Category: Pittsburgh Steelers

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Steelers vs. Ravens Recap: Ravens take advantage of Steelers mistakes, win 34-17

The Pittsburgh Steelers have already locked up a playoff spot in the 2024 AFC Playoffs, but they wanted to also claim a home field game by winning the division. To do so, all they had to do was beat the Baltimore Ravens on the road in Week 16. A win would lock up the Steelers first AFC North title since 2020, a loss would make it a race to the finish between the two fierce rivals.

Enough of the storylines heading into the game, let’s get to the recap…

1st Quarter

The Steelers won the opening coin toss, and deferred their possession to the second half. That meant it was Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense taking the field first. Jackson and company wasted little time getting into Pittsburgh territory, but as they neared Justin Tucker’s field goal range it was Alex Highsmith who got a strip sack of Jackson on 2nd down. The Ravens recovered, but it killed the drive and resulted in a punt.

The Steelers started their first drive on their own 3-yard line after a tremendous special teams play by the Ravens, and the drive amassed just 8 yards and three plays before sending the ball back to Baltimore.

On the punt return the Steelers forced another fumble, but this too was recovered by the Ravens. The second drive for Baltimore would start in Pittsburgh territory. This drive it was Derrick Henry getting warmed up, as he moved the offense into the red-zone. Once there, it was Jackson who found Isaiah Likely for the game’s first touchdown.

After the Justin Tucker extra point, the score was 7-0 with 5:52 left in the first quarter.

The Steelers put together their best drive of the quarter, with huge passes to none other than Ben Skowronek to move the ball into Baltimore territory. Jaylen Warren runs set up the Pittsburgh offense just outside the red-zone, and a dart from Russell Wilson to Van Jefferson set up the offense at the 1-yard line at the end of the quarter.

Score after the 1st Quarter: Ravens 7, Steelers 0

2nd Quarter

On first down the Steelers ran a play-action fake to Najee Harris and Wilson hit tight end MyCole Pruitt for the touchdown.

Chris Boswell was good for the extra point, making the score 7-7 with 14:56 left in the 2nd quarter.

The Ravens next possession moved the ball to midfield, but stalled once entering Pittsburgh territory. After a shanked punt the Steelers started at their own 40-yard line, and they moved the ball quickly into Baltimore territory. A great mixture of run and pass set up the offense outside the 30-yard line. Russell Wilson scrambled for 20-yards, and was threatening to score, before he took a big hit and fumbled. The Ravens recovered for the first turnover of the game.

The Ravens took over at their own 4-yard line and proceeded to drive 96 yards with relative ease. When the Ravens reached the red-zone, on a 3rd and 8, Jackson threw his second touchdown pass of the game, this one to Rashod Bateman to give the Ravens the lead.

The extra point was good, making the score 14-7 with 7:28 left in the half.

The Steelers had another three-and-out on their next drive, and it resulted in the Ravens getting the ball back with 5:57 remaining in the half at their own 30-yard line. A combination of the Steelers porous run defense and the Ravens picking on the Pittsburgh banged up secondary to move the ball into Justin Tucker’s field goal range. Tucker’s 51-yard field goal was good, making the score 17-7 with 1:43 left in the half.

The Steelers had one timeout remaining on their next drive, and they were able to move the ball into Chris Boswell’s field goal range before the end of the half. Boswell’s 51-yard field goal was good, making the score 17-10 as time expired.

Score at Halftime: Ravens 17, Steelers 10

3rd Quarter

The Steelers received the football to start the second half, but their possession was short-lived. 5 yards and 3 plays, to be specific. Corliss Waitman bailed out the offense with a 58 yard punt, pinning the Ravens back at their own 8-yard line. Pittsburgh’s defense was able to force a punt, and the Steelers offense went to work.

Two huge passes to Calvin Austin III moved the ball into Baltimore territory, none better than this toe-tapping sideline grab.

It was Najee Harris who carried the Steelers into the red-zone. Once there it was Russell Wilson hitting Cordarrelle Patterson for the score.

Boswell’s extra point was good, making the score 17-17 with 5:14 left in the quarter.

After Boswell kicked the ball out of bounds on the ensuing kickoff, the Ravens had their way with the Steelers on the next drive. Whatever the Steelers tried to do defensively, the Ravens had an answer. The drive ended with a touchdown pass to Mark Andrews to give the Ravens the lead once again.

Tucker’s extra point was good, making the score 24-17 with 1:50 left in the quarter.

Despite the Steelers next drive getting to midfield, the drive stalled as time expired on the 3rd quarter.

Score after the 3rd Quarter: Ravens 24, Steelers 17

4th Quarter

Instead of the Steelers punting the ball on 4th and 6, they elected to go for it and Wilson’s pass intended for Calvin Austin III was knocked down, turning it over on downs.

The next play for the Ravens was this huge run by Derrick Henry.

In this back-and-forth game, Lamar Jackson’s next pass was intercepted by Minkah Fitzpatrick, giving the ball right back to the Steelers.

As if that wasn’t crazy enough, the Steeles decided to spice things up a bit with a pick-six to Marlon Humphrey.

The extra point was good, and the Ravens extended their lead 31-17 with 13:06 left in the 4th quarter.

Pittsburgh’s offense continued to struggle in critical moments, and were unable to match points with the Ravens, sending the ball back to the Ravens via punt before even getting across midfield.

The Ravens were determined to ice away the game, and they did so with a huge pass to Zay Flowers, and Derrick Henry runs. The drive took off valuable time off the clock, and ended with a Justin Tucker field goal to make the score 34-17 with 3:10 left in regulation.

The Steelers couldn’t do anything, and the Ravens just ran out the clock, and the score would hold as final.

FINAL SCORE: Ravens 34, Steelers 17

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17.

Jeff Hartman

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