Ravens Stifle Steelers Late Surge To Remain Undefeated
Rashod Bateman toasted former Raven Marlon Humphrey for a late touchdown that proved to be the difference in the 42-34 victory.
| Team | Q | Time | Play | Baltimore | Pittsburgh |
 | 1st | 2:23 | DK Metcalf, 11 Yd Pass From Anthony Richardson | 0 | 7 |
 | 2nd | 9:54 | Devontez Walker, 41 Yd Pass From Lamar Jackson | 7 | 7 |
| 2nd | 7:19 | Kaytron Allen, 1 Yd Run | 14 | 7 |
| 2nd | 7:08 | DK Metcalf, 75 Yd Pass From Anthony Richardson | 14 | 14 |
| 2nd | 4:14 | Mark Andrews, 54 Yd Pass From Lamar Jackson | 21 | 14 |
| 2nd | 1:10 | TJ Watt Returned Fumble 80 Yds | 21 | 21 |
| 3rd | 5:24 | Kendre Miller, 56 Yd Run | 28 | 21 |
| 4th | 5:24 | Kendre Miller, 29 Yd Run | 35 | 21 |
| 4th | 4:20 | Ryan Williams, 7 Yd Pass From Anthony Richardson (Failed 2PT) | 35 | 27 |
| 4th | 2:06 | Rashod Bateman, 34 Yd Pass From Lamar Jackson | 42 | 27 |
| 4th | 1:04 | DK Metcalf, 25 Yd Pass From Anthony Richardson | 42 | 34 |
Pittsburgh, PA. - The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered their first defeat since falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 of last season, and they have no one to blame but themselves.
Despite forcing three first-half turnovers from Lamar Jackson and mounting multiple fourth-quarter scoring drives, a series of questionable coaching decisions by Mike Tomlin and missed opportunities proved costly in a 42-35 loss to the rival Ravens on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
The defeat drops Pittsburgh to 6-1 and, more importantly, hands the 7-0 Ravens sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
The Steelers' inability to capitalize on early gifts from Baltimore set the tone for a frustrating afternoon. Jackson committed three first-half turnovers , one fumble and two interceptions, but Pittsburgh managed to convert them into just one touchdown, an 80-yard fumble return by T.J. Watt.
The most glaring missed opportunity came in the closing seconds of the first half. After intercepting Jackson deep in Ravens territory, the Steelers drove to second-and-goal with just two seconds remaining. Rather than settling for three points and a 24-21 halftime lead, Tomlin elected to go for the touchdown.
Anthony Richardson was sacked by Odafe Oweh, one of his three on the day, and the Steelers trudged into the locker room tied at 21, left to wonder what might have been.
The failed goal line attempt at the end of the half wasn't Tomlin's only aggressive decision that backfired. Throughout the game, the Steelers head coach repeatedly chose aggression over caution, and the Ravens made him pay nearly every time.
Early in the second quarter, facing fourth-and-1 from their own 37-yard line with the game tied at 7, Tomlin went for it. Keaton Mitchell's inside zone run was stuffed at the line of scrimmage, and three plays later, Ravens running back Kaytron Allen plunged in from a yard out to give Baltimore a 14-7 lead.
Then, in the third quarter with the game tied at 21, Tomlin faced another fourth-and-2 just across midfield. Again, he went for it. Again, Pittsburgh was stuffed on an inside run, this time to Quinshon Judkins.
The repercussions were immediate and devastating. On the very next play, Ravens running back Kendre Miller slashed through the Steelers' defense for a 56-yard touchdown, one of his two scoring runs in the second half, giving Baltimore a 28-21 advantage.
Despite the mistakes, Pittsburgh refused to quit. After falling into a 35-21 hole early in the fourth quarter, the Steelers finally found the end zone in the second half when Richardson connected with Ryan Williams on a 7-yard touchdown pass.
Puzzlingly, Tomlin elected to go for two, and the attempt was shut down, leaving Pittsburgh trailing by eight points instead of seven.
The Steelers' defense then came up with a critical stop. After a sack by Alex Highsmith, one of his three on the day, and a run stuff by linebacker Payton Wilson, Pittsburgh faced third-and-13 with just over two minutes remaining. One more stop would give the offense a chance to tie the game.
Instead, Ravens receiver Rashod Bateman delivered the play of the game.
Bateman torched former Baltimore cornerback Marlon Humphrey on a deep route, hauling in a 34-yard touchdown that extended the Ravens' lead to 42-28 with 2:16 remaining. Both players were seen jawing at each other after the score and had to be separated before officials could throw a flag.
Pittsburgh wasn't finished. Richardson drove the Steelers down the field in just four completions, finding DK Metcalf for his third touchdown of the game to cut the deficit to 42-35 with 1:04 left.
But with no timeouts remaining, the Steelers needed a miracle onside kick. They didn't get it. Baltimore's hands team easily recovered the kick, and the Ravens ran out the clock to secure the victory and sole possession of first place.
After the game, Tomlin stood by his aggressive approach, even as the decisions drew immediate criticism from analysts and fans.
"This is the type of matchup you expect against a hated rival," Tomlin said. "We made some questionable decisions, but we felt we needed splash plays to edge them and sometimes, they just don't work. We'll see them again later this year. If we take care of business, it'll be another marquee showdown."
The loss gives Baltimore a one-game lead in the division. With both Cincinnati (1-5) and Cleveland (1-6) struggling mightily, it's a two-team race in the AFC North — and the Ravens now control their own destiny.
Pittsburgh will look to rebound in Week 9 when they hit the road to face the Indianapolis Colts, giving Richardson a chance to face his former team for the second time since the trade that changed both franchises.
Anthony Richardson | 21/34, 307 Yds, 4 TD, INT; 6 Att, 34 Yds Lamar Jackson | 23/30, 384 Yds, 3 TD, 2 INT; 2 Att, -6 Yds Quinshon Judkins | 6 Att, 24 Yds Kendre Miller | 9 Att, 94 Yds, 2 TD DK Metcalf | 9 Rec, 225 Yds, 3 TD Mark Andrews | 5 Rec, 121 Yds, TD EDGE Alex Highsmith | 7 Tkl, 5 TFL, 3 Sacks, FF LB Payton Wilson | 5 Tkl, 4 TFL, 2 Sacks EDGE TJ Watt | 5 Tkl, 3 TFL, Sack, FR, TD MLB Roquan Smith | 10 Tkl, 2 TFL, Sack, FF EDGE Odafe Oweh | 9 Tkl, 3 TFL, 3 Sacks SS Isaiah Nwokobia | 5 Tkl, INT
