Look, when the Steelers play the Ravens, you know it’s going to be a rock fight. Sure, it’s a worn-out stereotype — like the fact that Pittsburghers put fries in their sandwiches, or that Baltimoreans put Old Bay on everything — but stereotypes are rooted in truth.
On the latest episode of “AFC North Hulks Walloping Each Other,” the Steelers used six field goals to defeat Baltimore 18-16 to solidify possession of first place in the division. But that only came after a grimy, grueling slog under – of course – gray Pittsburgh skies.
The game’s early high point — or rather, low point — came in the first quarter, when the former most accurate kicker in NFL history, Justin Tucker, suddenly couldn’t kick straight anymore. Tucker missed field goals of 47 and 50 yards, increasing concerns about his future viability.
Almost as if defying Tucker, Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell was responsible for all of Pittsburgh’s 18 points himself. Boswell struck from 32, 52, 32, 57, 27 and 50 yards, which is good news until you realize those totals mean multiple Steeler drives were blown out in the red zone.
The Ravens, of course, rode Derrick Henry all afternoon, including a one-yard boom that was either team’s only touchdown in the first three quarters. Heading into the fourth, the score was Pittsburgh 15, Baltimore 10, and absolutely no one had any idea how the game would end.
The game turned into a clinch-and-punch scrum… until Russell Wilson started showing signs of life. He drove the Steelers on a methodical 10-play, 63-yard drive deep into Baltimore territory, looking for all the world like the Russell Wilson of old – dodging the rush, finding the open man, seeing the field as a slow- motion chess board.
And then, right when it looked like Pittsburgh was about to postpone the game, Evil Russell Wilson arrived to sabotage the Steelers. Facing third-and-goal from the 5, Wilson dodged a swarming Ravens rush, turned and lofted a pass into the end zone…right into the arms of Baltimore’s Marlon Humphrey.
And ThanJust when it looked like Baltimore would drive down the field and take control of the game, Payton Wilson ripped a Lamar Jackson pass right out of Justice Hill’s hands. Given another chance to run up the score, the Steelers would go on to, yes, score another field goal and take an 18-10 lead.
And then ThanBaltimore finally woke itself from its bruised stupor. On the Ravens’ final drive, with less than two minutes remaining, Jackson, under swarm pressure, found Hill for what turned into a 22-yard gain to the Pittsburgh 24. Two plays later, Jackson hit Zay Flowers in stride for a TD. But the ensuing two-point attempt failed, leaving Baltimore up 18-16.
With all three timeouts remaining, Baltimore started and Pittsburgh opted to fill in Justin Fields at quarterback to run out the clock. Fields unfortunately slipped short of the first-down line despite having room to move. But Najee Harris saved him and the Steelers on the next play, barely crossing the line to let Pittsburgh run out the clock.
Wilson finished the day 23 of 36 for 205 yards and an interception, while Jackson was 16 of 33 for 207 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Henry had 65 yards and Harris 63 to lead all rushers.
