By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
BALTIMORE, MD–For the first time in 3 weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers got a win, albeit a huge one as they beat the Baltimore Ravens 27-22 at MT & T Bank Stadium, where they lost 2 times in 3 weeks in 2024.
“Awesome team win. I’m just appreciative of the effort of the men in that locker room. It’s classic Steelers vs. Ravens,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “Unfortunately, we had a lot of guys go down in the game, but that’s kind of been a component of it, too. Darnell Washington had a concussion. Malik Harrison had a concussion. [Andrus] Peat had a concussion. [Keeanu] Benton had an ankle, but he was able to go back. [We had] a couple other [evaluations]. I think they were able to go back, but it’s really kind of indicative of how this game is played.”
After falling behind 3-0 on a Ravens Field Goal on the opening drive, QB Aaron Rodgers (23/34, 284 yards, TD, rush TD) led the Steelers on an 8 play, 65 yards that ended when he scored on a 1-yard TD run. The key play was an opening 52-yard pass to WR DK Metcalf (7 rec, 148 yards) They would extend their lead to 17-7 on Chris Boswell Field Goal and a 7-yard TD run by RB Kenneth Gainwell.
“I think we were in an aggressive posture all day. I just think that’s how we got out of bed this morning. That’s what’s required when you’re playing these guys in their venue,” said Tomlin.
But the Ravens (6-7) didn’t stay down for long as QB Lamar Jackson 19/35, 219 yards, TD, INT, Rush TD) would score on a 6-yard TD run and throw a 4-yard TD pass to TE Isaiah Likely, closing the Steelers lead to 20-16, but then the Steelers would extend their lead to 27-16 on a 38-yard TD pass to RB Jayen Warren (3 Rec, 49 yards). The Steelers’ defense would hold the Ravens to 2 fourth-quarter field goals and secure the victory.
“I’m just appreciative. When you start having linebackers go down, in that period of time when Patrick Queen was unavailable to us, it was uncomfortable,” said Tomlin when asked about his defense. “But that’s just the component of it. That’s why it’s the ultimate team game. I’m just appreciative of the collective efforts.”
One questionable call was a potential TD that would’ve given the Raven a 29-27 lead in the 4th quarter as Jackson found Likely in the end zone. However, when Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr. knocked the ball out of his hands, the Officials ruled it an incomplete pass.
When asked if he thought Likely caught the ball, Tomlin replied “I did not. But I know sometimes in an effort to get it right, they’ll signal it a touchdown and give it the benefit of a review. But no; I didn’t think it was a touchdown.”
With the win, the Steelers are 7-6 and back in first place in the AFC North Division. It would benefit them if they were able to beat the 6-7 Miami Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium on Monday Night Football. It’s December Football and the Steelers know that their chances of making the playoffs are by winning the Division.
“Look at the percentages. If you look at the chances we had with a win and with a loss, it kind of explains itself. It was a big time,” said Tomlin. “[I] appreciate the efforts. Big win for us, obviously, in a hostile environment, and we’ll keep moving.”
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