The Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens rivalry needs no introduction. It’s one of the NFL’s most physical and meaningful matchups, and fittingly, it closes the regular season as Sunday Night Football in Week 18. With playoff positioning often on the line, this game draws massive audiences in both the United States and Canada.

Here’s a clear, practical guide on when the game starts, where it airs, and how to stream it legally, including free and low-cost options.

Read more:

- How to Watch NFL Week 18 Sunday Games for Free: Legal, Cable-Free Options

- NFL Week 18: Top 8 Most Dangerous Potential Wild-Card Teams

- NFL Week 18 Scenarios Explained: Every Game That Decides Playoff Seeding

Steelers vs. Ravens
Steelers vs. Ravens

Game Info: Steelers vs. Ravens (Week 18)

Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Kickoff time: 8:20 p.m. ET

Game window: Sunday Night Football

US TV channel: NBC

Canada TV: CTV / TSN

How to Watch Steelers vs. Ravens in the United States

Watch for Free on NBC (Over-the-Air)

Because this is Sunday Night Football, NBC broadcasts the game free over the air in all major US markets.

What you need

  • A digital TV antenna

  • Access to a local NBC station

Why it’s free

NBC is a broadcast network, so no cable or streaming subscription is required. For many fans, this is the best and most reliable option.

NBC Online & Streaming Options

NBC Sports / Peacock

  • NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com

  • Peacock: https://www.peacocktv.com

What you get

  • Live stream of Steelers vs. Ravens

  • Works on TV, phone, tablet, and desktop

Cost

  • Peacock requires a paid plan (low monthly cost)

  • NBC Sports may prompt for a TV provider login

Live TV Streaming Services (Free Trials Available)

These services carry NBC and can be used without cable:

  • YouTube TV: https://tv.youtube.com

  • Hulu + Live TV: https://www.hulu.com/live-tv

  • Fubo: https://www.fubo.tv

Cost

  • $0 with free trial (new users)

  • Cancel after the game to avoid charges

Best for

Fans who want guaranteed HD streaming on a big screen.

NFL+ (Mobile-Only)

  • Website: https://www.nfl.com/plus

Cost: around $7 per month
What you get: live stream on phones only, plus full replays

NFL+ is useful if you’re watching solo on mobile, but it does not support live TV or desktop viewing.

How to Watch Steelers vs. Ravens in Canada

Free TV (Where Available)

  • CTV carries select NFL games nationally

If the game airs on CTV in your region, you can watch free with an antenna, similar to NBC in the US.

TSN (Most Common Option)

  • Website: https://www.tsn.ca

TSN broadcasts Sunday Night Football across Canada and is available via cable or TSN’s streaming platform.

DAZN Canada (NFL Game Pass)

  • Website: https://www.dazn.com

What you get

  • Every NFL game live, including Steelers vs. Ravens

  • No regional blackouts

  • Full replays and multi-device support

Cost

  • Monthly subscription, often cheaper than US live-TV bundles

DAZN is the most reliable option for Canadian fans who don’t want to worry about channel availability.

Why This Game Is Easy to Watch for Free

Steelers vs. Ravens is accessible because:

  • It airs on NBC (US) and CTV (Canada)

  • Sunday Night Football is designed for maximum reach

  • No cable exclusivity applies

If you have an antenna and local coverage, you may not need to pay anything.

The most important game of NFL Week 18

The Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens matchup is widely considered the most important game of NFL Week 18 because it combines elite competition, historic rivalry, and direct playoff consequences. This is one of the most physical and intense rivalries in NFL history, with decades of close games and postseason implications. In many seasons, the result directly impacts the AFC North title, determines playoff qualification, or reshapes playoff seeding across the conference.

The NFL’s decision to place this game in the Sunday Night Football slot is no accident. That prime-time position is reserved only for matchups with maximum competitive and media value. Simply put, this game matters more than any other in Week 18—on the field and in the national spotlight.

Quick Viewing Comparison

Quick Viewing Comparison
Quick Viewing Comparison

Bottom Line

Steelers vs. Ravens on Sunday, January 4 is one of the easiest and most important games of NFL Week 18 to watch. Many fans in the US and Canada can watch for free with an antenna, while streaming options provide affordable backups without cable.

For a rivalry this intense, the hardest part shouldn’t be finding the game — and it doesn’t have to be.