Steelers 14 vs 28 Ravens summary, stats, scores and highlights | NFL Playoffs Wild Card Round

Steelers vs. Ravens
Henry's long run to set up opening drive.
Ravens take 7-0 lead on Jackson's TD pass to Bateman.
Henry extend the lead to 14-0 with 8 yard TD run
Jackson hits Hills right before the halftime break to up BAL up 21-0
Wilson caps 98 yard drive with TD pass to Jefferson, 21-7
Any sign of life the Steelers might have though they had was quickly killed by Derrick Henry who dominated this prized Steelers defense. Four plays after Pittsburgh scored their first TD, Henry broke a 44 yard run to the house on a nigh that he ran for 186 yards and 2 TDs on 26 carries. I'm not sure what the Chiefs are going to look like after all that time off, or the Bills with their inexperienced receivers, but the Ravens looked like they are going to nearly impossible to beat if Jackson and Henry on locked like this for the rest of the playoffs.
The Steelers would score another TD but the Ravens defense held strong the rest of the way and carried Baltimore back to the Divisional Round. Now they will have to wait for the the winner of the Broncos @ Bills game tomorrow. The Chiefs will play the lowest seed, which will either be the Texans or the Broncos if Denver shock Buffalo in Orchard Park. If the Bills win, the Ravens will will play Buffalo from Highmark Stadium and what a match up that would be between the two MVP favorites.
For some reason it took until the start of the second half for the offense to turn on for the Steelers. Russell Wilson started to take some shots down the field and all of the sudden Pittsburgh had life.
The Ravens got the ball back at their 10 yard line with under 2:00 to go in the half and Jackson marched the home side down the field and stretched the lead to 21-0 with this TD pass to Justice Hill right before the halftime break.
Jackson had 175 yards on 16/21 passing for 2 TDs and rushed for another 81 yards just a few days after being named to the NFL's All-Pro Team this year.
The Ravens defense meant business, forcing punts on the Steelers first four possessions. That gave Derrick Henry and the offense a chance to stretch the lead out in the first half and Baltimore did so by ground and pounding. On their second TD drive of the night, they ran it on all 13 plays and capped the possession off with this run from The King from 9 yards out.
On 3rd and long Jackson connected with Rashod Bateman for the game's first touchdown. Lamar didn't have his top receiver Zay Flowers for the first round match up after he suffered a knee injury in Week 18, but Jackson was unbothered connecting on over 75% of his passes.
Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are heading to the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs after a convincing win over their AFC North rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two time MVP had two TDs on the night but it was the one-two punch of Jackson and Derrick Henry that gave the Steelers defense fits in the 28-14 win.
The Ravens defense came up with on the opening drive of the game, and that opened the door for Henry and the Ravens to take a lead they would never let go of. They gave the Steelers a heavy dose of the run game from the first snap of the game until the last and this Derrick Henry run inside the 15 set up the Ravens' first TD.
IT'S ALL OVER FROM BALTIMORE!!!
The Ravens jumped up on the scoreboard early and controlled the Steelers for 60 minutes. They are on to the Divisional Round.
Andrews with the tush push up the middle and he moves the chains and that is going to do it!
Henry takes the run up the middle and he picks up 4 yards to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 1 from the PIT 14. Timeout PIT with 1:45 to go.
Hill with the carry up the middle and he picks up 5 yards on the carry.
2nd and 5 from the PIT 18 and the Steelers take their first TO of the half with 1:54 to go.
WE ARE AT THE TWO MINUTE WARNING FROM BALTIMORE!!!
Hill moves the chains with a three yard run up the middle.
1st and 10 from the PIT 23.
Henry to the right side and he picks up another 8 yards.
2nd and 2 from the PIT 26.
Pass to the right side for Andrews who makes the catch and stretches for 6 yards, and a holding on PIT is going to give the Ravens a first down.
1st and 10 from the PIT 34.
Henry up the middle and he takes it for a gain of 3 yards.
2nd and 7 form the PIT 40.
Jackson with the QB run up the middle and he moves the chains with a gain of 5 yards.
1st and 10 from the PIT 43.
Jackson with the QB run to the left side and he takes it for 7 yards to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 1 from the PIT 48.
Henry gets the handoff up the middle and he picks up 2 yards on first down.
2nd and 8 from the BAL 43.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS!!!
The Steelers had to go for it and Wilson took a shot to the end zone into triple coverage and his pass to Austin is batted down.
BAL ball at their 43 with 6:13 to go in the 4th quarter.
Slant pass to Jefferson and he picks up 7 yards but he's well short of the marker.
4th and 15 from the BAL 43.
After a false start on PIT, Wilson is sacked by Oweh who came off the edge and dropped him for a loss of 7.
3rd and 22 from the 50.
Wilson's pass down the left sideline sails out of bounds.
2nd and 10 from the BAL 38.
Wilson goes deep down the left sideline for Pickens who jumps up and makes the catch for 26 yards before doing a toe tap.
1st and 10 from the BAL 38.
Short pass to Pickens on the left side and he makes the catch and gets the first down with a 6 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the PIT 36.
PIT get the ball from their 25 and Wilson tucks it and runs to the sideline for a gain of 5 yards.
2nd and 5 from the PIT 30.
Jackson over the middle for Wallace but that pass falls to the grass and is incomplete.
4th and 11 from the BAL 44 with 8:30 to go in the 4th quarter.
Hill is wrapped up in the backfield by Heyward for a loss of 2.
3rd and 11 from the BAL 44.
Henry gets the handoff and he gets a yard on first down.
2nd and 9 from the BAL 46.
There was a 12 men on the field on PIT on that 4th down play so that will give them a free five yards.
1st and 10 from the BAL 46.
The offense stays on the field and Andrews takes the TE tush push for the first down.
1st and 10 from the BAL 41.
Miller on the shallow out route to the right side and he makes the catch but is ripped down by Porter short of the maker.
4th and 1 form he BAL 40.
Henry up the middle and he picks up 3 yards.
3rd and 4 from the BAL 37.
Henry to the left side and he picks up 3 yards on the first down run.
2nd and 7 from the BAL 34.
Jackson to the left sideline for Hill who moves the chains with a 7 yard catch.
1st and 10 from the BAL 31.
Henry is stopped by Heyward behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of 2 yards.
3rd and 3 from the BAL 24.
Henry up the middle out of the shotgun and he picks up 9 yards.
2nd and 1 from the BAL 26.
BAL get the ball back from their 17 to start the 4th quarter.
WE ARE AT THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER FROM BALTIMORE!!!
Wilson rolls to the left side and Madubuike comes flying up and drops him for a loss of 8 yards.
4th and 16 form the PIT 36.
Wilson with a short pass to Warren on the right side but he is stopped after a short gain of 2.
3rd and 8 from the PIT 44.
Wilson's pass to the right side is tipped at the line and falls incomplete.
2nd and 10 from the PIT 42.
Slant for Pickens on the left side and Wilson hits him for a gain of 12 yards.
1st and 10 from the PIT 42.
Wilson rushed out of the pocket and he had to throw it away.
3rd and 4 from the PIT 31.
Wilson finds Harris over the middle and he breaks a tackle and takes it 11 yards.
2nd and 4 from the PIT 31.
PIT take over from their 25, but a false start backs them up five yards.
Jackson's pass to the left side for Likely skips off the grass and the Ravens go three and out for the first time tonight.
4th and 10 from the BAL 30.
Jackson with a designed run up the middle and he gets 5 yards.
3rd and 10 from the BAL 30.
Out route from Andrews and Jackson's pass is batted down by Elliott at the marker.
2nd and 15 from the BAL 25.
BAL get the ball back from their 30 but a false start is going to back the Ravens up five yards.
All of the sudden the PIT offense has turned on. The question is, is it too late? They need the defense to come up with one of their patented big plays down 14 with 18 minutes to go.
TOUCHDOWN STEELERS!!!
Wilson goes deep down the right sideline and he finds Pickens who makes the catch, spins past a couple defenders and walks into the end zone!
PIT cut into the lead. It's 28-14 with 3:24 to go in the 3rd quarter.
Harris to the left side and he gets a yard. The ball came out late but the whistle had already blown.
2nd and 9 from the BAL 36.
Screen pass set up by Harris and he follows his blocker for a gain of 21 yards down the right sideline.
1st and 10 from the BAL 37.
Harris moves the chains with a three yard run up the gut.
1st and 10 from the PIT 42.
PIT take over from their 30 and Wilson finds Harris in the flat for a gain of 9 yards on the right side.
2nd and 1 from the PIT 39.
Henry is a man on a mission. He's got 155 yard and two TDs and we still have a quarter and a half to go.
TOUCHDOWN RAVENS!!!
Henry breaks through a hole and he turns on the jets for a 44 yard TD run! He's got 155 yards already!
BAL punch back, and lead 28-7 with 5;49 to go in the 3rd quarter.
Sims gets the handoff to the left side and he takes it for 15 yards down the sideline.
1st and 10 from the PIT 44.
Jackson rolls right and finds Wallace who lowers his shoulder and picks up the first down with a 21 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the BAL 41.
BAL take over from their 30 and Jackson is sacked by Highsmith who drops the QB for a loss of 10 on the roll out.
2nd and 20 from the BAL 20.
The Steelers started this drive from their 2 yard line and took it all the way down field and got into the end zone to show they aren't going down without a fight. Wilson had a couple of big throws on the drive, and capped it off with this 30 yarder to Jefferson on 3rd down.
TOUCHDOWN STEELERS!!!
Wilson lobs a perfect pass to the end zone for Van Jefferson for a 30 yard TD pass and the Steelers show signs of life out of the break!!
BAL lead 21-0 with 8:05 to go in the 3rd quarter.
Wilson rolls to the right side and has to throw it away again with no one open down the field.
3rd and 10 from the BAL 30.
Wilson rolls left and he had to throw it away with no one open.
2nd and 10 from the BAL 30.
Wilson drops a dime right in the stride of Williams down the left sideline and he takes it for 37 yards and a first down!!
1st and 10 from the BAL 30.
Wilson rolls to the left and he races to the sideline for a gain of 2.
3rd and 3 from the PIT 35.
Pass to the flat for Warren and he takes it up field for 5 yards on first down.
2nd and 5 from the PIT 33.
Wilson extend the drive by hanging in the pocket and throwing a dart to Austin over the middle for 25 yards.
1st and 10 from the PIT 28.
Wilson to the right side for Washington and that pass skips off the dirt before it got to the WR.
3rd and 9 from the PIT 3.
Harris gets the handoff and takes it up the middle for a gain of 1.
2nd and 9 from the BAL 3.
Great punt from Stout who sees it bounce and stop on a dime at the PIT 3.
Henry is stopped for no gain on the run to the left side.
4th and 2 from the BAL 49.
Hill gets the pitch to the right side and he spins out of a tackle and takes it for 5 yards.
3rd and 2 from the BAL 49.
Hlll with the run to the right side and he picks up three yards on first down.
2nd and 7 from the BAL 44.
Pitch to Henry to the right side and he takes it for 8 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the BAL 41.
BAL take the ball from the 30 to start the quarter and Henry gets 3 yards on the run to the left side.
2nd and 7 from the BAL 33.
WE ARE BACK IN BALTIMORE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION!!
Jackson and the Ravens went 90 yards in the final 1:55 of the first half and Jackson might have already put the nail in the coffin with this TD pass to Justice Hill. He's 13/15 with 144 yards and 2 TDs with another 64 yards on the ground. The Steelers have had no answer for him so far, and if they can't figure something out soon this might get even uglier for Pittsburgh.
On the second TD drive of the Ravens' night they ran it on all 13 plays and finished off with an 8 yard run to double the lead. Henry has 100 yards and this TD on 13 carries.
Jackson heard all the talk about him in the playoffs and him going up against his black beast in the Steelers, but he's showing zero signs of this stage being too big for him. He found Bateman in the back of the end zone to put the Ravens up 7-0.
It's been all Ravens through 30 minutes and is it any surprise that Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are at the center of everything. Jackson had a few 3rd down conversions with his legs in the first drive of the night and then Henry busted a big one that set up the opening TD of the game.
WE ARE AT HALFTIME HERE FROM BALTIMORE AND SO FAR IT'S BEEN ALL RAVENS!!!
Jackson took a little too long to get the pass off, so he had to extend the play even more and finally found Hill wide open for the TD right before the halftime break.
TOUCHDOWN RAVENS!!!
Jackson was dancing around in the pocket and ran it down so much he needed to get into the end zone and he does with a short pass to Hill that he walks over the goal line.
BAL lead 21-0 on the final play of the half.
Pass from Jackson to Likely over the middle and he takes it for 19 yards inside the 10 yard line
2nd and Goal from the 5 after the Ravens spiked the ball with 11 on the clock.
Jackson steps up in the pocket and finds Andrews over the middle and he turns up the left sideline for a gain of 20.
1st and 10 from the PIT 24.
Short pass to the left side for Miller who makes the catch inbounds for a gain of 4 yards. Timeout BAL with 36 to go in the half.
2nd and 6 from the PIT 44.
Jackson over the middle and he finds Bateman who turns up field and takes it for 25 yards.
1st and 10 from the PIT 48.
Jackson to the left side for Bateman and he makes the catch for a gain of 9 yards.
1st and 10 from the BAL 27.
Henry with the run to the left side and he picks up 4 yards on to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 3 from the BAL 17. Timeout PIT with 1:08 to go in the first half.
BAL get the ball from their 10 yard line with 1:55 to go and Henry gets 3 yards on the run to the left side.
2nd and 7 from the BAL 13.
WE ARE AT THE TWO MINUTE WARNING FROM BALTIMORE!!!
Short pass to Freiermuth who turns up field and picks up 9 yards but he's going to be well short of the marker.
4th and 9 from the PIT 43.
Wilson goes deep down the right side for Pickens who made the catch for a huge play but he pushed off the defender right in front of the ref and the flag flies for PI on PIT.
3rd and 18 from the PIT 34.
TIMEOUT RAVENS WITH 2:41 TO GO.
Warren up the middle on the run and he picks up 2 yards.
3rd and 8 form the PIT 44.
Fields in at QB and he rolls right but the pressure came and he had to throw it out of bounds.
2nd and 10 from the PIT 42.
Short pass to Warren out of the backfield and he moves the chains with a 5 yard catch.
1st and 10 form the PIT 42.
PIT get the ball form their 29 and Wilson hits Pickens on the left side for a gain of 8 yards to start the drive.
2nd and 2 from the PIT 37.
The Ravens ran the ball on all 13 plays of that drive, and appropriately Derrick Henry finishes it off with a down hill run to double the lead.
TOUCHDOWN RAVENS!!!!
Henry right up the gut and he rumbles into the end zone for the 8 yard TD run.
Ravens lead 14-0 with 4:09 to go in the 1st half.
Pitch to Henry to the left side and he follows his blockers and takes it inside the 10 yard line on a gain of 17.
1st and Goal from the PIT 8.
Henry gets the handoff and he takes it for 3 yards on the left side.
2nd and 7 from the PIT 25.
Read option for Jackson on the keeper and he takes it to the right side for a gain of 9 yards and another first down.
1st and 10 from the PIT 28.
Jackson rolls to the right side and he runs out of bounds for a gan of 2 yards.
2nd and 7 form the PIT 37.
After a false start on Stanley, Jackson had all day in the pocket and finally tucked it and ran for a gain of 19 yards! He took a hit at the end of the play and got up slowly, but he's back on his feet.
1st and 10 from the PIT 45.
Henry to the left side and he cuts back for a short gain of into the middle.
2nd and 7 from the BAL 41.
Henry up the middle for a four yard gain to move the chains.
1st and 10 from the BAL 38.
Jackson to the right side on the QB keeper but he is dropped short of the marker.
3rd and inches from the BAL 35.
Henry finds a hole and takes the first down run for a gain of 9.
2nd and 1 from the BAL 35.
Andrews lines up under center and runs the tush push to move the chains.
1st and 10 from the BAL 26.
Jackson on the QB draw and he gets 8 yards to bring up 3rd and a yard.
3rd and 1 from th BAL 24.
BAL get the ball back from their 15 and Henry takes the first down run for a yard up the middle.
2nd and 9 from th BAL 16.
Wilson to the right side for Freiermuth on the shallow out and he is dropped by Washington right at the marker, but it's going to be ruled short.
4th and inches and the Steelers will punt.
Harris up te middle again and he picks up 3 yards to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 2 from the PIT 28.
PIT take the ball back from their 20 after the touchback and Harris gets the handoff for 5 yards up the middle.
2nd and 5 from the PIT 25.
Jackson looks for Hills in the flat on the right side but he is cut down after a gain of 5 yards.
4th and 6 from the PIT 45 and BAL will punt.
WE ARE AT THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER FROM BALTIMORE!!!
Jackson finds Hill trying to set up a screen pass but he is tripped up for a loss of three yards.
3rd and 11 from the BAL 49.
Jackson tucks it and runs for a short gain of 2 on first down.
2nd and 8 from the PIT 47.
Jackson drops a dime into the path of Likely on the pass to the left side for a gain of 25.
1st and 10 from th PIT 49.
Jackson finds Miller on the stop route to the left side and he gets 5 yards to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 3 from the BAL 26.
BAL get the ball back from their 20 and Henry gets the handoff and he is cut down after a short gain of 1.
2nd and 9 from the BAL 21.
Wilson fires a pass to Freiermuth to the right side and he makes the catch but Washington was there to stop him short of the marker.
4th and 1 from the PIT 39 and they will punt with 2:44 to go in the first quarter.
Pass to the flat for Warren and he takes it for 7 yards on the left side.
3rd and 6 from the PIT 34.
The Steelers get the ball back from their 30 and PIT try to go with a flea flicker to start the drive but Wilson is dropped for a loss of 3 after the pitch back.
2nd and 13 from the PIT 27.
The two time MVP picked up a couple first downs early in the possession and then he finished off the drive with this strike to Bateman in the back of the end zone.
The Ravens ran it 9 times on that drive, many of them were Jackson QB keepers but Henry wanted in on the action and lined up at QB and took this run inside the 15 to set up the opening drive TD.
TOUCHDOWN RAVENS!!!!
Jackson with plenty of time in the pocket and he throws a strike to Bateman in the back of the end zone for a 12 yard TD on the opening drive of the Ravens' night.
BAL lead 7-0 with 4:45 to go.
Jackson was rushed out of the pocket and he just throws it away.
2nd and 10 form the 12.
Henry gets the direct snap out of the shot gun and he breaks a run to the left side and throws a big stiff arm at the end of the play for a 33 yard run!
1st and 10 from the 13.
Henry finds a big hold on the left side and he bursts up field for a gain of 12 yards and another first down.
1st and 10 from the PIT 46.
Short pass to Andrews on the stop route to the left side and he spins and stretches for the first down.
1st and 10 from the BAL 42.
Jackson rolls to the right side and tucks it towards the sideline for a gain of 4 yards. He got thrown to the ground and the crowd wanted a penalty but no flag flies.
2nd and 6 from the BAL 35.
Quick snap from Jackson and he keeps it again to the right side for five yards to move the chains.
1st and 10 from the BAL 31.
Jackson keeps it on the read option and takes it for 8 yards to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 1 from the BAL 26.
Jackson dropped back before tucking and trying to run up the middle, but he was stopped after a gain of a yard.
2nd and 9 from the BAL 18.
Jackson with the QB keeper out of the shotgun and he makes a move around a defender for a gain of 4 yards.
1st and 10 from the BAL 17.
After a false start on BAL, Jackson finds Likely for a pitch and catch of 8 yards on a pass out of the end zone.
3rd and 2 from the BAL 13.
Henry up the middle and he pick up four yards on the first down run.
2nd and 6 from the BAL 9.
Sims muffed the punt but recovered it at the 1 and took it to the five. That's where Lamar Jackson and the offense will take over.
Wilson tried to tuck it and run but Van Noy tracked him down from behind and dropped him after a short gain of 2.
4th and 4 from the PIT 39 and the Steelers will punt three minutes into this game.
Harris with a run to the right side and he picks up 4 yards to bring up 3rd and medium.
3rd and 6 from the PIT 37.
Wilson's pass to the left side for Williams on the out route was too far in front of the WR.
2nd and 10 from the PIT 33.
Fields come in at QB and he hands it off to Warren who picks up the first down on a four yard run.
1st and 10 from the PIT 33.
Short pass to Washington up the right seam and he turns for a 9 yard gain to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 1 form the 29.
Wilson looks to the left side with a short pass to Freiermuth and he dropped it.
2nd and 10 from the PIT 30.
The Steelers will start the game with the ball and here comes Russ Wilson and the offense from the 30.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM BALTIMORE!!!
One team has been knocked out and one team is already on to the next round. How will join the Houston Texans as the second team to qualify for the Divisional Round?
No battle of the brothers to come this year
One of the Harbaugh's is already out of the playoffs after the Chargers loss to the Texans, but Coach John Harbaugh is going try to and make sure there is still one brother left in the chase for the Lombardi Trophy.
Previous matchups
These two teams split the season series with each team winning their respective home game. In the first game in Pittsburgh it was a low scoring, defensive slugfest in which Jackson was kept under control and Derrick Henry got less than 20 rushes which usually translates to a loss for the Ravens. The Steelers and Chris Boswell kicked six field goals and that was enough to down the Ravens who could have tied the game up with a two point conversion but Lamar Jackson’s pass fell incomplete and the Steelers hung on for the 18-16 win
The second match up in Baltimore was played more at a rhythm that the Ravens prefer to play. This time Derrick Henry was involved early and often and he went for 162 yards while Lamar Jackson threw 3 TDs and Marlon Humphrey came up with the game winning pick six as the Ravens cruised to a 34-17 win to join the Steelers at the top of the AFC North.

QB watch:
We have a Super Bowl winner at QB for the Steelers against a two time MVP for the Ravens. Jackson was just named to the NFL First Team, and maybe on his way to his third MVP, but he wants what Wilson has. He wants the Lombardi Trophy.
No Flowers for Lamar
While the Ravens offense is coming into the first round of the playoffs rolling, they will be without one of their biggest stars on the offensive end. Let’s not confuse things, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are the commanders in chief for this Baltimore offense but Zay Flowers is a big part of the passing game. He is Jackson’s favorite target with 74 catches for 1,059 yards and four TDs. Their dynamic play maker has been ruled out of tonight’s game after suffering a knee injury against the Browns on the final week of the season. He could come back next week, but the Ravens will have to get through tonight before worrying about their star WR’s status from the divisional round.
Star watch: Steelers
The Steelers can’ win games with just Russell Wilson passing the ball. Their defense needs a break from bailing them out sometimes and the best way to do that is by running the ball. Najee Harris has been the top dog in the backfield for the last four years, going for 1,000 yards in each of those seasons but it’s been Jaylen Warren who has been stepping up and adding a different dynamic to the offense. He is a dual threat back that has been getting more and more playing time as Harris has seen his production come to a halt over the last month. Both of them will need to help control the pace of the game, because the more time you give Lamar Jackson with the ball in his hands, the more he is going to hurt you.
Star watch: Ravens
The Ravens have been in the mix in the AFC for the last half decade and that is because of one man. Their two time MVP is looking for his third Most Valuable Player award but has put a priority of making a deep playoff run. That is the only thing that has eluded Lamar Jackson who has had to hear about his inability to win the big one for the last few seasons. Jackson passed for 4,172 yards, 41 TDs and threw just 4 INTs in what was his most prolific passing season of his career, and on top of that he rushed for 915 yards coming just short of becoming the first QB to pass for 4,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards. He’s been playing his best ball over the final stretch of the season and now it’s time for him to show he is ready to lead Baltimore back to the Super Bowl and silence the few critics he still has left.

The Tale of the tape
One of the top offenses in the league going up against one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL. Jackson vs. Watt. Henry vs. Highsmith. Let's go!
Season recap: Ravens
After getting to the AFC Championship last year, all eyes were on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens coming into the season. They got a chance at redemption over the Chiefs in Week 1 and lost that game by an Isaiah Likely toe and then somehow lost a double digit lead in the second half to the Raiders to start their season 0-2. They would win 7 of their next 8 games include a blowout of the Bils and a tight one in a shootout over the Bengals, would lose to the Steelers to put them in a tough spot to win the division with seven weeks in the season remaining. They would ratted off five wins in their next six including their final four games to take the AFC North title and get the right to host at least one playoff game.
Season recap: Steelers
The Steelers went into free agency and tried to build their offense from the ground up after cutting ties with Kenny Pickett. They brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields within a matter of days as they hoped to ease the burden on the defense that has carried this franchise for years. Wilson got hurt preseason so Fields got the start and went 4-2 in his opening six games, but the offense still wasn’t clicking. Coach Mike Tomlin made the change at QB and in Week 7’s game against the Jets and Wilson won his first four games including one against the Ravens. A snowy showdown against the Browns started to show a few weaknesses for the PIT offense, and those resurfaced in the final four games of the season as they ended their slate with a gauntlet against the Eagles, Ravens, Chiefs and Bengals. Now the Steelers are in the playoffs as the underdogs, beaten and bruised, looking to win their first playoff game since 2016.
Last game: Ravens
The Ravens had what was more or less a dress rehearsal for the playoffs to end the regular season. They played a banged up Browns team that had Bailey Zappe in at QB, and the Ravens defense picked him off and took it for six in the first seven minutes of the game. A couple of Lamar Jackson TDs stretched the lead to 21-3 in the third quarter as the reigning MVP padded his stats to add to his back to back MVP bid. Derrick Henry iced the game in the final quarter running for two TDs, the last of which was from 43 yards out as the Ravens eased past Cleveland 35-10. Jackson had 217 yards and two TDs while Henry finished the game with 138 yards rushing and two TDs as the Ravens claimed the AFC North.
Last game: Steelers
The Steelers were on a three game losing skid heading into the final game of the regular season and had Week 18 showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals who needed a win and some outside help to have a chance to get into the postseason. The offense sputtered again as Russell Wilson threw for just 148 yards and the Steelers racked up less than 200 total yards against a defense that was considered one of the worst units in the league. Burrow had the Bengals up 10-0 in the first quarter with an early TD pass to Ja’marr Chase, but Najee Harris scored a second quarter TD to cut the Cincy lead to 10-7. A couple of Bengals field goals on each side of the half stretch the lead to two possessions, but Wilson found Pat Freiermuth with a 19 yard TD pass to cut into the lead with 8:00 to go in the 4th quarter. With the score at 19-14 deep in the last quarter, PIT punted the ball and got a huge break after the Bengals muffed a punt and gave Wilson the ball at the CIN 38. They could only kick a field goal to trim the lead to 2, but Wilson and the Steelers weren’t able to make the game winning drive after Freiermuth dropped a fourth down pass and the Steelers dropped their fourth straight game to end the regular season.
We are live from Baltimore
Hello everyone and welcome to M&T Stadium were the Baltimore Ravens are back at home hosting the opening round of the playoffs after winning their final four games and wrapping up the division. Now the stage is set for the two time MVP and his partner in crime in the backfield Derrick Henry. Neither have won a Super Bowl and neither may get a better chance to do it than this year, but they have to get by the Steelers before they can start looking at some of the bigger fish in the AFC. The Steelers have been a black beast of Lamar Jackson, so it’s fitting that will be the first team he faces during this postseason when all eyes will be on the reigning MVP to see if he can finally win the big one.
Steelers vs. Ravens
It’s an all AFC North battle in the Wild Card Round with two teams coming into the playoffs in very different fashions. One is on a four game winning streak and their two time NFL MVP is playing the best football of the season and maybe his career. The other team stumbled into the playoffs after losing their final four games and giving up the division lead to the team that is hosting this first round game. It’s the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers from M&T Bank Stadium and AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, scores and highlights of tonight’s first round match up from Baltimore.