The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27-22 in a pivotal AFC North clash on Sunday, December 7, 2025, but the outcome was overshadowed by one of the season’s most contentious officiating decisions: the overturning of an apparent late fourth quarter touchdown catch by Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely. With the Ravens attempting a furious comeback from a 17-3 first half deficit, Lamar Jackson found Likely in the end zone for what was initially ruled a go ahead score with under three minutes remaining. However, the replay official in New York overturned the ruling, citing that Likely “failed to get his third foot down” before the ball was jarred loose by Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., transforming a crucial touchdown into a devastating incomplete pass.

The immediate impact of the overturned call was a massive five point swing that preserved the Steelers' narrow lead. The officials' explanation, later clarified by NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth, stated that while Likely secured control and got two feet down, he lost control of the ball before he could complete the “act common to the game” necessary to complete the catch in this instance, planting a third step. The controversial nature of the NFL's catch rule which mandates possession, two feet in bounds, and control long enough to perform a football move drew immediate fury from the Ravens sideline and a wave of criticism from fans and commentators who argued that the original ruling should have stood under the “clear and obvious” standard of review.

The strategic fallout for the Ravens was devastating. Instead of taking a probable 28-27 lead with an extra point, the incomplete pass resulted in the Ravens facing a second down from the 13 yard line. Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh ultimately opted to play for a touchdown, bypassing a field goal attempt that would have cut the deficit to two points. The drive subsequently stalled, ending on a fourth down incompletion that turned the ball over. This entire sequence, triggered by the overturned call, was the turning point that ensured the Ravens would not score again. The loss dropped the Ravens to a 6-7 record, placing them a full game behind the Steelers for the lead in the highly competitive AFC North division.

Looking ahead, the future outlook for both AFC North rivals is directly affected by this result. The Pittsburgh Steelers, fueled by a strong performance from Aaron Rodgers (284 passing yards and two touchdowns), secured the divisional lead and gained momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. Conversely, the Baltimore Ravens are now facing renewed scrutiny, dealing with their second straight loss in which controversial plays have factored heavily. While players like Lamar Jackson and Likely acknowledged the need to execute better regardless of the officiating, the sting of the subjective call and the subsequent failure to convert on fourth down will loom large as they battle to maintain their Wild Card positioning.