Today’s the day. With a win, the Pittsburgh Steelers will capture the AFC North and send the Baltimore Ravens packing. With a loss, the Steelers aren’t eliminated but will need a lot of help in Week 17.
I’m filling in for Matthew Marczi today for your update and live chat. Mine will probably be more abridged than what Matthew usually does but as always, chat/cheer/yell about the game in the comment section below with my favorite Steelers’ fans around.
Let me hear your predictions for today’s game and who you think the X Factor is.
The Ravens started out with a promising drive, a gainer to Mike Wallace after Chris Boswell booted the opening kickoff out of bounds but the Steelers’ defense tightened up and forced a punt.
Steelers ball in Ravens’ territory.
Pittsburgh put on a clinic on their opening drive, moving the ball 87 yards in nine plays and ending in a Xavier Grimble 20 yard touchdown.
Despite the Ravens hitting a big play on their next drive, a long completion to Steve Smith compounded by an Artie Burns’ personal foul, the Steelers’ defenses settled in and held the Ravens to three. Justin Tucker finished things off with a 41 yard field goal.
7-3 Steelers lead late in the first quarter.
The Steelers tried to get another drive started. But a 3rd and 4 turned into 3rd and 19 after a false start on Le’Veon Bell and an offensive pass interference on Antonio Brown, the latter negating a 67 yard gain. Steelers forced to punt.
Ravens driving. Drive kept alive by a questionable helmet to helmet call on Ryan Shazier as he brought down Kyle Juszczyk on 3rd and 4. 15 yard penalty and the drive stayed alive.
A bad snap on 4th and 21 ruins the chances for a Tucker field goal. Steelers still lead 7-3.
Steelers run game still looking strong, Bell up to 61 yards on the day, but the drive stalls out. Ravens will have the ball at their 15 with about 11 minutes to go in the half.
Ravens get a run game going and show a couple cracks but a holding call by TE Nick Boyle on James Harrison puts them behind the sticks. Again, defense bends, doesn’t break. Still 7-3.
A six play drive ends things for the Steelers, coming up short on a Bell run on 3rd and 3. Jordan Berry to punt.
Ravens have the ball on the Steelers’ 36 with 48 seconds left. Too many missed tackles.
Ravens finish the drive with a 38 yard field goal by Justin Tucker. Steelers still lead, 7-6, with 18 seconds in the half. Steelers ball at halftime.
