Our last “First Call” of 2025 features some inflammatory quotes from a former Steeler about Aaron Rodgers’ decision-making. We’ll see a first in AFC North history at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday between Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

The Penguins wrapped up 2026 on a strong note. And the Robert Morris men’s hockey team returns to play after a long winter’s nap.

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A finale first

The Steelers-Ravens game at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday night will make history regardless of who wins it.

According to SteelersNow.com, the showdown will be the first winner-takes-all/loser-goes-home scenario in the regular season finale in AFC North history.

The winner Sunday night claims the division title. The loser misses the playoffs. That’s never happened before in the history of the division since it was formed out of the old AFC Central in 2002.

In 2014, the Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals played each other with the division title on the line for the winner during the final week of the season. Pittsburgh won that game 27-17.

But the Bengals made the playoffs anyway as a wild card. For that matter, so did the Ravens, the third-place team in the division.

In fact, the Ravens came to Pittsburgh the next week and beat the Steelers, 30-17, while the Bengals lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 26-10.

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Look elsewhere

Many people are ripping Aaron Rodgers for targeting Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the end zone three times in a row (while being guarded by Denzel Ward) to end the team’s loss to Cleveland on Sunday afternoon.

Understandable.

But former Steelers and Browns cornerback Joe Haden was more upset at the sideline end-zone shot to 5-foot-9 Scotty Miller on a fourth-and-1 in the first half.

“You’re throwing at Scotty (Miller) on a fade ball versus Tyson Campbell,” Haden said at the 18:35 mark of his “Deebo & Joe” podcast with ex-Steeler James Harrison. “You’ve got (Adam) Thielen and (Pat) Freiermuth working versus (Grant) Delpit and the linebacker. They were in a nice little rub route there. That’s why Thielen is in. Throw that pass. He motioned over there. Thielen and Freiermuth ran a little pick play, and he had it right there, right in front of A-Rod for, like, a 2-yard gain. First down. And you choose to throw that fade over there versus that seatbelt that’s been strapping him up the whole game? You want to throw it over there on fourth-and-1? You’re trippin’. You’re buggin’.”

Haden wasn’t upset at the play design by Arthur Smith.

“I’m not mad at the play. I’m mad at the decision maker there,” Haden said. “I’m mad at A-Rod. You’ve got to throw that to Thielen for the quick one.”

The Steelers ended up losing 13-6. That was the third time this year the Steelers have failed to exceed 10 points.

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2 to go

The Penguins played their first of three straight games against first-place teams Tuesday. They won 5-1 at home against the Metropolitan Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes.

Anthony Mantha scored twice.

Sidney Crosby, Justin Brazeau and Tommy Novak buried goals as well.

Now the Pens play back-to-back games against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night in Pittsburgh and Saturday afternoon in Detroit. The Red Wings have to play Wednesday and home against Winnipeg. However, they haven’t played since a 3-2 Sunday win over Toronto.

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The clubs will play for a third time on March 31.

The Wings currently sit atop the Atlantic Division with 49 points. That’s good for a one-point lead on the Montreal Canadiens. They have won six of their last eight games.

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Pioneers prevail

The Robert Morris men’s hockey team returned to the ice Tuesday after an extended break before and after Christmas. The Colonials last played Dec. 6. That was a 6-3 win at Air Force.

But it was a tough return for Derek Schooley’s club. The Colonials got down 4-0 at Sacred Heart before eventually falling 5-2 in an Atlantic Hockey showdown.

Tanner Klimpke had both goals for the Colonials, including the 30th of his career.

The Colonials (4-11-2 overall, 4-4-1 AHA) and Pioneers (8-7-2, 5-4-2 AHA) rematch at 4 p.m. Saturday at the RMU Island Sports Center on Neville Island. The women’s team next plays Jan. 9 and 10 at home against Syracuse.

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LISTEN: Tim Benz and Jeremy Conn of 105.7 The Fan preview Steelers-Ravens