BALTIMORE — Throughout the NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have relied on a tried-and-true approach to secure victories: stopping the run, protecting the ball, and forcing their opponents into errors.
However, when the Steelers took on the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, they deviated from this successful formula, resulting in a disappointing 34-17 loss that hindered their chance to win the AFC North.
Instead of clinching their first division title since 2020, Pittsburgh (10-5) found itself tied for first place with the Ravens as they head into the final two games of the season.
The Ravens capitalized on their ground game, racking up a staggering 220 rushing yards, with Derrick Henry contributing 162 of those. Additionally, Baltimore seized two critical turnovers from Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, including a fumble during a 19-yard run and a pick-six from cornerback Marlon Humphrey, which extended the Ravens’ lead to 31-17 with just over 13 minutes remaining.
Reflecting on the game, Pittsburgh’s coach Mike Tomlin emphasized the team’s failure to adhere to their winning strategy. “We didn’t control the run game at all,” he stated. “When you can’t do that, you need to rely on significant splash plays or dominate the turnover battle, and we didn’t accomplish that.”
Prior to this matchup, the Steelers held a remarkable plus-18 turnover differential — among the best in the league. Although they intercepted Lamar Jackson early in the fourth quarter while trailing, Wilson’s unfortunate interception just two plays later sealed their fate.
Wilson expressed frustration about the missed opportunities, stating, “We had a chance late in the game. The interception just hurt us. Really, two negative plays.”
The first significant misstep occurred when Wilson broke free and seemed destined for a touchdown that would give Pittsburgh a 14-7 lead. As he headed towards the end zone, he was hit by Ravens safety Ar’Darius Washington, causing him to lose control of the ball, which was then recovered by Baltimore linebacker Kyle Van Noy. This turnover thwarted a promising drive for the Steelers and set the tone for the night.
“I thought I had an opportunity to get into the end zone,” Wilson recounted. “I tried to cut back but got hit, and right before I hit the ground, I lost the ball. It’s unacceptable.”
Another crucial moment came with Humphrey’s 37-yard interception return, which added to the Steelers’ woes. Wilson took responsibility for the loss, acknowledging, “There were two great opportunities there. I’m not afraid to go for it, but the interception was a tough blow.”
Despite the setback, Wilson remains optimistic about the future. Although the Steelers have lost to the Ravens for only the second time in their last ten matchups, they still have the chance to secure the division title by winning their next two games against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day and the Cincinnati Bengals in the season finale.
“We can’t dwell on what’s next; we’ve got to focus on the immediate game,” Wilson noted. “The matchup on Wednesday will be electrifying. After two away games, it’ll be great to play in front of our fans. We will keep our heads high and strive for better days ahead.”