The Steelers went into Baltimore as 10-point favorites against the completely depleted Ravens, and ended up leaving with their playoff aspirations in dire straits following a 20-17 loss.
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The Steelers (9-6) play the Cleveland Browns (3-12) at 1 p.m. Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium. “It’s Pittsburgh. So records, scoring, it doesn’t matter how good they were playing coming in”.
Ryan Mallet threw for a career-high 274 yards in his first start with Baltimore in leading the Ravens to a 20-17 victory over the visiting Steelers, one of the biggest upsets of this contentious rivalry. Many had not even heard of the Ravens starting quarterback and of those who had, many knew the name from his college days but if today was any indication, Ryan Mallett is indeed an National Football League quarterback. It’s hard to look outside and say do this for us. “To get a win was even better, so now it’s on to Cincinnati, and we’ve got to get ready for them”. When looking at the snap totals from the game, there is a clear sign, and also the key to success against the prolific Pittsburgh offense, as to why both the Steelers offense and defense struggled in Baltimore last week.
The Steelers need a victory Sunday in Cleveland and a Jets loss to Buffalo to gain the final wild-card spot in the AFC.
“We’re capable of beating anyone, ‘” head coach Mike Tomlin said, “but we’re also capable of losing to anyone'”. Counting last year’s playoff win Baltimore has bested Pittsburgh three straight times. “Obviously on paper it didn’t look like we were going to win today”.
Baltimore, which came in with a minus-15 turnover differential, had two takeaways and did not commit a turnover. The Ravens rushed for 121 yards on 31 carries and got some big runs late in the game when they had to keep possession and run time off the clock.
Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith had a 101-yard touchdown return negated by an offside penalty by linebacker Courtney Upshaw.
The Ravens may not have technically deserved an A for their defenses performance, but if you hold the Steelers to 17 points with the talent they have on the field, anything less than an A is unfair. Ben Roethlisberger completed 24 of 34 passes for 215 yards with two interceptions. The Baltimore Ravens next game is next Sunday against the Cincinatti Bengals on the road and again, they will most likely be underdogs.
“We’re going to remain hopeful but realize when things are out of your control, they’re just that”, Tomlin said. “We controlled our destiny, but we gave the ball away and we can’t do that”. Smith’s interception with about seven minutes to play would have iced the game. Since the start of 2014, the four-time Pro Bowler has thrown 39 touchdowns against 11 interceptions at home.
@ Tomlin said he felt an Antonio Brown catch in the end zone that was originally ruled a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter and then overturned upon review should have stood. They’ll be facing a team that they routinely play well, and will be down to mostly backups when the two teams meet. Daryl Smith leads the Ravens in tackles with 118, C.J. Mosley has 104 tackles, and Will Hill has 63 tackles.
NOTES: Pittsburgh CB Antwon Blake (back spasm) left in the second quarter and FB Roosevelt Nix (right foot) left in the fourth quarter.
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The Dolphins (5-10) had first and goal at the 5 with 40 seconds left, but after three consecutive incompletions, rookie center Jamil Douglas snapped the ball prematurely, and Ryan Tannehill was sacked by three Colts.
