Steel City Underground presents our 2025 Plays of the Year series: a weekly rewind through the biggest moments, breakout performances, and unforgettable highlights from last season’s Pittsburgh Steelers campaign.
The game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens in Week 18—the final game of the 2025 NFL regular season—on Sunday Night Football did not disappoint. And when the Steelers scored on a deep pass late in the fourth quarter, fans were holding their breath.
Pittsburgh started their final offensive drive from their own 35. On 1st & 10, Aaron Rodgers connected with receiver Calvin Austin for a 16-yard gain. That connection may have very well set up the final play for the touchdown.
After an 8-yard pass to Adam Thielen following the 2-minute warning, Rodgers hit Kenneth Gainwell short left and let the running back gain yards after the catch.
On 1st & 2nd down at the BAL 26, Rodgers’ passes fell incomplete. The tension was palpable. Then, with 0:55 left in the game, Rodgers uncorked the genie from the bottle on 3rd down and hit Austin in stride, over the top of a Ravens defender who slipped as Austin made a move, for a 26-yard catch and run for a touchdown. Austin’s speed as he blew past the defender gave Rodgers a huge window to put the ball into.
TOUCHDOWN @CalvinAustinIII!
📲 Stream on NFL+: pic.twitter.com/dPG31vf4d8
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 5, 2026
The touchdown gave Pittsburgh just a two-point lead, however, due to a PAT attempt by Chris Boswell that most fans thought he kicked wide of the goalposts. On review of the film, the PAT was actually partially blocked by Keondre Jackson of the Ravens.
When Baltimore’s kicker, Tyler Loop, kicked their potential game-winning field goal, he missed wide right. Acrisure Stadium erupted into pandemonium as the Steelers won, 26–24, and took the AFC North division as champions.
Check back each week as we continue spotlighting the plays that defined the Steelers’ 2025 season — one moment at a time.