The AFC North title and a playoff berth will be decided Sunday night when the Baltimore Ravens visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in a winner-take-all Week 18 matchup. With both teams fighting to extend their season, Baltimore’s defense is preparing for another test against veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Ravens LB Ready for Second Shot at Aaron Rodgers With AFC North on the Line
One Ravens defender in particular has been waiting for another shot at Rodgers. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy said during an appearance on “Up & Adams” with Kay Adams that he still remembers a moment from an earlier matchup between the two.
“I still owe him. He scored a touchdown one time and kind of slapped me on the butt, saying, like, ‘Nice try.’ I think I owe him something for that,” Van Noy said.
Pittsburgh won the first meeting in Week 14, a 27-22 result powered by Rodgers, who threw for 284 yards and scored two total touchdowns while going 23-for-34 passing. Van Noy said the rematch offers the perfect opportunity to respond.
“This is my chance. We got to do something,” he said.
Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy on his 10-year-old beef with Aaron Rodgers 🤣@KVN_03 | @heykayadams | @AaronRodgers12 pic.twitter.com/Bn3osjUDaL
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) December 30, 2025
Rodgers’ quick release and command at the line were on full display in that first meeting, and Van Noy acknowledged how difficult it can be to disrupt him. When asked how frustrating it is to face a quarterback who gets the ball out so quickly, he offered a mix of respect and determination.
“It is a testament of how good he is. How the game slowed down for him. He is still a really good football player. He played us well earlier this season and we got to do a better job making him uncomfortable,” Van Noy said.
Baltimore enters the rematch with a PFSN Defense Impact score of 74.7, ranking No. 15 in the league. The unit has been steady throughout the season, showing the ability to generate pressure and create timely stops even when dealing with injuries and shifting personnel.
Still, the Ravens know they will need more than consistency to slow Rodgers in a high-stakes environment. His ability to diagnose coverages before the snap and get the ball out quickly limits opportunities for sacks or disruptive plays, which hurt Baltimore in the first meeting.
The challenge Sunday night will be sustaining pressure and forcing Rodgers into uncomfortable situations, something few defenses have managed this season. Baltimore believes it has the personnel to do it, but execution will determine whether the unit can rise above its middle-of-the-pack ranking.
With the division on the line, Van Noy said the group is embracing the moment rather than shying away from it. The Ravens understand the magnitude of the stage, and Van Noy made it clear he is ready for another chance to make an impact when it matters most.
