With a little help, the Pittsburgh Steelers recorded a 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens to move into first place in the AFC North.
The help occurred late in the fourth quarter after it appeared that Lamar Jackson had thrown a go-ahead touchdown pass to Isaiah Likely. But after some discussion, the officials overturned the play, citing that Likely did not finish the catch before losing control of the ball.
Instead of getting a touchdown, the Ravens turned the ball over on downs after Patrick Queen broke up Jackson's fourth-down pass intended for Mark Andrews. Baltimore got one more chance with the ball, but its hopes of a comeback were dashed when Alex Highsmith sacked Jackson on the game's final play.
Pittsburgh led 17-9 at halftime and had a 27-16 lead through three quarters. The Steelers received a huge game from Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 284 yards while scoring touchdowns in the air and on the ground. His favorite target was DK Metcalf, who caught seven passes for a season-high 148 yards.
Baltimore was led by Derrick Henry's 94 yards on 25 carries and Zay Flowers' 124 yards receiving. Jackson had a gritty game that included his first rushing touchdown since Week 1, but he and his teammates were unable to overcome several bad bounces, most notably Likely's score that was overturned.
Here's a closer look at how the Steelers improved to 7-6 while dropping the Ravens to 6-7.
You could argue that this was Rodgers' best game as a Steeler so far. Now three weeks removed from suffering multiple fractures to his left wrist, Rodgers looked much more like himself than he did during last week's ugly loss to the Bills. He took snaps from under center (which didn't happen last week) while directing five scoring drives.
Rodgers set the tone with a 55-yard completion to Metcalf on Pittsburgh's first play. He then started the second half with a 41-yard completion to Metcalf that helped extend the Steelers' lead to 11 points.
Rodgers, after a Baltimore touchdown cut Pittsburgh's lead to four points, threw what turned out to be the game-winning score by hitting Jaylen Warren on a short completion that Warren turned into a 38-yard score.
With Baltimore's offense scoring nearly at will in the second half and with no semblance of a running game, the Steelers needed Rodgers to play at a high level. That's exactly what they got.
After getting embarrassed last week, the Steelers' defense came out determined not to allow Derrick Henry to beat them. Pittsburgh's ability to hold Henry to 34 yards (on 11 carries) in the first half played a role in its 17-9 halftime lead. James Pierre's interception of Lamar Jackson also loomed large as it set up Kenneth Gainwell's touchdown run that stretched the Steelers' lead to 17-3 late in the first half.
Henry was more productive in the second half, but the Steelers ability to mitigate his big plays was significant to the game's outcome. More so, Pittsburgh's red zone prowess forced Baltimore to settle for too many field goals while also resulting in Queen's fourth-down breakup after Likely's touchdown was overturned.
Fittingly, the game ended with yet another big play by the Steelers' defense.
A common theme for the Ravens this year has been their inability to get our of their own way. That was the case on Thanksgiving when they turned the ball over six times in a loss to the Bengals. And while they took much better care of the ball today, Baltimore once again contributed to its demise on Sunday with more self-inflicted wounds.
A perfect example of this was what happened late in the fourth quarter. Had Likely hung onto the ball, the Ravens would have taken the lead with less than three minutes to play. Instead, Likely put the game into the hands of the officials, who determined that he was unable to complete the catch.
Baltimore got no points on the drive after Jackson's pass for Andrews was batted down by Queen, a former Raven. But the Ravens still got another chance with the ball after their defense forced a quick three-and-out.
The Ravens, however, continued to hurt themselves after a penalty on the ensuing punt moved the ball from their 36 to their 26-yard line. Baltimore lost 10 more yards a play later on a holding call.
Despite all of this, Jackson kept hope alive with an 8-yard completion to Likely on a fourth-and-2 play with under a minute left. He completed two more that got the Ravens into Steelers territory before Highsmith's sack ran out the rest of the clock.
Baltimore's former MVP quarterback is clearly playing in pain. He missed time earlier this season with an injury, and an ankle injury limited his practice time this past week.
Despite the injuries, Jackson still managed to throw for 219 yards and a touchdown while also picking up 43 yards and a score on seven carries. He was part of a Ravens' rushing attack that outrushed the Steelers, 217-34.
The Steelers have now regained first place of the AFC North with four weeks to go. Of the Steelers' final four opponents, only one (the Lions, whom the Steelers play in Week 16) have a winning record. Conversely, the Ravens' remaining schedule is much tougher: Week 15 at Cincinnati, Week 16 vs. Patriots, Week 17 at Packers and Week 18 at Steelers.
Alex Highsmith sacks Jackson on the game's final play, sealing the Steelers' 27-22 win. Pittsburgh goes to 7-6 and in first place in the AFC North. Ravens fall to 6-7.
Jackson throws a 19-yard strike to Kolar to the 39-yard-line with 16 seconds left. Steelers decide to call time.
Ravens could potentially take two deep shots.
Jackson hits Likely on a fourth-and-2 play and spikes the ball with 31 seconds left from their own 42.
Baltimore keeps its time out after Rodgers and MVS aren't able to connect on third down. Even if they had converted, it wouldn't have mattered as it wasn't close to the sticks.
Ravens will start at their own 33 with one timeout with 1:56 left.
Patrick Queen breaks up Jackson's fourth-down pass to Mark Andrews. The Steelers take over on downs, but this isn't over as the Ravens still have all of their timeouts and the two-minute warning.
It looked like the Ravens took the lead as Jackson hits Likely in the end zone. But Likely lost control of the ball on his third step. Baltimore now has a huge fourth down.
Jackson hits Flowers for six yards, getting the first down by a yard.
Ravens maintain possession just past midfield with 4:17 left.
The former Steelers linebacker is getting medical attention on the field. Queen was injured last week, but he wasn't going to miss the chance to play his former team.
Baltimore is facing a fourth-and-5 from its own 46.
Refs initially stated that Teddye Buchanan picked off Rodgers, but Rodgers appeared to have equal possession after getting his hands on the tipped pass. Equal possession goes to the offensive player, so the Steelers should retain possession.
Pittsburgh does retain possession.
Steelers do have to punt, though, giving the Ravens the ball with a chance to win the game with less than six minute left.
Baltimore has to settle for a FG, but they are able to cut into its lead while scoring on its fourth straight drive.
With 7:10 left, the Steelers at the least need to possess the ball for a bit here to ensure that the Ravens will have limited time if they get the ball again. Pittsburgh has had a lot of success in the air, but penalties and a lack of ground game has hindered them at times.
Henry goes outside for a four-yard gain on fourth-and-1 from the Steelers' 24.
Ravens back in the red zone, down eight, with 8:10 left. The drive started with a 35-yard completion to Flowers.
A delay of game on the Steelers turned a third-and-6 into a third-and-11. The Steelers punted after settling for a short completion on third down.
Making the penalty more costly was the fact that it looked like Pittsburgh had the right play to possibly get the first down prior to the penalty. They had Gainwell on a short throw behind three blocks.
Instead of a first down, the Ravens' offense is back on the field, down eight, with 11:19 left. Ravens have scored on each of their last three drives.
A crucial drop by Rashod Bateman on a third-and-4 play forces the Ravens to settle for a short FG. That makes it a 27-19 game with 13:43 to play.
It was a great play by Jackson, who avoided Patrick Queen's rush before finding Bateman, who likely would have scored had he caught the ball.
One thing to monitor: Brandin Echols left the drive early after suffering an apparent injury.
Baltimore is down 11, but they've got the ball in the red zone to start the fourth quarter.
It looks like this game is going to come down to Pittsburgh's red zone defense and whether or not the Steelers' offense can continue to move the ball in the fourth quarter. The Ravens are on the precipice of scoring on three straight drives, but Pittsburgh has also scored on its last two possessions.
Rodgers hits Jaylen Warren for an untouched 38-yard TD on third down. Steelers respond to Ravens touchdowns with scores of their own as this game has turned into a shootout.
It's 27-16 Steelers with 3:30 left in the third. Rodgers up to 280 yards, over 200 more than Jackson.
Rodgers throws a dime to Calvin Austin III for 31 yards on third-and-5, extending the Steelers' drive. That was a gorgeous throw by Rodgers who is arguably having his best game as a Steeler.
Andrus Peat is down after suffering an apparent injury on Pittsburgh's second drive of the second half. He's been playing in place of Broderick Jones, who was recently placed on IR with a neck injury.
Swing tackle Dylan Cook will come in for Peat.
Keaton Mitchell, who has had a bigger role in today's game, just ripped off a 55-yard run before being chased down by James Pierre. His big run set up Jackson's TD pass to Isaiah Likely, cutting Baltimore's deficit to 20-16.
You wonder if Steelers' defense is slated for another second half collapse after watching that. Baltimore made it look really easy.
For a second time, the Steelers have to settle for a Boswell FG in the red zone. Rodgers off the mark on a third down pass to Gainwell in the end zone. So it's 20-9 Steelers with 10:57 left in the third.
Give credit to Ravens defense for standing tall in the red zone once again. Conversely, the Steelers' offense continues to struggle running the ball and finding another playmaker in the passing game sans Metcalf.
Rodgers gets a lot of time and hits Metcalf for 42 yards on the first play of the second half. The Steelers started the game with Rodgers hitting Metcalf for 55 yards.
Steelers already in the red zone.
Score: Steelers 17-9
First downs: Steelers 10-9
Total yards: Steelers, 179-129
Third down: Both teams 3-7
TOP: Ravens 16:11
Red zone: Steelers 2-3, Ravens 1-2
Henry: 34 yards on 11 carries
Steelers: 22 yards on nine carries
Rodgers: 13-20, 148 yards, 0 sacks
Jackson: 7-13, 64 yards, 1 INT, 1 sack
Metcalf: four catches on nine targets for 92 yards
Lamar Jackson finds room on the left side of the defense and takes advantage. It's 17-9 Steelers with 16 seconds left until halftime. That's Jackson's first TD run since Week 1. Baltimore misses the point after.
Baltimore is on the precipice of making it a once possession game after getting a bunch of chunk plays on this drive.
Alex Highsmith looks to be in some pain on the Steelers' sideline. Nick Herbig filling in for him.
A play after the penalty, Gainwell takes it in from six yards out as Steelers extend their lead to 17-3.
Pittsburgh turns Jackson's pick into seven points. Ravens have 6:05 to delve into the Steelers' lead before halftime.
Rodgers said that the Steelers just had their best practices of the season, and it's definitely showing today. Team looks much more engaged on both sides of the ball.
Adam Thielen makes his first catch as a Steeler, a four-yard grab on a second down play. Rodgers throws yet again on third and short (this one's a third-and-2) but Metcalf was unable to hold on.
A penalty on the Ravens, however, gives Pittsburgh a first-and-goal.
Pierre, who replaced Darius Slay in the starting lineup, makes an impressive pick of Jackson on third down deep in Ravens territory. That's the Ravens' sixth turnover in the last six quarters.
Pittsburgh extends its lead to 10-7 early in the second, but miss a chance to take a two possession lead.
Like Henry, the Steelers aren't using their featured back, Jaylen Warren. Pittsburgh instead gave Kenneth Gainwell three straight touches inside the 15-yard line while Warren stayed on the bench.
Rodgers hits Metcalf again for a big gain, this one a 28-yarder between two defenders. Steelers back in scoring range. Rodgers quickly got the ball off to avoid a possible Ravens challenge.
Steelers have a first and goal after a penalty on Baltimore's defense.
Steelers TE Darnell Washington getting helped off the field after catching a 13-yard pass on second-and-15. He's been a big part of Pittsburgh's offense this season as a catcher and blocker.
Neither team looked terribly impressive that quarter, especially on possession downs. The Steelers were 1-3 on third down, while Baltimore was 2-5. Both scores were set up by big completions: Jackson's 31-yard completion to Flowers and Rodgers' 55-yard bomb to Metcalf.
The big story so far is Derrick Henry being held to just 12 yards on five carries.
