BALTIMORE (93.7 The Fan) – Three weeks later, it was the Steelers dominating the line of scrimmage. It was also the Steelers coming out with a road win, 16-13 at Baltimore.
"We knew that if we controlled the line we would win the game," said Steelers tailback Najee Harris. "With this rivalry, that's what it's going to be like. When we control the line of scrimmage we win the game. That's what Mike Tomlin challenged the offense and challenged me was to get downhill and run on them."
Harris rushed for 111 yards on 22 carries, his first 100-yard game of the season.
"Najee wants it," said Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. "He wants to be the focal point. He likes the tough circumstances.
It's good to have young people that are running to it instead of from it. We got some young people that run to the action. That's a good thing."
"I think the offensive line," said Steelers QB Kenny Pickett. "Those guys, the surge off the ball was great. Najee and Jaylon were setting the blocks. We hit some jets getting them running horizontally and then the backs could put their foot in the ground and get vertical. I think Coach Canada called a great game and had us doing different things. Kept them on their toes a little bit."
"Them guys have been on the upswing all year," Tomlin said of the O-line. "As a matter of fact, you guys have stopped asking me about them in a negative light. That's probably a good thing."
Run Stop
It wasn't just about winning the line of scrimmage on offense, but they did also on defense. Terrell Edmunds said they were motivated by giving up 215 on the ground in the previous matchup and said they got on their details and locked in after giving up 88 yards rushing in the first half.
"I thought we got ahold of ourselves at the half and had those frank conversations and had the type of focus that was needed to finish the game out," Tomlin said. "Whoop blocks, make tackles.
We had to through a little bit more schematics and we did."
"How about young guys like Leal and Mark Robinson stepping up? The reason we played them, even though they lack experience. The type of game we were in lended itself to their approach to ball. They are combative, confrontational young people. It was needed."
For the second straight week Robert Spillane was the leading tackler, Tomlin said they expect that from Spillane. He believes he's on the rise and has been that way since his first day with the team. Spillane had nine tackles, as did safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who ended the game with an interception. Robinson had seven tackles in his best game as a professional, Edmunds with six. TJ Watt had a sack and another tackle for loss.
Injuries
No updates to any of the injuries-CB James Pierre left the game with a concussion and LB Myles Jack left the game with a groin injury he's been dealing with for over a month.
Notes
· Kenny Pickett finished 15 of 27 for 168 yards and the game-winning touchdown
· Six different Steelers receivers had multiple catch nights
· Steelers held the Ravens to 5-12 on third down and converted 10-16
· Steelers owned the time of possession advantage by nearly nine minutes
Silence for Franco
Right before the National Anthem, the Ravens posted a picture of Franco Harris on the in-stadium scoreboard and held a moment of silence. Saying they wanted to honor a NFL legend. No cat calls, no booing, just silence in a show of respect by the Ravens organization and fans.
Inactives
QB-Mason Rudolph
DB-Tre Norwood
LB-Malik Reed
G-Kendrick Green
LB-Tae Crowder (signed last week)
