Steelers-Ravens playoff game was briefly delayed by drone near M&T Bank Stadium

A drone flying in the area of Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium created a delay during the third quarter of Saturday night’s Wild Card game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.

The delay came with the Steelers on offense. With Pittsburgh set to run a play, the game was stopped, seemingly at random. Neither team took a time-out, nobody on the field was hurt and there were no field intruders — the leading causes of delays.

Later in the quarter, sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung revealed what happened.

“NFL security spotted a drone over the top of the stadium,” Hartung said. “We’re told it didn’t breach inside the stadium but league policy in that circumstance is that you have to stop play.”

Kaylee Hartung reports that the Steelers-Ravens stoppage was after “NFL security spotted a drone over the top of the stadium.” #NFL https://t.co/OBda4096Qa pic.twitter.com/RNT6AYTgwA

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 12, 2025

“Yeah, not the first time it’s happened,” play-by-play man Al Michaels remarked.

Interestingly, on Friday, FBI Baltimore released a video where Special Agent David Rodski told fans to not bring drones “Anywhere near or at M&T Bank Stadium, especially for the Wild Card Game this Saturday.”

A reminder for Saturday’s Ravens-Steelers Playoff Game: leave the drones at home. @FBIBaltimore Special Agent David Rodski explains there is a Temporary Flight Restriction in place for M&T Bank Stadium and the area is considered a No Drone Zone. pic.twitter.com/eCSdiOg2lc

— FBI Baltimore (@FBIBaltimore) January 10, 2025

The game was halted for just over four minutes before play resumed.