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

That Sunday night game had playoff implications written all over it. The Pittsburgh Steelers needed to win to stay alive for a wild card, while the Baltimore Ravens, already possessing a playoff berth, still have a shot at winning the AFC North.

It was the blacks and golds who emerged victorious to save their season.

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

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Not much of an offense came out of it, as the Ravens in particular struggled to score points with Lamar Jackson still on the sidelines. The Steelers have also been 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 that game proved to be a thriller as the Steelers got the ball on their own 20-yard line with four runs with a chance to take the lead late in the fourth.

And Pickett was delivering strikes on that drive, finding Pat Freiermuth from 20 yards out to get into midfield after picking up a first down. Then Pickett threw a seeded Steven Sims in midfield from 28 yards to make things very interesting in Ravens territory.

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After digging under the offensive line for another first down on a stealthy quarterback, Pickett would eventually rush to his left a few plays later and shoot a run off running back Najee Harris to take the lead, 16-13 , with just under a minute. remains to be played.

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.
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

With Justin Tucker on the sidelines, the Ravens and quarterback Tyler Huntley realized they didn’t need to go far into Steelers territory to go for a game-tying field goal and send him into overtime. Tucker’s leg has already hit beyond 60 yards.

But Huntley was not careful with the ball. At 2nd and 10th from Baltimore’s 38-yard line, he decided to throw a deep one aimed at Demarcus Robinson. Instead, he found the hands of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who iced Pittsburgh’s victory.

While the Ravens are hoping 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 the Cleveland.

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 there’s definitely a chance for Mike Tomlin’s band to come in.

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The game started with long, methodical drives from both teams, but they each ended in goals on the pitch. The Steelers’ practice lasted 15 plays for 73 yards and killed 7:59 clock, while the Ravens went for 61 yards on 15 plays in 7:52 time, draining the first quarter without anyone taking the above.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Kenny Pickett #8 throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on January 1, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

It wasn’t until a missed field goal from Chris Boswell sparked a Ravens drive that rushed 62 yards for a touchdown to rookie tight end Isaiah Likely on seven yards to give Baltimore the lead.

The second half saw more field goals, including Tucker hitting one from 51 yards out. Solid defensive play from both sides kept him extremely close.

In the end, Pickett finished with 168 yards on 15 of 27 through the air, while Harris set the pace in 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 was 14 of 21 for 130 yards with his passing touchdown and interception.