The Baltimore Ravens dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers with a decisive 28-14 victory on Saturday night, securing their place in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The Wild Card matchup took place at M&T Bank Stadium, where Baltimore controlled the game from the very start and raced to a 21-0 lead by halftime.
Lamar Jackson showcased his MVP-caliber talent, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for 81 yards on 15 carries. He connected with Rashod Bateman for the opening score on their first drive, capping off a 95-yard march down the field.
"It was the perfect start for the Ravens, and they didn't look back," commented one analyst, reflecting the electric atmosphere at the stadium. With 11 seconds left before halftime, Jackson delivered another highlight play, evading defenders and sending a pass to Justice Hill, who scored easily to extend the Ravens' lead.
Derrick Henry also put on a show, rushing for 186 yards and two touchdowns, including a spectacular 44-yard run in the third quarter. Henry's ability to throw off tacklers, especially his vicious stiff-arm against Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, left fans breathless and highlighted the Ravens' formidable rushing attack.
Despite the Ravens' first-half dominance, the Steelers regrouped after halftime. Quarterback Russell Wilson led two scoring drives but was unable to bring his team back from the substantial deficit. Tomlin acknowledged the severity of his team's struggles, stating, "We just weren't good enough, to be quite honest with you," echoing the sentiments of many Steelers fans who have watched their team falter during pivotal moments.
Baltimore's defense was instrumental as well, holding Pittsburgh to just 59 total yards during the first half and maintaining pressure throughout. Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike made key plays, including sacking Wilson when the Steelers appeared to gain momentum.
Just when football fans thought they had seen it all, the game was temporarily paused due to the appearance of a drone near the stadium. Referee Alex Kemp announced the administrative timeout, highlighting the unusual yet necessary measures taken to keep gameplay safe. Under FAA regulations, any drone flying within three miles of large stadiums prompts immediate stoppage of play. This was not the first time such a situation occurred, as the local FBI office has previously warned fans to refrain from bringing drones to Ravens games.
After the game, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh celebrated the team's effective performance, noting the confidence they showed on both offense and defense. "It was one of our best games this season on the biggest stage," he said, casting optimism for their upcoming Divisional Round matchup.
The Ravens will face either the No. 4-seed Houston Texans or the No. 2-seed Buffalo Bills, depending on the outcome of the Bills-Broncos game, which is set to kick off on Sunday. Baltimore has already proven successful against both these teams this season, winning decisively against each.
On the other side, Mike Tomlin's Steelers find themselves confronted with difficult questions headingInto the offseason. Tomlin's comments post-game reflected the weight of the season-long struggles coupled with the heightened expectations of their storied franchise. Struggles on the offensive side have been particularly glaring, as the Steelers haven't managed to score over 20 points for several weeks.
Defensive back DeShon Elliott echoed the frustration after the game, stating, "We got to figure out what's the problem. We got to figure out how to finish strong to get past the point of just making it to the playoffs." With six consecutive playoff losses and growing concerns over their overall performance, multiple changes could be on the horizon for Pittsburgh.
Kirk Herbstreit added his perspective, questioning the effort displayed by the Steelers, particularly during the first half, where they appeared to lack competitive spirit. "You're getting dominated. I don't see any fight," he remarked, touching on the need for cultural change as the team headsInto the offseason.
Indeed, as Baltimore’s future looks bright following their playoff victory, the Steelers are left to assess how to rebuild and find their footing moving forward. The stark difference between the two teams could not be clearer after this Wild Card outing, with the Ravens soaring and the Steelers searching for answers.