In the third and most important battle in the 2014-15 season between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, the home team had to play without its top running back and team MVP. The absence of Le’Veon Bell for the Pittsburgh Steelers proved to be too much as the Ravens advanced to an AFC Divisional playoff date next week at New England, winning 30-17 Saturday night at Heinz Field.
Pittsburgh controlled much of the first half, dominating time of possession and earning 70 more yards, but Baltimore had a 10-9 lead at the intermission. In the first quarter, only Shaun Suisham put any points on the board for the Steelers, giving Pittsburgh a 3-0 lead with a 45-yard field goal. Baltimore’s Bernard Pierce completed an eight-play, 80-yard drive to give the Ravens a 7-3 advantage before Suisham and Tucker traded field goals later in the second quarter. With less than two minutes remaining, Pittsburgh engineered a drive resulting in another Suisham field goal, this one from 47 yards, to pull to within one point at halftime.
Baltimore would open the second half with another field goal by Tucker and, with four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Joe Flacco found Torrey Smith for a touchdown, giving Baltimore a 20-9 lead that put the Steelers on the ropes. Four minutes into the fourth quarter, Martavis Bryant caught a six yard scoring pass from Ben Roethlisberger, but a failed two-point conversion left the score at 20-15 with 11 minutes to go. Baltimore settled for another Tucker field goal on the ensuing drive and, on the next drive, Roethlisberger was intercepted on a desperation short pass attempt to Ben Tate when he was under pressure. The ball deflected off Tate’s hands and was picked by Terrell Suggs. Baltimore scored on the next play, a 21-yard pass from Flacco to Crockett Gilmore, essentially cementing the victory for the Ravens.
Late, a punt was blocked into the end zone for a safety to bring the Steelers within 13, but it was far too little, too late. Flacco was 18-29 for 259 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked just once. His top target was Steve Smith, Sr., who caught five passes for 101 yards. Owen Daniels added 70 yards on four catches. On the ground for the Ravens, there were only 49 yards gained on 25 carries. Justin Forsett had 36 on 16 attempts to lead the Ravens.
Pittsburgh’s ground game, without Bell, was not much more successful. Josh Harris had 25 yards on nine carries and Tate added 19 on five tries. Roethlisberger was 31-45 for 334 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, the one by Suggs and another late by safety Darian Stewart. Antonio Brown caught nine Roethlisberger passes for 117 yards, Heath Miller had six receptions and Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant each added five.
“I want to apologize to all the fans and my teammates,” said Roethlisberger, “because I didn’t make enough plays to win this game. It’s gonna sting for awhile.”
The Steelers settled for three first half field goals, punted from Baltimore territory on the opening drive, and had three turnovers on the last three possessions. Miller lost a fumble on the final Pittsburgh drive, allowing Baltimore to run out the clock and seal the victory. Squandered opportunities, injuries, and careless penalties made life difficult for a team that is mostly experienced in the playoffs.
“We have to convert in the red zone,” said tackle Kelvin Beachum. “We know what we have to do…we didn’t do it.”
Pittsburgh also had eight penalties for an astonishing 114 yards, including several personal fouls, pass interference, and a holding call that took points off the board when it had appeared Dri Archer scored.
Heading into an offseason full of questions regarding the status of many free agents, Pittsburgh may have seen the last of Troy Polamalu, Brett Keisel, Ike Taylor and others in the black and gold uniform. Maurkice Pouncey and Jason Worilds are other notable names who may not be on the roster next year. Also, James Harrison could retire for good, leaving a number of holes on a defense that struggled at times throughout this season.
“This team’s not going to be the same next year and it breaks my heart,” said defensive end Cameron Heyward, emotional when asked about the potential departure of the likes of Polamalu, Keisel and Harrison, in particular. “You’ll never know how much these guys sacrificed. We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.”
This was the first time Pittsburgh has lost to an opponent when playing that team a third time in the same season. The Steelers were 9-0 in such situations entering the game. Baltimore had also never won in Pittsburgh in the playoffs.
“It’s a great achievement,” said Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs. “We’re going to enjoy this plane ride home. But we all know who we’re dealing with next.”
Baltimore plays at New England in the AFC Divisional round next Sunday.
