Playing in a driving rain storm all afternoon, the Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive while snapping the Ravens ‘ game-winning streak.
After securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the AFC North title by defeating the Dolphins in Week 17, the Ravens (13-4) entered Saturday’s game against their division rival with no playoff ramifications for themselves.
Baltimore will finish the regular season 13-4 after a desperate Pittsburgh squad (10-7) held on for a 17-10 win at sloppy M&T Bank Stadium.
Baltimore sat NFL MVP favorite Lamar Jackson and six other starters: Wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, guard Kevin Zeitler, middle linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Kyle Hamilton, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey.
With the Ravens set for a Wild Card week bye and the Steelers needing help on Sunday, here’s an instant analysis of the loss.
Trenton Simpson
Trenton Simpson is all over the field today. 😤
📺: #PITvsBAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/WxnOXJY8R6 pic.twitter.com/SE3SX6nwNU— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
Drafted as an insurance policy for Patrick Queen, Simpson has improved weekly.
First career sack for Trenton Simpson❗❗
Tune in on ABC/ESPN! pic.twitter.com/1sh9pCoOHq
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 6, 2024
The rookie finished with 7 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a QB hit.
Nelson Agholor misses out on Bonus
Jadeveon Clowney snagged his $750K bonus, but weather prevented Agholor from having the day he preferred.
Nelson Agholor had 39 receiving yards tonight, 19 short of what he needed to trigger a $250,000 incentive. https://t.co/zdd3ZhFnTJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2024
Steelers now wait for help
After defeating Baltimore, Pittsburgh needs the Miami Dolphins to defeat the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans to upset the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
With the win today, the Steelers get in the playoffs if:
Texans and Colts tie OR
Jaguars lose to Titans OR
Bills lose to Dolphins— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) January 7, 2024
Pittsburgh has quietly dominated Baltimore
The Ravens are the AFC North Champions and overall No. 1 seed, but they don’t want the Steelers to sneak in the postseason and potentially win a game.
#Steelers have beaten the #Ravens 7 of their last 8 meetings – six of those came without Ben. Just leaving that there.
— Neal Coolong (@NealCoolong) January 7, 2024
Najee the workhorse
Najee Harris totaled 112 rushing yards and a TD on 26 carries (+14 RYOE) against the Ravens, his third straight game of positive RYOE.
Harris saw most of his production come on inside runs, recording 100 yards and a TD on 19 such carries.#PITvsBAL | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/DkRPpQxqoh
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 7, 2024
Harris went 15 games without a 100-yard rushing performance, but he’s now logged two in back-to-back weeks.
After 122 last week, Harris logged 112 rushing yards and a TD on 26 carries (+14 RYOE) against the Ravens, his third straight game of positive RYOE.
Can't bring @ohthatsNajee22 down 😅
📺: #PITvsBAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/WxnOXJY8R6 pic.twitter.com/dr5pMwYN9Q— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
Tyler Huntley
Snoop finished the wet afternoon, 15-28 passing, for 146 yards and one touchdown. Doing his best Lamar Jackson impersonation, Huntley also had 8 carries for 40 yards.
Mason Rudolph
In his third start, Rudolph completed 18 of 20 attempts for 152 yards with a touchdown.
The biggest play for Rudolph was the pin-point pass to Johnson on third down to get the 71-yard touchdown.
