Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Bud Dupree (48) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
The AFC North is a long way from being decided.
Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers starting the season 4-1 and the Baltimore Ravens starting 1-5, things have changed over the past month. Pittsburgh is now at 5-4 and has lost three of its last four games. The Ravens are sitting at 4-5 after three consecutive wins.
On Sunday, the Ravens beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-19, while the Steelers fell to the Los Angeles Chargers 25-10. Both the Ravens and Steelers have eight regular-season games remaining, with two of those being against each other.
How Aaron Rodgers And Lamar Jackson Are Performing
It isn’t just the two teams who are going in different directions, it’s the play of their quarterbacks as well. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has thrown for five touchdowns with zero interceptions in two games since returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a month. Meanwhile, Steelers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled on Sunday night against the Chargers, going 16-of-31 for 161 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions while also taking a sack in the end zone for a safety. Rodgers had his worst completion percentage (51.6) in a game since 2019. Rodgers currently ranks No. 25 in Total QBR at 44.9, while Jackson ranks No. 4 at 73.2.
“This was not my best performance,” Rodgers said after the game. “I got to play better than this for us to win.”
Steelers And Ravens Have The Same Mindset
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t try to sugarcoat how the Steelers played against the Chargers but isn’t hitting the panic button either.
“I’m not lacking confidence,” Tomlin said. “I don’t need a pat on the back. We stunk it up tonight. We’ll be back.”
The Steelers usually get back to winning under Tomlin. Now in his 19th season as Steelers head coach, Tomlin’s had 18-consecutive winning seasons with the Steelers. However, that streak could be in jeopardy if Rodgers doesn’t elevate his play.
Although they’re gaining ground on the Steelers, the Ravens aren’t resting on their laurels after winning three straight. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was asked what kind of statement the team had made now being just one game behind the Steelers – Harbaugh doesn’t believe there’s been a statement yet.
“I think the statement remains to be stated. That’s what it kind of means,” Harbaugh said on Sunday. “We have a long way to go, and that’s where our guys are at.”
Jackson is aligned with Harbaugh’s mindset.
“There’s still a lot of ball left. You gotta stay locked in,” Jackson explained. “Can’t be complacent or nothing like that. Gotta stay locked in.”
Ravens And Steelers Chances Of Making Playoffs
Per NFL Next Gen Stats, the Steelers’ current probability of making the playoffs is at just 39% while the Ravens have a 73% chance. With Lamar Jackson now healthy, CBS analyst Nate Burleson believes Baltimore could wind up being a formidable force the rest of the season.
“After everything they’ve been through, they have a healthy Lamar Jackson. He looks good. A motivated team. We’re not talking about them. This might be the scariest team in the NFL moving forward,” Burleson said.
If the Ravens keep winning and unseat the Steelers atop the AFC North standings, they’ll be part of the Super Bowl conversation.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevorwoods/2025/11/10/aaron-rodgers-steelers-sputter-as-lamar-jackson-ravens-gain-momentum/
