Steelers Fall To Ravens In Wild-Card Clash, Paving Way For Historic Ravens Victory
Pittsburgh, PA - The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Baltimore Ravens in a hard-fought Wild Card clash on Sunday, ending their season and paving the way for the Ravens to advance to the Divisional Round. The Ravens' 27-16 victory was their first playoff win over the Steelers since 2000, and it marked the first time Baltimore has won in Pittsburgh since 2012.
A Tale of Two Halves
The first half of the game was a defensive struggle, with both teams struggling to move the ball. The Steelers took a 3-0 lead on a field goal by Chris Boswell, but the Ravens responded with a touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Marquise Brown to take a 7-3 lead. The Ravens extended their lead to 10-3 on a field goal by Justin Tucker, and that's how the score remained at halftime.
The second half was a different story, as the Ravens offense came alive. Jackson threw two more touchdown passes, to Mark Andrews and Sammy Watkins, to give the Ravens a 24-3 lead. The Steelers finally got on the board with a touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Diontae Johnson, but the Ravens answered right back with a field goal to make it 27-10. The Steelers scored another touchdown on a pass from Roethlisberger to Chase Claypool, but it was too little, too late. The Ravens held on for the win, and the Steelers' season came to an end.
Lamar Jackson Shines
Lamar Jackson was the star of the game for the Ravens, accounting for 316 total yards and three touchdowns. He was 20-of-30 passing for 270 yards and two touchdowns, and he also rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown. Jackson was a constant threat to the Steelers defense, and he made several big plays throughout the game.
Steelers Offense Struggles
The Steelers offense struggled to get anything going against the Ravens defense. Roethlisberger was sacked four times and intercepted once, and the Steelers running game was held to just 67 yards. The Steelers were also penalized 10 times for 83 yards, which hurt their chances of sustaining drives.
Historic Ravens Victory
The Ravens' victory was their first playoff win over the Steelers since 2000, and it was their first win in Pittsburgh since 2012. It was also the first time Baltimore has advanced to the Divisional Round since 2014. The Ravens will now face the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round next week.
Broader Implications
The Ravens' victory is a major upset, and it has major implications for the rest of the playoffs. The Steelers were one of the favorites to win the AFC, and their loss opens up the field for other teams to contend. The Ravens, meanwhile, are now one of the favorites to win the AFC, and they will be a tough matchup for any team they face.
The Ravens' victory is also a reminder of how important Lamar Jackson is to their success. Jackson is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, and he is a major threat to opposing defenses. The Ravens are a legitimate contender to win the Super Bowl this year, and Jackson is a big reason why.