By: Jared Villani @JVillain10
SteelerNation.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers faced off against a COVID-19 ridden Baltimore Ravens team without reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and their two top running backs in J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram. Ravens backup quarterback Robert Griffin III didn't get a warm welcome in this contest as Joe Haden made it look easy with a pick-six to get the Steelers off to an early lead. Unfortunately Chris Boswell's missed extra point attempt only made it a 6 to 0 lead.
Too easy for @joehaden23 ????
???? NBC ????https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/WFsFsMKVSX— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 2, 2020
The Ravens did find a bit of luck after a muffed punt by Ray-Ray McCloud which ultimately set Baltimore up well-within the red-zone. It didn't take long for running back Gus Edwards to find the end-zone and give the Ravens their first points of the game, taking a 7 to 6 lead over the Steelers.
Despite lackluster offense from both teams, the Steelers were able to ride it out with Boswell for the rest of the first half as he converted two field goals (25, 27) to increase Pittsburgh's lead by five points, now 12 to 7.
Ben Roethlisberger proved that Father Time isn't always undefeated as he has displayed fantastic poise and leadership in addition to making great decisions with his abundance of weapons at his disposal. During a 12-play drive, Big Ben was able to connect with four different pass-catchers and finishing the drive off with his most reliable option in JuJu Smith-Schuster for a one-yard touchdown. Pittsburgh leads 19 to 7 after their lone offensive touchdown with things coming down to the wire in the fourth quarter.
???? NBC ????https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/LsmMpPRxuX— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 2, 2020
The Ravens turned to Trace McSorley in hopes to add some spark to their offense and that he did almost instantly as he found Marquise Brown for a massive 70-yard touchdown to put the Ravens back within five points. The Ravens' refusal to give up decreased Pittsburgh's lead 19 to 14.
Perhaps the most significant play of the game from the Steelers offense occurred on a 3rd down play in which Big Ben threw his only questionable pass of the game, but found receiver James Washington in triple coverage with a pass that seemed to have infinite hang time. Washington simply wanted this one more than all three Ravens defenders combined. The Steelers were able to hang on thanks to Washington's big play to solidify their 11th straight win and getting yet another win against their biggest AFC North rival.
HUGE third down conversion!@JamesWashington | ???? NBC ????https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/lGXfaYxJBs
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 2, 2020
Pittsburgh Stat Leaders
Ben Roethlisberger 266 Passing Yards One Touchdown
Benny Snell 16 Rushes 60 Yards
Eric Ebron 7 Receptions 54 Yards
T.J. Watt 7 Tackles 2 Sacks
