The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium Sunday afternoon in a must-win for the black and gold. The Steelers fell behind 3-0 before the offense touched the ball and on the first series, disaster struck for Pittsburgh. A blitz up the middle by the Ravens on third down resulted in a missed block by Kevin Dotson and a sack of Kenny Pickett. Pickett initially escaped the first blitzer, but as he rolled away towards the sideline, Roquan Smith appeared to grab his facemask and spike Pickett to the ground slamming his head off the turf. The play was not penalized.
In quick story form: Kenny Pickett (concussion) is out the rest of the game, Mitch Trubisky takes over. https://t.co/vVqh1LesYC
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 11, 2022
Pickett seemed to clear concussion protocol and returned to the field for the second series, but after the Steelers were ineffective again, the drive ended in a dreadful 17-yard punt, and the rookie was sidelined for the game. He didn't appear to take another hit during the second drive and it is curious if they misdiagnosed Pickett after the first drive. Brooke Pryor from ESPN reported he was out for the game and you can clearly see Smith's hand on the rookie's face mask.
Smith’s hit where he firmly had a hold of Pickett’s face mask and violent spike to the turf was not called roughing the passer or a facemask. The penalty would have given the Steelers a first down, but the NFL has called much less this year and it was devastating for Pittsburgh. Losing the rookie quarterback who had played four weeks of turnover free football was crucial to Pittsburgh's hopes on Sunday.
Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
Mitch Trubisky entered the game and immediately led a touchdown drive that was highlighted by a beautiful 42-yard bomb to George Pickens. On the very next play, he went back to the rookie who drew a pass interference call in the end zone. One play later, Najee Harris scored a touchdown to close the gap to 10-7. Trubisky then led the Steelers right back down the field, but threw the first of two interceptions deep in Baltimore territory that the Steelers desperately needed to convert into scores.
In the second half, the turnover binge continued. After starting a drive just outside the Pittsburgh 10-yard line, Trubisky lined up for a completely telegraphed shot play to Diontae Johnson. Trubisky promptly threw into double coverage and squandered another scoring opportunity on what game analyst Trent Green called as a designed shot play. Pickens appeared to be covered one on one on the interception, but Canada obviously has an aversion to using the rookie.
After Calais Campbell blocked a Chris Boswell field goal attempt, the Steelers defense allowed an undrafted rookie free agent quarterback to hand the ball off repeatedly as the Ravens drove for a game deciding field goal and take the lead 16-7 with just over five minutes left in the game. The Steelers moved to the Ravens 10-yard line with 2:39 remaining in the game for a last gasp opportunity inside the red zone.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Another red zone opportunity was promptly thrown to Johnson in the end zone despite the 6 foot 3 Pickens having one on one coverage again. The play resulted in offsetting penalties and the Steelers had another chance from the 10. Pat Freiermuth was targeted and scored on the next play, and it set up a final opportunity for the defense to stop Anthony Brown and the Ravens running attack. On third and three, with 2:14 left, the defense allowed a first down and the game was over.
The Ravens knocked out Kenny Pickett on an uncalled cheap shot, but Pittsburgh still had a chance to win. The Steelers had multiple opportunities to score and win the game and continue a march towards a potential playoff berth. Trubisky, Canada and a poor performance against a second and third string quarterback by the defense cost the Steelers the game and any chance at the playoffs.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Without Pickett, did Canada outsmart himself and put Trubisky in a bad position against the Ravens? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
