Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh

Lamar Jackson Can't Overcome Early Mistakes as Ravens Comeback Against Steelers Falls Short

Lamar Jackson looked human in accounting for four turnovers but still nearly rallied the Baltimore Ravens to a last-second victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. In the end, however, the Steelers (7-0) remain the NFL's only unbeaten team and Baltimore (5-2) is in a bit of a hole approaching the halfway point of the season in their quest to three-peat in the AFC North with Pittsburgh holding on for a 28-24 win. 

Despite throwing two interceptions (one being a pick-six) and losing a fumble up to this point, Jackson had a chance to score the winning points twice in the final two minutes. First, on fourth-and-3 from the Steelers' 8-yard-line, he fumbled on a quarterback draw, accounting for his fourth turnover. After getting the ball back, the Ravens drove to the Pittsburgh 23, but Jackson's throw to the end zone on the final play was broken up. 

There was heavy rain at M&T Bank Stadium that let up before the game started, but the slick conditions and strong defenses led to a typical, hard-hitting game between the two rivals, but Baltimore just couldn't overcome the miscues.

Marcus Peters recovered a fumble for the Ravens, but the 4-1 turnover score directly led to the outcome.

"[The turnovers were] the difference in the game in some ways, obviously, and that's part of it," head coach John Harbaugh said following the game. "We're disappointed with that part of [Jackson's performance; we're very happy with other parts of it. I thought he competed, made a lot of great throws and runs, and things like that. It's a mixed bag in that sense, but of course, we're not pleased with losing the turnover battle."

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Overall, Jackson was 13-for-28 with 208 passing yards, two touchdowns, the two interceptions, and 65 rushing yards on 16 carries. J.K. Dobbins led the team on the ground with 113 yards, and Gus Edwards added 87 yards and a score. Willie Snead IV was by far the leading receiver with five catches totaling 106 yards. 

There was a bit of controversy on the final play, as there appeared to be contact from Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Hayward's shoulder to Snead's helmet, and Harbaugh was looking for a personal foul to be called on the play, which would've given the Ravens an untimed down from around the 12-yard line.

"[Snead] had a heck of a game. …I feel for him a little bit because I think that play would've been made in the end zone also to win the game, and it would've been historic," Harbaugh said. "It would've been that kind of play. You just want to see your players protected. You want to see them protected just like the rules say they should be."

GAME RECAP

The game got off to a rough start for Baltimore when Jackson threw an interception to Robert Spillane on the third play from scrimmage. Spillane then took it back 33 yards for a score to give Pittsburgh a quick 7-0 lead.

Jackson was able to shake off that turnover, however, as on the next possession, he led the Ravens on a 10-play drive that chewed up nearly six minutes of the clock and ended with a six-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Miles Boykin on third and goal to tie the game. 

The Ravens missed an opportunity later in the first quarter after Peters recovered a fumble from Chase Claypool. On second and goal from the Steelers 8, Jackson was sacked by Bud Dupree and fumbled the ball back over to Pittsburgh. 

Baltimore was next to strike paydirt when Edwards rushed in from a yard out midway through the second quarter to give the Ravens a 14-7 lead. Justin Tucker tacked on a 51-yard field goal just before halftime to put Baltimore up 17-7, and the defense had held AFC North opponents without an offensive touchdown in nine-straight quarters at that point. 

That streak ended, however, shortly after halftime when Ben Roethlisberger found Eric Ebron over the middle and turned it into an 18-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 17-14. The next Steelers possession  also resulted in a score when James Conner put it into the end zone from a yard out, giving Pittsburgh a 21-17 lead in what was turning into another classic, back-and-forth meeting between two of the NFL's biggest rivals.

After the teams traded punts, the Ravens opened the fourth quarter with a scoring drive that ended with a Jackson three-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown, putting Baltimore back up 24-21 in this seesaw battle. It didn't last long though, as Roethlisberger threw nine-straight passes on the ensuing drive, ending with an eight-yard TD reception by Claypool to reach what would be the final score of 28-24 after Baltimore fell short on their final two possessions.

INJURY REPORT

The Ravens suffered a blow on the offensive line, as left tackle Ronnie Stanley, fresh off a contract extension, suffered an ankle injury late in the first quarter that will end his season prematurely. He was seen after the game sporting an air cast.

"I feel bad for Ronnie," Harbaugh said. "But I'll say this: the guys that stepped in, they played very well. Orlando [Brown Jr.] played very well. D.J. Fluker played very well. We're very confident in those players going forward."

UP NEXT

Baltimore is now two games behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North race, but are still in solid shape overall at 5-2. Up next is the Indianapolis Colts, who are also 5-2 after winning 41-21 at Detroit today and tied atop the AFC South with Tennessee. The Ravens, Colts, and Titans are the three 5-2 teams in the AFC, so this could be a key game for wild card playoff positioning if the Steelers end up running away with the division. Fortunately for Baltimore, Cleveland fell to Las Vegas this week to drop to 5-3, leaving the Ravens in second place in the North. 

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