in Week 6, Pittsburgh has gone just 2-4 with losses to the Cincinnati Bengals (Week 7), Green Bay Packers (Week 8), Los Angeles Chargers (Week 10) and Bears. Its wins during that span have come over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, which still stands out as an impressive feat for the team, and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11.
The Steelers have not won a true road game since they took down the New England Patriots in Week 3, and their last victory away from Acrisure Stadium came at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.
The Ravens, on the other hand, have turned things around with wins over the Bears, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Browns and Jets following their Week 7 bye, with Jackson playing in four of those five contests in his return from injury.
What Lies Ahead
With both the Bengals and Browns sitting at 3-8, the AFC North is a two-team race between the Steelers and Ravens for the second year in a row.
In 2024, Pittsburgh held a two-game lead on Baltimore entering Week 15 with a 10-3 record. From that point forward, however, it lost its last four regular season contests, which included a Week 16 defeat at the hands of the Ravens, and finished at 10-7.
Baltimore, meanwhile, went 12-5 and secured a first-place finish before beating the Steelers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
The two sides have yet to play one another this season, though their first matchup is set for Week 14 at M&T Bank Stadium. Ahead of that meeting in Week 13, Pittsburgh will face the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium while the Ravens will face off against the Bengals at home on Thanksgiving.
The last bout between Pittsburgh and Baltimore will come in the Week 18 regular season finale at Acrisure Stadium, which could carry huge implications for both the AFC North and the Wild Card race.
The Steelers are hoping to avoid the same fate that they suffered last season, but the momentum currently falls in favor of the Ravens. That doesn't mean there isn't time for Pittsburgh to flip it back onto its side, though.
BREAKING: Controversial Steelers vs. Bears Game Leads to Suspension of Four Referees
In a stunning turn of events following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ heartbreaking 28–31 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 12, the NFL has announced the suspension of four referees who officiated the game. The league’s investigation uncovered several significant errors made by the officiating crew that directly impacted the outcome of the game, leaving Steelers fans and players questioning the fairness of the contest.
The game, played at the iconic Soldier Field on November 23, 2025, saw Pittsburgh fall behind and ultimately lose by three points. A series of controversial calls—or lack thereof—shifted momentum, culminating in the Bears’ victory.
One of the most glaring missed calls occurred in the fourth quarter when Pittsburgh’s defensive back appeared to intercept a pass from Chicago’s quarterback, but the referees ruled it incomplete despite clear evidence to the contrary. The missed call allowed the Bears to maintain possession, eventually securing the lead and the win.
Another pivotal moment came late in the third quarter when Steelers wide receiver caught a crucial third‑down conversion but was clearly held by a Bears cornerback; the no‑call allowed Chicago to gain advantageous field position and eventually score. Fans and players alike were outraged by the officiating crew’s failure to recognize these critical penalties.
The NFL’s decision to suspend the four referees underscores the seriousness with which the league handles officiating issues. In an official statement, the NFL reiterated its commitment to fairness and accountability, stressing that these suspensions are part of an ongoing review process to uphold the integrity of the game.
For the Steelers, the loss drops their record to 6–5 in the season. Despite the frustration, head coach Mike Tomlin remains optimistic about his team’s resilience. “We’ll take this one on the chin and move forward. Our focus is on the next game, and we will continue to fight,” Tomlin stated.
As the NFL continues its investigation into the officiating crew, the Steelers and their supporters await further updates, hoping for accountability and transparency in the handling of this controversial situation.
