The Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens game lived up to the hype between the two AFC North rivals on Sunday.
The Steelers held on for a 28-24 victory as the defense made two crucial stops in the final two minutes of the game to keep Pittsburgh undefeated at 7-0 and give them a two-game lead over Baltimore in the division.
The 7-0 start ties the 1978 Steelers with the best start in franchise history. That team went on to win the Super Bowl.
With five seconds remaining, Lamar Jackson took a shot at Willie Snead IV in the end zone but the pass was broken up by defensive backs Minkah Fitzpatrick and Justin Layne.
Just minutes earlier, the Ravens also had another chance to take the lead with a fourth-and-3 on the Steelers’ 8-yard line. Jackson attempted to gain the first down on his feet but was stuffed by Isaiah Buggs and Fitzpatrick, with Fitzpatrick forcing a fumble and the Steelers recovering.
Fitzpatrick was ecstatic after the game, blowing kisses to the Baltimore fans.
In fact, Pittsburgh’s defense forced three turnovers against Jackson, who struggled and for the first time ever in his career, lost a game in which the Ravens led at halftime. Jackson was 23-0 with a halftime lead entering the game and is now 23-1.
On the third play of the game, Robert Spillane intercepted the reigning league MVP and returned it for a 33-yard touchdown to give the Steelers an early 7-0 lead.
With Pittsburgh trailing 17-7 in the third quarter, Alex Highsmith intercepted Jackson deep in Ravens territory on their own 21-yard line to set up a touchdown pass two plays later to tight end Eric Ebron.
The Ravens and Steelers exchanged two more scores before Pittsburgh went up for good when Ben Roethlisberger connected with rookie Chase Claypool for an 8-yard touchdown with 7:32 remaining in the game.
The turnovers proved to be the difference in the game, though. The Ravens outgained the Steelers 457 to 221 yards. They also outrushed the Steelers 265-48.
It was the first time since at least 1950 a team that outrushed its opponent by at least 200 yards and outpassed their opponent lost the game.
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