CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHELICS.COM
The second meeting of the Steelers versus the Ravens turned out to be a tough and well-matched game between these two AFC North rivals. The game came down to the final minutes with a sack by Troy Polamalu causing a turnover and giving the Steelers the ball on the 10-yard line.
The biggest surprise was how the Steelers kept getting better as the game wore towards its conclusion. The defense, which for the most part was ineffective at getting pressure in the first half and allowing the big play time after time, began to get in the back field and disrupt the Ravens passing plan late in the game.
Big Ben also seemed to improve as the game went along. Ben injured his right ankle in last weeks contest with Buffalo and was slow moving in the first half of the game. However, as the game continued Ben was moving much better inside the pocket and began making things happen with his feet in the second half.
But that came after an early, though minor, setback, as Ben had his nose broken during a sack by Haloti Ngata and Terrell Suggs. Ben’s nose bled for a while, staining his shirt, but he did not miss a snap because of the injury.
The Steelers were forced to settle for field goals early instead of touchdowns. And for a game that never saw a lead of more than a seven points, some key misses on offense for the Steelers kept Baltimore in control of this game.
But for everything that seemed to be going right for the Ravens on offense and defense, there were big penalties that kept the Steelers in the thick of this game. Multiple false starts on the Ravens offensive line stifled the Ravens from extending the lead early, while on defense they were having trouble remaining disciplined on 3rd and 4th down giving the Steelers more opportunities and better field position.
Yet, two big illegal hits by the Ravens were not call tonight including one on Flozell Adams late in the third quarter that knocked him from the game. The two hits must have irked the Steelers who have been the target of much of the NFL’s crusade against collision plays and helmet to helmet contact, while continuing to be on the short end of the stick when the same illegal hits occur to their players.
But the game ultimately came down to one big play by Polamalu. His sack of Joe Flacco with 3:22 in the fourth quarter caused a fumble and ultimately gave the Steelers the ball on the 10-yard line.
The Steelers had to punt on the previous drive from the forty-yard line, and it appeared as if the Ravens might run the clock out on them.
The fumble recovery by LaMarr Woodley gave the Steelers one more chance at a game-winning touchdown. Down by 4 and under three minutes to go, Ben threw a pass short to Isaac Redman on 3rd and goal on the nine-yard line, which Redman was able to stretch for a touchdown.
The Steelers then went on defense, which appeared at first was going to be as simple as keeping pressure on Flacco. But as the clock slow ticked down Falcco continued to make big plays and it appeared he might force overtime.
But 4th and 2 and with an option for a 55-yard field goal in swirling winds the Ravens elected to go for it. Flacco short armed a pass to Ed Dickson that fell incomplete at the receiver feet, giving the Steelers the ball and the game.
Steelers improve to 8-3 and 3-1 in the division. They also hold the important tiebreaker in the division if they were to fall again to either Cleveland or Cincinnati. They will return home for next week’s game against the Bangles, likely on a returfed Heinz Field.
