The 2025 NFL regular season ends with the highest possible stakes: Steelers vs. Ravens for the AFC North championship, with the winner heading to the playoffs and the loser beginning an early offseason. NBC Sports framed it bluntly: “Everything is on the line… the winner becomes AFC North champion, and the loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.” CBS Sports echoed the same urgency, calling it a “do‑or‑die matchup for the division.”
Players and analysts have not held back. As Yahoo Sports noted, the Ravens enter knowing “everything to play for” in a rivalry where the margins are razor thin. Former Steelers and Ravens players have long called this the NFL’s most physical, most competitive rivalry — a sentiment reinforced by decades of games decided by epic games.
The NFL’s Fiercest Rivalry Since 2000
Since Art Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore in 1996, no rivalry has matched Steelers–Ravens for intensity, physicality, and postseason stakes. The teams have met repeatedly in high‑leverage games, including playoff battles like Baltimore’s 28–14 win in January 2025. No two coaches in the league have faced each other more than Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh, who meet for the 39th time.Tomlin leads Harbaugh 21–16, including a 2–1 edge in playoff games.
Overall statistics underscore the balance: Pittsburgh and Baltimore have traded division titles, playoff berths, and defensive dominance for two decades. Games are routinely decided by fewer than seven points, and both franchises pride themselves on toughness and continuity.
On the Record: The Toughest Rivalry in Football
No rivalry in the NFL has ever matched the violence, respect, and emotional voltage of Steelers–Ravens, and the legends who built it have never been shy about saying so. Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed, reflecting on the 2000s battles, said the rivalry’s brutality was rooted in respect, a sentiment echoed when former Steeler Ryan Clark recalled Reed telling him that “the physicality of those games played out as hate, but in truth it was about respect.” Ravens icon Ray Lewis, speaking about the era defined by Reed and Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, emphasized how unique the matchup was, noting that the Steelers brought out a different level of intensity every time Baltimore lined up against them. Polamalu, widely regarded as one of the most instinctive defenders in league history, was described by quarterback former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco as one of the two toughest defenders he ever faced — “Troy was up in the box… he could blitz, cover a running back, cover a tight end… he changed everything you did.”
And then there was the fire of Joey Porter, whose name became synonymous with the rivalry’s edge. Porter’s son, Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., recently reminded everyone where that energy came from, saying, “There was a point where dudes were getting knocked down every game… when the Steelers and Ravens play, somebody’s not gonna make it through the whole game.” Porter Jr. added that his father raised him to feel the rivalry deeply: “I never really liked those guys… it’s either Steelers or nobody.” The elder Porter’s intensity was legendary — from trash‑talking entire sidelines to nearly fighting Ray Lewis outside Heinz Field, moments documented in the Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette’s reporting on the rivalry’s early‑2000s peak.
We Pause For Some History:The Rooney’s and Modell — A Friendship Beneath the Fire
Despite the ferocity on the field, the rivalry was built on surprising friendship. Reporting from the Baltimore Sun and Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette has long documented the bond between Dan and Tim Rooney and Art Modell, dating back to the AFL‑NFL merger. Modell famously convinced the Rooney’s and Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom to accept financial compensation to move into the newly formed AFC — a decision that shaped modern football.
When Modell relocated the franchise to Baltimore, it was the Rooney family — owners of the historic Shamrock Farms in Carroll County, where they’ve raised horses since 1948 — who helped him find a home in Owings Mills. That bond has endured for decades, even as their teams have spent 25 years trying to knock each other out of the playoffs.
Rodgers vs. Jackson — Two MVPs, One Stage
This finale features a rare prime‑time duel between MVP quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers enters with 2,860 passing yards, 23 TDs, and a 66.7% completion rate, while Lamar Jackson counters with 2,311 yards, 18 TDs, and 340 rushing yards. Jackson has battled injuries in recent weeks, with ESPN noting his limited availability late in the season, but he is expected to play.
Rodgers, meanwhile, has been publicly backed by Rob Gronkowski, who told Yahoo Sports: “They got Aaron Rodgers — that changes everything.”
Harbaugh vs. Tomlin — A Coaching Rivalry for the Ages
NBC Sports reports that Tomlin and Harbaugh have faced each other more than any active coaching duo — 39 meetings, trailing only Halas vs. Lambeau in NFL history. ESPN Insights recently highlighted Tomlin’s 22 career wins over Harbaugh, the most one coach has ever recorded over another in the Super Bowl era.
Both coaches enter under scrutiny after inconsistent seasons, and multiple outlets have speculated that the loser could face organizational changes.
A Rivalry’s First — Everything Comes Down to Week 18
For the first time in a rivalry built on violence, respect, and razor‑thin margins, Pittsburgh and Baltimore will meet on the final weekend of the season with the AFC North title and a winner‑take‑all playoff berth on the line. Sunday night may be the most consequential chapter yet — not just because the division hangs in the balance, but because the futures of everyone involved could be shaped by the outcome.
The loser walks into an offseason full of uncertainty, and that cloud hangs over both sidelines. Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh, two of the NFL’s most respected coaches, are suddenly facing whispers about job security after inconsistent seasons. A loss here won’t just end a playoff run — it could accelerate conversations neither franchise ever expected to have.
And the quarterback stakes are just as dramatic. Is this Aaron Rodgers’ final season, or will he return for one more run? Even inside the building, no one seems to know. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are staring at a looming contract restructuring, one that could reshape the entire roster and determine how long Baltimore can keep its championship window open.
So when Pittsburgh and Baltimore meet for the 39th time under Tomlin and Harbaugh, it’s more than a rivalry game. It’s a crossroads. One team will claim the division and a path forward. The other will wake up Monday facing hard questions, tough decisions, and an offseason that could redefine the franchise.
Broadcast:TV: NBC Sunday Night Football (Tirico, Collinsworth, Stark)
Building on the tech-infused, arena-based success of the men’s TGL, this new league is designed to bring women’s golf into a high-octane, prime-time environment. Here is everything you need to know about the launch, the players, and the financial landscape of WTGL.
2025 Mike Ehrmann/TGL
What is WTGL? The Future of Women’s Golf
WTGL is a tech-driven, indoor simulator league that features the world’s best LPGA stars. Unlike traditional 72-hole stroke play across vast courses, WTGL matches are held in a custom-built arena, combining a massive simulator for long shots with a dynamic, motorized chipping and putting complex for the short game.
Key Dates for 2026 and Beyond
* Inaugural Season: The league is scheduled to debut in Winter 2026-27.
* The Schedule: Matches will take place during the LPGA offseason (typically between late November and January), ensuring no conflict with the traditional tour schedule.
* Venue: All matches will be played at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida—the same state-of-the-art, 1,500-seat venue used by the men’s TGL.
Who’s Involved? Teams and Ownership
While the full roster of players and team names is still being finalized, the “founding fathers” and investors of the league are already making waves.
The Power Players
* TMRW Sports: Led by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and CEO Mike McCarley, the group provides the technological backbone and the SoFi Center venue.
* The LPGA: Commissioner Craig Kessler has championed WTGL as a “pillar of visibility” to grow the fan base and commercial value of the athletes.
Early Ownership & Investors
The team structure will mirror the men’s league, with city-based franchises.
* Alexis Ohanian: The Reddit co-founder and lead owner of Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC) has expressed “first right of refusal” for a women’s team in LA.
* Celebrity Backing: Current TGL investors like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Michelle Wie West are expected to play significant roles in the expansion of the women’s division.
Nelly Korda
Athletes: Who Will Compete?
While the official roster will be released throughout 2026, the league is built specifically for LPGA Tour Stars. Fans can expect to see the biggest names in the game—potentially including icons like Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, or Rose Zhang—competing in a “mic’d up” environment that emphasizes personality and team strategy.
Money, Profits, and Sponsorships
The financial outlook for women’s golf in 2026 is at an all-time high, and WTGL is a major catalyst.
2026 Financial Landscape
A record-breaking $132 million across 33 events.
WTGL Commercial Model is Expected to follow the TGL blueprint: high-value media rights and “simulcast” sponsorship.
Title Sponsor will be SoFi which remains the primary venue partner, with more league-wide sponsors to be named in mid-2026.
Investment Strategy will include Teams being sold as high-growth tech/sports assets, similar to NWSL or WNBA franchises.
Sponsorship Value
The draw for sponsors like FM Global, Ally Financial, and KPMG (who are already heavily invested in the LPGA) is the demographic. TGL’s inaugural season drew the second-youngest audience in sports (behind only the NBA). WTGL aims to capture that same Gen Z and Millennial interest, offering brands a “prime-time” window that traditional golf often misses.
Craig Kessler LPGA Commissioner
Why It Matters: The Growth of the Game
WTGL isn’t just a new tournament; it’s a shift in how golf is consumed. By moving the game into a 2-hour, fast-paced format, the LPGA is looking to:
* Increase Visibility: Putting female athletes on national TV during the winter months.
* Highlight Personalities: Using mic’d up players to build “fan-to-athlete” connections.
* Drive Innovation: Proving that women’s sports can lead in the “Sportainment” category.
> “WTGL creates another global stage for our athletes—one that helps fans connect more deeply with them and continues to elevate the visibility and growth of women’s golf.” — Craig Kessler, LPGA Commissioner
Very few football experts in January of 1969 thought the Jets could be competitive against Baltimore.
On January 11th, 1969, the thinking about the nearly officially named Super bowl was this. Baltimore was going to beat the New York Jets and the game would not be close. The National Football League would continue to show its superiority in the biggest game of them all, the Super Bowl. In 1967, Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers easily beat the American Football League’s Kansas City and in 1968, Lombardi’s Packers defeated the American Football League’s Oakland Raiders. Of course, what was omitted in that thinking was that Lombardi’s Packers beat almost everyone and won NFL Championships in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1967.
The AFL’s New York Jets-NFL’s Baltimore Colts game was the turning point in the popularity of the Super Bowl. The National Football League and most of the football media thought the old league would just be better all the time and that dominance was going to carry on well into the 1970s. There was a thought that somehow the NFL needed to come up with a new formula so that just NFL teams would appear in the Super Bowl. That would make the game more competitive and appealing.
The New York Jets franchise led by the owner Sonny Werblin was the free spending rebels from the rebel league although Werblin was gone as one of the Jets organization’s owners in 1968. New York quarterback Joe Namath had a large contract, wore long hair and played in white shoes. The Colts quarterbacks, Earl Morrall and Johnny Unitas both had crew cuts. Namath was known as Broadway Joe, a nickname given to him by former Colt and Jet offensive lineman Sherman Plunkett. Unitas was known as Johnny U and wore black high-top shoes.
Namath had a public perception of being a playboy who enjoyed New York life to its fullest and was a braggart. Unitas had little to say.
While the Jets coach Weeb Ewbank was studying films of the Colts and analyzing why the Chiefs and Raiders lost, Namath was talking and was ahead of his time as a trash talk pioneer. Except Namath only said two things and was probably only echoing what his coaching staff and teammates were thinking.
Namath said there were four quarterbacks in the AFL who were better than Morrall, the Colts starter and then said, “We are going to win this game. I guarantee it.”
Ewbank had to convince his Jets to keep quiet and play football and not say a thing about beating Baltimore. He was in one way seeking NFL respect but in another way laughing at the Super Bowl. Weeb knew his Jets could win and the AFL was a quality league.
“They weren’t giving the AFL anything,” he said years later. “I thought there were two great teams in Super Bowl I and II. They were fine ball clubs. I don’t think there has ever been much better material than they had at Kansas City. They had great athletes and the Raiders were a good football team.
“In both games, they let themselves get upset. In the first game, they had an interception in the third quarter and the Chiefs weren’t any good in the ballgame after that after Green Bay scored. Then the Raider game, they had a dropped punt and a recovery and then they weren’t in the game anymore.
“When we went into out game, we said no matter what happened, we weren’t going to let it upset us. Whether it be an official call, an interception, a fumble or what. Why we weren’t going to let that upset us. We were going to stick to the game plan.”
But one thing Ewbank didn’t count on was Namath sounding more like Muhammad Ali than the average football player.
Ewbank brought the Jets to Fort Lauderdale to work out prior to the game. The Jets stayed at the Galt Ocean Mile Hotel where Namath was given the same room that Vince Lombardi used the year before. The Jets trained at the New York Yankees Fort Lauderdale spring training complex and he was given Mickey Mantle’s locker. Twists of fate?
Maybe, but Namath broke the athlete’s code. He guaranteed a win. Ewbank was not amused.
“We had gone down there as 17 points underdogs which I liked,” he recalled. “I told the guys don’t pay any attention to what I say because I want to try to make it 21 if I can. Don’t you guys do anything to stir them up. Well, I could have shot Joe when he said that.”
But Namath and the Jets were confident and really believed they were better than the Colts.
“That’s true and I understood Coach Ewbank,” said Namath. “The next day I saw Coach Ewbank and he said my goodness these guys (the Colts) are overconfident and I have been working on that and here you are giving them fuel to get fired up for the game.
“I simply said, Coach if they need clippings to fire them up, then they are in trouble. That was that. He made me aware that he was very upset that I had said what I did and I felt badly about it after that. Fortunately we won.”
The Jets did go out and won 16-7. The AFL had arrived nearly 10 years after Hunt and Bud Adams decided to go ahead with their plan.
The Jets apparently didn’t think too highly of the Tiffany Trophy the organization received for winning the game. The team left it behind in Miami’s Orange Bowl in a backroom and returned to New York.
“The important thing was we won,” said Namath.
Namath, Ewbank and the rest of the Jets permanently etched the term Super Bowl into the American mindset. Namath, the quarterback, became a TV host, sex symbol, rebel, hero and salesman. The Jets victory that day might have been crushing for old line NFL owners and the sports media that fawned over the NFL, but NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle saw a silver lining. In the NFL Publication, The Super Bowl, Celebrating a Quarter of a Century of America’s Greatest Game, Rozelle admitted the Jets’ upset that day mushroomed interest in football.
An excerpt from the book “America’s Passion: How a Coal Miner’s Game Became the NFL in the 20th Century”.
This game might be something similar to the Peach Bowl back in 2022. Remember when Georgia and Ohio State played in that instant classic that ended as the clock struck midnight? After what happened in Los Angeles, roughly 10 days later, left everyone realizing the National Championship had been played in Atlanta. I think that may be a road we are headed down once again, with a clash of titans in Atlanta (Yes, Indiana is a titan). So who wins and how do they do it?
I’m curious to see what form of Dan Lanning we get Friday night. For all of his success he hasn’t been fantastic in big games. He struggled to close out the season in his first year losing 2 of his last 3 when the CFP was in sight. In 2023 he couldn’t beat Washington and last year after beating Ohio State and winning the BIG 10 he got ran out of Pasadena by Ohio State. I’m not saying that he can’t win these games or hasn’t won games like these in the past but his track record hasn’t been fantastic in these moments.
Oregon is thin at running back, with reports coming out that they have moved two defenders to offense to help with the lack of depth at that position. They have 4 running backs out of this game, and Noah Whittington was a late add to the injury report as questionable. Aside from Whittington, the backs available for the Ducks on Friday are Dierre Hill Jr. and Jay Harris (who is transferring). Oregon dealt with injuries all year at receiver, and just when that room starts to get healthy, their running backs start to drop like flies.
All that said, there are still two things I believe/know to be true. The first is that it is hard to beat a good team twice. I know this is cliché and coach speak, but it is absolutely true. The second is, despite all of the injuries Oregon has in its backfield, this is still the best offense that Indiana has seen in a while. The health of that receiver room is big, and they still have probably the best tight end in the country in Kenyon Sadiq. Oh yeah, and their defense is pretty good too.
Notes on Indiana
Everyone has seemingly been waiting for Indiana to be proven fraudulent. To be honest, I am not quite sure why. Alabama was a popular upset pick in the Rose Bowl, and Indiana is now the only team in the 12-team format to not lose after having a bye (teams with a bye in the 12-team CFP format are 1-7). No one picked them against Ohio State (myself included). Oregon was expected to blow them out in Eugene earlier this year. None of that happened, though, and Curt Cignetti and his staff just keep chugging along.
On the Injury front, Indiana has no surprises, unlike Oregon, which had in their backfield. Their kickoff specialist is listed as doubtful, but I think they’ll probably be able to survive that. So Indiana has won the injury report at least. Compared to their last matchup with Oregon, they have had a couple of in-season injuries, specifically along the D-line. So that will be something to watch for tonight. Does that D-line do as good a job against the Oregon O-line as they did in Eugene?
Prediction + Betting Lines
I think this game comes down to the coaching staff more than anything else. These rosters from a talent standpoint are extremely close (although it may not look like it on paper). I would say Oregon definitely drew the short end of the stick when it comes to injuries. I do hope that will not play a factor in the game tonight. The last thing I want to see is an Oregon DB taking a handoff in a CFP Semi-Final game because we cannot get the college football calendar right. (Oregon has multiple running backs in the portal, along with their injuries)
When you look at the two coaching staffs, Indiana’s has been the best in the country all year, and when you pair that with the fact that Tosh Lupoi and Will Stein have been working double duty this week, I definitely give the edge to Indiana on the sidelines and on the field.