Browns answer Derrick Henry's prayer with upset over Steelers

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Browns answer Ravens RB Derrick Henry's prayer with upset over Steelers

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Dec 28, 2025 5:05 PM ET

Derrick Henry's wish came true.

After the Baltimore Ravens beat the Green Bay Packers, 41-24, on Saturday, the running back said he would be rooting for the Cleveland Browns in their home matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Baltimore needed its AFC North rival to lose to have one more shot at winning the division and securing a playoff spot.

"I'm going to pray as soon as I get on the plane, when I get home in the morning, when I wake up," Henry said postgame, per Ryan Mink of the team website. "Hopefully, we get blessed for the opportunity to have to play for something in Week 18."

Henry and company can now consider themselves blessed. The Browns shocked the Steelers, 13-6, in Week 17. The Ravens (8-8) will now play the Steelers (9-7) for the division title in Week 18 in Pittsburgh (TBD).

On X, Cleveland reminded Baltimore it didn't pull off the upset for its sake. Regardless, the Ravens are pumped that their season isn't over. The Steelers, meanwhile, should be kicking themselves.

don't think we did this for you https://t.co/0T2doJI1o5
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 28, 2025

How Steelers blew a huge opportunity

Despite playing on the road, the matchup against the 4-12 Browns seemed like a layup for the Steelers. Instead, they played one of their more disappointing games of the season.

Against Cleveland, Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers completed 21-of-39 passes for 168 yards (4.3 yards per attempt, well below the league average). Clearly, Pittsburgh should've given running back Jaylen Warren — who had 12 carries for 64 yards — more touches.

The Steelers defense has struggled for most of the season, but it did its job against the Browns. It held Cleveland to 262 yards and intercepted rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders twice. But the unit allowed a big play at the wrong time.

Late in the first quarter, Sanders tossed a 28-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. That ultimately made a huge difference in the defensive slugfest.

your Browns rookie receiving record holder just keeps making plays#PITvsCLE on CBS and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/qYn2O1BzUF
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 28, 2025

Rodgers remains confident the Steelers will rebound from the crushing loss in Week 18.

"Because we've done it all season, that's when we've played our best ball. Except today," Rodgers said when asked why the Steelers can bounce back (via ESPN's Brooke Pryor).

After Sunday's loss, however, momentum may be favoring the Ravens. And if starting QB Lamar Jackson returns from a back injury in Week 18, that will only increase the team's chances of answering more prayers throughout Baltimore.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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