In what was a must-win type of game this Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers took their eighth loss of the season against the inter division AFC North opponents, the Baltimore Ravens. The loss came, despite the Ravens having their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson out due to an injury suffered just one week ago. This game was a perfect opportunity for the Steelers to gain some ground on the AFC North division leaders, with the division and playoff berth still within grasp. While many expected the Steelers to come out victorious, they might have come out of this game in worse shape than what they were when it started.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) attempts a completion in 16-14 loss vs the Baltimore Ravens. | Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were not helped by the injury bug either, as they saw their rookie first round pick quarterback, Kenny Pickett head to the locker room with concussion symptoms in the first quarter that kept him out the remainder of the game. The Steelers offense turned to six-year NFL veteran backup, Mitch Trubisky to lead the team to victory, in one of the most important games of the season. Trubisky’s performance was shaky. He was definitely efficient, throwing 22 completions on 30 attempts for 276 yards and a solo touchdown to Pat Freiermuth. Out of his eight misses, three of them were interceptions in enemy territory that cost the Steelers potential points on the board.
In true Steeler fashion, this game was left in the hands of our defense, one that came into the contest with a rank of 15th in the NFL in total rushing and had not allowed a rusher to exceed 100 yards against them on the year so far. That all changed Sunday, as the Ravens' J.K. Dobbins made his return known, rushing 15 times for 120 yards, while his backup, Gus Edwards did some damage of his own (13 rushes for 66 yards).
All in all, the Ravens threw the ball a total of just 17 times, completing just 11 of them for 108 yards, while rushing a total of 41 times for 215 yards and I think it is safe to say, the whole stadium knew what the Ravens offensive game plan was as soon as their offense hit the field. For whatever reason, it could just not be stopped. Something that left our defensive captain, Cam Heyward, scratching his head:
“Yeah, and that is the head scratcher because everything is down-hill, so you should know where it is going by that point. To not get off the field and just give our offense more of a chance. That stings the most. I screwed up on a numerous amount of plays, trying to do too much. That's what we all did and as a leader, I need to take more account for it.”
With that being said, this same Steelers defense had a chance to close out the game and put the ball back in our offense's hands, with just over a minute left to go in the game. Following a Steelers touchdown, the Ravens offense came back out on the field with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter, with the idea of running the clock out clearly on their minds. In order to do so, they would have to secure just one first down. That idea was on the minds of everyone, including the Steelers themselves.
Despite this, the Ravens rushing attack, led by Dobbins, gained a first down within three rushing attempts and secured themselves a victory, all just shortening the Steelers slim playoff hopes.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Chris Wormley (95) makes a tackle on Baltimore Ravens' Gus Edwards (35) in a 16-14 loss at Acrisure Stadium. | Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
“It's devastating, it’s heartbreaking. That is all we are on the field to do, is get that ball back to the offense to give them another shot. The game was in reach and they just got the first down when they needed it and we didn't get the stop. It definitely sucks for sure.” said Steelers linebacker Myles Jack.
“We understood what it was. Everyone was in a three point stance basically. It’s just gut check time. And we just did not answer at that point.”
Despite the loss, the Steelers do still have a very slim shot at a playoff berth, but are going to need some help for other teams to make that dream become a reality. The health of their future under center is what's most important and I am sure we will hear reports regarding Pickett's injury status out early this week. But even if he is good to go, is it worth throwing him out there for a team that maybe already blew its playoff hopes?
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