Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, bottom left, watches as Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, returns an interception for a touchdown during Saturday’s game. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Despite a season marked by some unusual and frustrating losses, the Baltimore Ravens have secured their spot in the playoffs and are now firmly in the hunt for the AFC North title.
On Saturday night, the Ravens sealed a decisive 34-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, highlighted by a pivotal pick-six in the fourth quarter that helped them pull away. The win not only clinched a playoff berth for Baltimore but also prevented Pittsburgh from claiming the AFC North crown. With both teams now tied at 10-5 atop the division and two games remaining, the race for the title remains wide open.
The Ravens still need some help to claim the AFC North title. If both the Ravens and Steelers win their remaining games, Pittsburgh would take the division based on the third tiebreaker: a better record against common opponents. However, the Steelers face a tough challenge with the 14-1 Chiefs on Christmas Day before wrapping up the season against the Bengals. While Cincinnati has struggled this year, they remain capable of pulling off an upset in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers must be feeling frustrated. Despite defying expectations with a remarkable season and securing a playoff spot, their 10 wins haven’t been enough to distance themselves from the Ravens. Instead of clinching the division on Saturday, the Steelers are now likely in a must-win scenario for their final two games to secure the AFC North crown.
Baltimore’s season has been a mix of highs and lows. They’ve shown flashes of being a championship contender but have also suffered losses to teams like the Raiders and Browns. If the Steelers stumble in the last two weeks and the Ravens seize the AFC North title, Baltimore could find themselves in a strong position to make a deep postseason run.
Ravens Lead at Halftime
The Steelers started strong in the first half but suffered a critical misstep. Russell Wilson broke free for a 19-yard run to the Ravens' 4-yard line, but a hard hit from Ravens defensive back Ar’Darius Washington forced a fumble, which Baltimore recovered. Instead of setting up a first-and-goal, Pittsburgh squandered a golden scoring opportunity. Costly turnovers like this make it tough to compete with a team like the Ravens, and this wouldn’t be the last time a Wilson turnover shifted the game’s momentum.
Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson kept Baltimore’s offense rolling, throwing two touchdown passes in the first half—one to Isaiah Likely and another to Rashod Bateman. The Ravens entered halftime with a 17-10 lead.
The Steelers proved their resilience, staying competitive throughout the game. In the third quarter, Cordarrelle Patterson made an impressive 12-yard touchdown catch in the end zone despite tight coverage, securing the ball as he fell. Despite an earlier turnover inside Baltimore’s 5-yard line, Pittsburgh managed to tie the game at 17-17 against a tough Ravens team on the road.
Baltimore responded with a late third-quarter touchdown from Mark Andrews, regaining the lead at 24-17. True to the nature of Ravens-Steelers matchups, the game remained tightly contested heading into the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Baltimore’s defense delivered a pivotal performance that swung the game in their favor.
Baltimore’s Defense Delivers a Game-Changing Pick-Six
The Ravens' defense, which has been up and down this season, stepped up with a crucial play to bail out Lamar Jackson after a rare mistake.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Steelers got a huge boost. After Russell Wilson’s deep pass fell incomplete on fourth-and-6, Derrick Henry ripped off a 44-yard run to the Steelers' 11-yard line, setting the Ravens up to extend their lead. However, Jackson threw an interception to Minkah Fitzpatrick while targeting Zay Flowers in the end zone, missing an open opportunity. The turnover gave Pittsburgh a chance to tie the game, trailing just 24-17.
Moments later, Wilson made an even more costly error. Rolling out on a bootleg, he threw a poorly judged pass that landed directly in the hands of Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Humphrey returned the interception 37 yards for a touchdown, extending Baltimore’s lead to 31-17.
Down by 14 points in the fourth quarter, the Steelers faced an uphill battle. Their offense, not built for quick comebacks, punted on the ensuing drive. Jackson then connected with Zay Flowers for a 49-yard gain, effectively sealing the Ravens' victory.
Baltimore continues to showcase why it’s one of the NFL’s most consistent franchises. With a two-time MVP quarterback in Jackson playing at an elite level, a dominant running back in Derrick Henry, and a defense steadily improving, the Ravens are back in the mix for another AFC North title after Saturday’s win.
0 Comments