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.

The 2026 Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential brings together two of the season’s most compelling stories: 11–3 Alabama and 13–0 Indiana. As part of the expanded College Football Playoff, the Rose Bowl now hosts a quarterfinal matchup — but the pageantry, tradition, and New Year’s Day spotlight remain unchanged.

Sporting News confirms that Indiana enters as the No. 1 seed, the first top‑seeded Big Ten team to appear in Pasadena under the new CFP structureSporting News. Alabama arrives battle‑tested after a dramatic comeback win over Oklahoma in the first round, a performance highlighted in multiple previews from The Game Haus and NewsBreakThe Game Haus+1.

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on January 1, 2026, live from the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CaliforniaNewsBreak.

Alabama: Surging Late, Dangerous as Ever

Alabama’s 2025 campaign was uneven early, but the Crimson Tide surged down the stretch, winning 10 games and reaching the SEC Championship. Their résumé includes victories over bowl‑eligible teams such as Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and LSUThe Game Haus+1.

Quarterback Ty Simpson has been the breakout star of the postseason, delivering a poised, high‑efficiency performance in the comeback win over Oklahoma. Alabama averages 31.4 points per game, leaning on a top‑25 passing attack and a defense that stiffens in the red zone.

Analysts across The Game Haus and NewsBreak note that Alabama’s experience in big moments makes them a dangerous lower seed in the new CFP eraThe Game Haus+1.

Indiana: The Unbeaten No. 1 Seed With Everything to Prove

Indiana is the story of the 2025 season — undefeated, disciplined, and balanced on both sides of the ball. Sporting News reports that the Hoosiers earned the top seed behind a dominant Big Ten title run and one of the nation’s most efficient defensesSporting News.

Their offense, led by a veteran quarterback and a deep running back rotation, has been remarkably consistent. Indiana’s ability to control tempo and win the turnover battle has been central to their rise from dark horse to national contender.

This is the Hoosiers’ first appearance in a CFP quarterfinal, adding even more weight to the moment.

Broadcast Information

Network: ESPN

Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET

Location: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California

Additional Coverage: The Game Haus, NewsBreak, and Sporting News will provide extended digital analysis before and after the game.

What’s on the Line

The winner advances to the CFP semifinals and moves one step closer to the 2026 National Championship. For Alabama, it’s a chance to reclaim playoff dominance. For Indiana, it’s the opportunity to complete one of the most remarkable seasons in modern college football history.

The 2026 Capital One Orange Bowl delivers a compelling College Football Playoff quarterfinal as 12–1 Oregon meets 12–1 Texas Tech at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. According to The Experiment’s bowl guide, the Orange Bowl is locked into a January 1, 2026, noon ET kickoff as part of the expanded CFP rotation.

This year’s matchup brings together two programs that have surged behind explosive offenses and surprisingly dominant defenses. NewsBreak’s early preview notes that both teams rank inside the national top‑10 in scoring, yet their defensive growth has been the defining storyline of the season.

Oregon: Balanced, Explosive, and Built for a Deep Run

Oregon enters the Orange Bowl after a 12–1 campaign that included wins over six bowl‑eligible teams — Northwestern, Penn State, Iowa, Minnesota, USC, and Washington — per The Game Haus’ preview. Their only loss came to undefeated Indiana, the CFP’s No. 1 seed.

The Ducks average 39.3 points per game, ranking ninth nationally, with a balanced attack featuring 251.8 passing yards and 217.1 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Dante Moore, who sat out a season after transferring from UCLA, has developed into one of the nation’s most efficient passers.

Oregon cruised past James Madison in the CFP First Round, reinforcing their status as a legitimate title contender.

Texas Tech: A Defensive Identity With Big‑Play Firepower

Texas Tech’s rise to 12–1 has been one of the season’s biggest surprises. NewsBreak reports that the Red Raiders have paired their trademark offensive explosiveness with a top‑tier defense that has fueled their playoff push.

Under head coach Joey McGuire, Texas Tech has evolved into a complete team — aggressive, physical, and opportunistic. Their ability to generate turnovers and create short fields has been central to their success.

Yahoo Sports confirms the Red Raiders’ first Orange Bowl appearance since 2012, adding historical weight to this year’s showdown.

Broadcast Information

Network: ESPN

Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET

Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Additional Coverage: The Game Haus, NewsBreak, The Experiment, and Yahoo Sports will provide extended digital analysis.

What’s at Stake

The winner advances to the CFP semifinals, keeping national championship hopes alive. Oregon seeks its second straight deep playoff run, while Texas Tech aims to complete one of the most remarkable seasons in program history.