In a crucial game with postseason implications, the Pittsburgh Steelers emerged victorious over the Baltimore Ravens with a score of 17-10 on Saturday. The win at M&T Bank Stadium kept the Steelers’ playoff hopes alive as they finished the regular season with a 10-7 record.
Steelers’ quarterback Mason Rudolph played a pivotal role, throwing a 71-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson in the fourth quarter. The team’s defense, led by T.J. Watt, who recorded two sacks, was instrumental in containing the Ravens’ offense. However, Watt’s exit due to a knee injury remains a concern for the Steelers.
The Ravens (13-4), who had already clinched the top seed in the AFC, rested MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and several other starters. Tyler Huntley took the reins at quarterback, and despite a spirited effort, the team couldn’t sustain its six-game winning streak.
Pittsburgh’s opening score came from a 6-yard touchdown run by Najee Harris. Baltimore responded with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Huntley to Isaiah Likely. The Steelers’ decisive third-quarter touchdown and a subsequent field goal extended their lead, which the Ravens couldn’t overcome despite a late field goal by Justin Tucker.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin and his team will now await the outcomes of other games, particularly those involving Buffalo and Jacksonville, to determine their playoff fate.
For the Ravens, Lamar Jackson’s absence was a strategic decision, preserving key players for the playoffs. Linebacker Roquan Smith, although active, didn’t play, and several other notable players were inactive.
Injuries were a concern for both teams, with the Ravens losing safety Geno Stone to a knee injury and linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips to a shoulder injury, while defensive lineman Brent Urban was evaluated for a concussion.
The Steelers’ postseason chances now hinge on the results of Sunday’s games, while the Ravens, with a first-round bye secured, will host their playoff opener.
