The Pittsburgh Steelers are back at home in Acrisure Stadium this week to host the Baltimore Ravens in an important AFC North game. The Ravens seem to be just hitting their stride while the Steelers are still deep in thick of having more questions than answers.
It is not all bleak, as history is on the Steelers’ side in a number of ways. Whether it be their 6-2 record through the last eight games against Baltimore, or Mike Tomlin’s 11-2 record bouncing back from 20-plus point losses, the Steelers always seem to find a way and it’s hard to bet against that.
Lamar Jackson is under a new offensive coordinator, Todd Monken, and he has been asked to throw the ball way more than in previous seasons. He has fared well, so the added level of versatility he brings will be tough for the Steelers to handle.
Kenny Pickett is returning from an injury that held him out of the fourth quarter of the Texans game, and will be looking to silence some of the overwhelming negativity surrounding both himself and this team. With a 2-2 record, a win in this game would put the Steelers in first place in the division with a positive record heading into the bye week. Win pretty or win ugly, this game carries more weight than others for a number of reasons.
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Steelers’ Inactive Players:
QB Mason Rudolph (3rd)
T Dan Moore Jr.
G James Daniels
P Pressley Harvin III
TE Pat Freiermuth
DL DeMarvin Leal
RB Godwin Igwebuike
Ravens’ Inactive Players:
QB Josh Johnson (3rd)
OLB Odafe Oweh
T Morgan Moses
CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
G Sala Aumavae-Laulu
TE Charlie Kolar
Kenny Pickett is warming up without a brace that many speculated he would have. It must really be a non-concern for any further injury there. Bone bruises hurt, I can vouch for that myself, but he should be fine today.
The Steelers won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. Baltimore will start with the ball.
START OF GAME
Lamar Jackson kept the ball for a 23 yard gain on 3rd down.
On 1st and 10, Jackson had Zay Flowers wide open, but Flowers dropped the ball. On 2nd, he tried to find Mark Andrews, but it fell incomplete. 3rd and 10, another target for Flowers, but it fell incomplete. The punt was downed at the 4 yard line.
The first two plays were runs to Najee Harris and he gained 4 total yards. On 3rd and 6, Pickett complete to Connor Heyward for 6 yards. They are spotting it as a first down.
On 1st and 10, Najee Harris up the middle for 5 yards. On 2nd down, Najee up the middle for just 1. On 3rd, Pickett incomplete intended for George Pickens.
Brad Wing’s punt went 47 yards, returned 8 to the 41 of Baltimore.
On the first two plays of the drive, Agholor caught a pass from Jackson for 12 yards and 14 yards respectively. The Ravens are now knocking on the door of the red zone.
Keanu Neal was injured on the first down run play, but he got up and walked off on his own.
1st and 10 from the 14, Jackson incomplete to Flowers, rejected by TJ Watt at the line. On 2nd Justice Hill went up the middle and found the hole for a touchdown. 7-0 Ravens.
The kickoff resulted in a touchback. On 1st and 10, Kenny Pickett tucked and ran for about 3 yards. On 2nd and 7, Harris picked up two yards up the middle. On 3rd and 5, Pickett1st and targeted Calvin Austin III, but it fell incomplete. The boos are showering down on the field early.
Brad Wing’s punt went 44 yards and was returned just 5. The Ravens will take over from the 32.
Kwon Alexander brought down Flowers after a 5 yard gain. On 2nd and 5, Justice Hill evaded multiple tackles and converted with a 6 yard pickup.
On 1st and 10, Jackson scrambled up the middle for 8. On 2nd and 2, Hill up the middle for about 3 and a fresh set of downs.
On 1st and 10, Jackson connected with Mark Andrews for 16.
On 1st and 10, Gus Edwards gained 3, stopped by Keeanu Benton. On 2nd and 7, Jackson scrambled for 6 yards. On 3rd and 1, Hill up the middle for 3.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: 7-0 RAVENS.
On 1st and 10, Jackson to Justice Hill out on the perimeter for 2 yards. On 2nd, Odell Beckham Jr. caught a pass over the middle for 6. On 2nd and 2, Hill up the middle for 6 yards.
Beckham Jr. is going into the locker room with some sort of injury or equipment issue.
On 1st and goal, Flowers on the end around for no gain. On 2nd, Jackson incomplete to Andrews. On 3rd and goal from the 4, Bateman dropped the pass in the end zone. The field goal is good. 10-0 Ravens.
Desmond King took the kickoff out of the end zone for 19 yards. Offensive holding backed up the offense to the 10 to start. On 1st and 10, Roquan Smith was all over Darnell Washington. It should have been DPI, but no call and the ball was incomplete. On 2nd and 10, Pickett found George Pickens along the sideline for 21 yards. A tough catch to make, but he made it.
On 1st and 10, Pickett to Allen Robinson for 8 yards. On 2nd, Jaylen Warren picked up 4 to convert.
On 1st and 10, Pickett incomplete to George Pickens. On 2nd, Warren picked up 4 yards off left tackle. Pickett rolled out of the pocket and found Connor Heyward to convert for 12 yards.
On 1st and 10, Pickett attempted deep to Pickens, but it was slightly overthrown. On 2nd, Pickett complete to Robinson for 4 yards along the right sideline. On 3rd and 6, Pickett was sacked by Arthur Maulet.
Brad Wing’s punt was fair caught at the 8 yard line.
On 1st and 10, Gus Edwards went up the middle for 3 yards. On 2nd, he picked up another 9.
On 1st and 10, Mark Andrews picked up 13 for yet another fresh set of downs.
On 1st and 10, Edwards stopped for no gain by Elandon Roberts. On 2nd and 10, Larry Ogunjobi punched the ball out recovered by Damontae Kazee. A huge and timely play for this defense.
Kenny Pickett threw the ball away on 1st down. On 2nd and 10, Pickett complete short in the middle of the field to George Pickens for 11 yards.
On 1st and 10, a little trickery that resulted in George Pickens on the end around for 16 yards.
On 1st and 10, Pickett targeted Miles Boykin, but it fell incomplete. On 2nd, a loss of 1 to Jaylen Warren. On 3rd and 11, Pickett had to throw the ball away with good coverage down field and pressure coming. Chris Boswell good from 43. 10-3 Ravens.
The kickoff resulted in a touchback.
On 1st and 10, Jackson complete to Mark Andrews for 10.
On 1st and 10, Jackson incomplete to Flowers. On 2nd, Jackson scrambled for a loss of one.
TWO MINUTE WARNING
3rd and 11, Mark Andrews converted crossing the field into the flat.
On 1st and 10, TJ Watt sacked Lamar Jackson for a loss of 9. On 2nd, Justice Hill gained 1 yard. 3rd and 18, Jackson complete to Flowers for 29. That is a tough one to let up. The Ravens are now in field goal range.
On 1st and 10, Jackson incomplete to Andrews in the flat. On 2nd, another incompletion this time deep to Beckham Jr. Timeout #2 called by Baltimore. On 3rd and 10, Jackson complete to Agholor for 8. On 4th and 2, Jackson nearly sacked and threw the ball away. Turnover on downs.
Kenny Pickett killed the clock with a kneel down.
END OF HALF: 10-3 RAVENS.
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