The Pittsburgh Steelers improved their playoff chances with a 17:10 away win at the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 of the NFL. However, your superstar is now in danger of failing.
Steelers @ Ravens: At a glance
- The Steelers improved their playoff chances with a win in Baltimore, but now have to hope for help from the competition.
- Edge rusher TJ Watt made history with his two sacks in the game, but is now at risk of being sidelined with an injury.
- The Ravens rested various starters, which probably made the difference in the end.
Steelers @ Ravens: The game report
In the pouring rain, both teams needed to even find their footing – or the ball, which kept slipping out of their hands during pitches and carries. After two punts, the Steelers managed their first presentable drive, which was mainly characterized by the run game. Accordingly, a run over six yards into the end zone by Najee Harris gave the guests a 7-0 lead.
The Ravens, in turn, spared numerous top performers because they already have the top seed in the AFC, including quarterback Lamar Jackson and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. However, both starting offensive tackles, Morgan Moses and Ronnie Stanley, were there at the beginning only played sporadically. Midway through the second quarter, however, they came back together for a series that immediately paid off. After just six plays, QB Tyler Huntley and tight end Isaiah Likely tied the score with a 27-yard touchdown pass. The key play, however, was a 29-yard run by Gus Edwards.
There were no further points before halftime because Mason Rudolph lost a fumble after a sack on the way to the red zone. After the break, the defensive lines took over again and allowed very little. Until Ravens safety Marcus Williams made what was probably the decisive mistake in the final quarter: On a passing play in the Steelers half, he was tempted by tight end Pat Freiermuth to pull towards the middle, which opened the door for wide receiver Diontae Johnson on a slant route opened. Rudolph found him and Johnson was up and running for a 71-yard touchdown.
After Edwards lost a fumble in the middle of the fourth quarter and the Steelers then took a lot of time off the clock and added a field goal, the preliminary decision was made.
The Steelers have thus underpinned their playoff ambitions, but now need help. For example, if the Bills or Jaguars lose, they would be in the playoffs. This also applies if the game between the Texans and Colts ends in a draw on Sunday night.
However, the game was overshadowed by a knee injury to star edge rusher TJ Watt, who went down late in the third quarter after a collision with teammate Montravious Adams and did not return. According to a report by reporter Ian Rapoport from the “NFL Network”, initial tests indicate that it is a torn inner ligament, which means he will probably miss the playoffs in any case.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) @ Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
Result: 17:10 (7:0, 0:7, 0:0, 10:3) BOXSCORE
Steelers @ Ravens: Key stats
- Gordon’s fumble in the first half was his 19th lost fumble of his career. That’s the most of any running back since 2015, his rookie year.
- Jadeveon Clowney tied his career high of 9 1/2 sacks in a season with his sack on Rudolph in the second quarter. He also secured a bonus in his contract of $750,000 (9 sacks).
- After his two sacks in that game against Huntley, Watt has 19 sacks this season, leading the NFL. This means TJ and his brother JJ Watt join DeMarcus Ware and Mark Gastineau as the only players with multiple seasons of 19 or more sacks.
- Both teams totaled eight fumbles in the game (Steelers: 6, Ravens, 2), which is a high for a game this season. Both lost two each.
The star of the game: TJ Watt (Edge Rusher, Steelers)
His performance was once again outstanding and he played a big part in the Steelers’ dominance at the line of scrimmage with two sacks and three tackles for loss. However, his knee injury now makes him a tragic figure, as he is now in danger of missing the playoffs even if his team makes it there.
The flop of the game: Offensive Line (Ravens)
This isn’t fair, as they largely rested their starters due to their secure playoff position. But the backups, especially at the tackle positions, hardly allowed the Ravens to do much more offense.
The highlight of the game
The touchdown that put the Steelers on the road to victory is, of course, the scene of the game.