Steelers Grind Out Victory Over Ravens to Remain in Playoff Chase
With playoff hopes alive for the Steelers, the Ravens, and Steelers kicked off the final week of the 2023 regular season in a game that was sloppy from the start due to constant rain and wind and had each team fumbling twice throughout the afternoon. The game would be a battle between which team would be able to run the ball effectively and manage to execute the basic fundamentals to come out on top at M&T Bank Stadium. Ultimately, the Steelers would prove to get the better of the Ravens’ backups as they came away with a 17-10 victory to keep their hopes of clinching a playoff berth alive heading into Sunday’s games.
In the game, there would be limited scoring throughout as both offenses struggled to get a consistent rhythm going as a result of messy weather conditions. The Steelers would get on the board first toward the end of the opening quarter following a 6-yard touchdown run up the middle by running back Najee Harris to take a 7-0 lead. The Ravens would eventually put together a good-looking drive towards the end of the first half that concluded in a 27-yard touchdown pass by backup quarterback Tyler Huntley to tight end Isaiah Likely that would tie the game up at 7-7 with two minutes left in the half. The Steelers would squander a chance to get a field goal heading into halftime after quarterback Mason Rudolph got stripped sacked by linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
There would be no scoring in the third quarter as there would be five punts combined in the quarter. On the Steelers' first play of the fourth quarter, Rudolph would connect with wide receiver Diontae Johnson for a 71-yard-deep pass touchdown to retake a 14-7 lead. The Steelers would continue to drain the clock as Harris and running back Jaylen Warren would get the ball on most plays in the final minutes. Pittsburgh would capitalize on a fumble by Ravens’ running back Gus Edwards to make the game a two-score affair at 17-7 after kicker Chris Boswell would knock through a 25-yard field goal with three minutes left in the contest. The Ravens would cut the Pittsburgh lead to 17-10 with 16 seconds remaining following a 36-yard field goal by kicker Justin Tucker. The Ravens would attempt an onside kick, but Pittsburgh would manage to jump on the ball and hang on to beat their division rivals.
In the victory, Rudolph would be a game manager for Pittsburgh, as he would make plays when needed and only turn the ball over once on a stripped sack fumble. Rudolph would finish the game going 18 for 20, with 152 passing yards and one touchdown pass. Due to the rainy conditions, the Steelers would rely heavily on Harris in the run game. Harris would complete the game with 26 carries for 112 yards and one touchdown run. The game-changing pass play for Pittsburgh would come from wideout Diontae Johnson, who would finish the game with four receptions for 89 yards and one touchdown catch. According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, the Steelers would end up losing star pass rusher T.J. Watt in the fourth quarter to a Grade 3 MCL sprain, which would be a big blow to the Steelers’ defense if they find themselves in the playoffs.
The Ravens would end up resting a majority of their key offensive and defensive starters due to having locked up the top seed in the AFC last week. As a result, Huntley would start in replace of Lamar Jackson, and Huntley would end the game going 15 for 28, with 146 passing yards and one touchdown throw. The Steelers will head into tomorrow’s game needing a Bills loss to the Dolphins or a Jaguars loss or tie to the Titans to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2021. Meanwhile, the Ravens will head into their first-round bye preparing for the Divisional Round later in the month.
