Kenny Pickett leads Steelers to late rally to defeat rival Ravens, playoff hopes intact

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This Sunday night matchup had playoff implications written all over it. The Pittsburgh Steelers needed to win to stay alive for a wild card, while the Baltimore Ravens, who already have a playoff berth, still have a chance to win the AFC North.

It was the blacks and golds that triumphed to save their season.

The Steelers defeated their division rival, 16-13, thanks to a late touchdown run by running back Najee Harris off of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett.

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Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers jumps over a defender against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Patricio Smith/Getty Images)

There wasn’t much offense to come out of this, as the Ravens especially have been struggling to put points on the board with Lamar Jackson still sidelined. The Steelers have also been going through different quarterbacks all season, and this time it was first-round rookie Pickett who got the nod to play under center.

However, the end of this game turned out to be exciting as the Steelers got the ball at their own 20-yard line four points down with a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter.

And Pickett was throwing strikes on this drive, finding Pat Freiermuth for 20 yards to get to midfield after getting a first down. Pickett then threw a seed to Steven Sims up the middle for 28 yards to make things very interesting in Ravens territory.

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After getting under the offensive line for another first down on a sneaky play by the quarterback, Pickett would eventually come out to his left a few plays later and fire a point off running back Najee Harris to take the lead, 16-13, in just under a minute. stopped playing.

It was Pittsburgh’s first touchdown of the game, but it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time with their season on the line.

Isaiah Likely #80 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates a seven-yard touchdown reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Isaiah Likely #80 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates a seven-yard touchdown reception against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Patricio Smith/Getty Images)

With Justin Tucker sidelined, the Ravens and quarterback Tyler Huntley understood they didn’t have to go far into Steelers territory to attempt a game-tying field goal and send it into overtime. Tucker’s leg has struck from more than 60 yards before.

But Huntley wasn’t careful with the ball. On 2 and 10 from the Baltimore 38-yard line, he decided to throw a deep one intended for Demarcus Robinson. Instead, he found the hands of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who put Pittsburgh on ice.

While the Ravens hope the Cincinnati Bengals lose to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, snapping their seven-game winning streak to keep their division title hopes alive, the Steelers can still enter next week if they beat Cleveland. browns.

If that happens, Pittsburgh still needs help from the New York Jets, who must beat the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots lose to the Bills. So, yeah, we’re saying that there’s definitely a chance that Mike Tomlin’s group could get in.

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The game began with long, methodical drives by both teams, but both ended in converted field goals. The Steelers’ drive went 15 plays for 73 yards and killed with 7:59 on the clock, while the Ravens went 61 yards in 15 plays in 7:52 of time, ending the first quarter with no one taking the lead.

Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Patricio Smith/Getty Images)

It wasn’t until a missed Chris Boswell field goal sparked a 62-yard Ravens drive for a touchdown run to rookie tight end Isaiah Likely by seven yards to give Baltimore the lead.

The second half saw more field goals, most notably Tucker scoring one from 51 yards out. Solid defensive play from both sides kept it extremely close.

Ultimately, Pickett finished with 168 yards on 15-of-27 passing, while Harris led the running game with 111 yards on 22 carries. Jaylen Warren also contributed 76 yards on 12 touches.

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For the Ravens, Mark Andrews had 100 yards on nine receptions, while JK Dobbins finished with 93 rushing yards on 17 carries. Huntley completed 14 of 21 passes for 130 yards with his touchdown pass and interception.

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