Ravens sweep Steelers
The point differential wasn’t as great as it was in week 1, but the result was the same. The Steelers lost again to their bitter rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. The win gives the Ravens a regular season sweep of the Steelers. It also gives them a decided advantage in any playoff tie-breakers (should they be necessary).
Like all Steelers/Ravens games, this one was a slugfest. The Ravens were only able to run for 67 yards against the Steelers’ defense, and the Steelers only managed to gain 70 yards on the ground.
Troy makes a tackle.
With both teams’ running games shut down, the outcome of the game was going to come down to a battle between two quarterbacks. Ben Roethlisberger has almost always beaten Baltimore, so Steelers fans probably felt confident in this match-up.
Unfortunately, to paraphrase Forrest Gump, “Football games are like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” And in this instance, what we got wasn’t very tasty.
Big Ben threw an interception to Terrell Suggs that resulted in a Ravens’ touchdown. That costly turnover likely changes the outcome of the game.
Joe Flacco also had an opportunity to put his team on his shoulders. With 2:24 left in the 4th quarter, the Ravens got the ball back at their own 8 yard line. They had to just over 2 minutes to go 92 yards. Based on what had already happened in the game, it seemed highly unlikely that the Ravens could muster such a drive against the Steelers’ defense.
But muster they did. Flacco led the Ravens all the way down the field, culminating in a touchdown pass to Torrey Smith.
Like most observers, I couldn’t believe how open Smith was. He beat William Gay badly, and Ryan Clark seemed to be out of position to provide help on the play.
How'd he get so open?
I seldom question Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. But I really don’t understand what he was doing on that final Ravens’ possession. Instead of trying to stop the long pass, the Steelers seemed to be in press coverage like they did against the Patriots last week. They brought almost no pressure, and seemed to be trying to stop the short pass. The only problem was that with 92 yards to go, the Ravens needed long passes.
With 42 seconds left in the game, Flacco tossed a long pass to the end zone to a wide open Torrey Smith. Smith had William Gay beat by several strides, and there was no help in sight. But Smith dropped the ball. That play should have been a signal that the Steelers couldn’t afford to let the Ravens get behind their defense. So how was Flacco able to complete a similar pass to Smith for a 26 yard touchdown just 4 plays later?
Despite questionable officiating, the Steelers had opportunities to win this game. So they can’t blame the loss on anyone but themselves.
I’m disappointed that the Steelers lost both regular season games to the Ravens. But if they end up going 1-2 against the Ravens this year, I think I’ll be able to live with that.
Go Steelers!
Disappointing for sure. But I’m still optimistic about getting into the playoffs, and possible even winning the division. They have similar schedules (Browns 2x, Bengals 2x, 49′ers), but with the Ravens showing lapses at time this year (Jacksonville. almost in Arizona) they could open it back up to the Steelers. Or the Bengals, but let’s not go there!
1With 14 seconds left and no Baltimore timeouts, Gay should have been in a deep zone so there could be no chance Smith would be able to make a catch behind him.
While open to debate, and certainly not a complete blunder like the positioning of our secondary on Baltimore’s finally possession, I question Arians decision to pass on 3 and 5 from the 29 with 2:37 remaining during the Steelers’ prior possession. Although they converted the prior 3 and 4 with a pass to Cotch, gaining a few yards now might result in something less than a 47-yard field goal attempt and would have removed a critical 30 seconds from the clock.
2Things happen and I guess it wasn’t ment to be. Thosr ravens have to be stop, and I belive Mr. Lewis should be fined. I love the Steelers and Win or lose I’m with them all the way.
3Well, I’ve finally gotten over my hurt and anger over the loss, so I can comment about the game.
I thought James Harrison looked GREAT. I can’t wait to see he and Woodley playing together.
The O-line actually played well. They kept Suggs under control. That interception wasn’t the O-line’s fault.
I agree with Jim that there’s still a possibility that we’ll win the division. And even if we don’t, we have a definite shot at a wildcard berth.
I also agree with Dan. I don’t understand what LeBeau was doing on that last drive. Did he call for the anti-prevent defense? That must be what you call a defense that seems to be designed to stop short passes by giving open opportunities for long passes. ?????
Anyway, I guess Baltimore has just been better than us this season. Hopefully, we’ll get one more shot at them in the playoffs.
4And think of it this way… ***IF*** we were to beat the Ravens in the playoffs, that would be soooo sweet. I’d send Suggs a card, except I’m not sure he can read. Heh.
5