Steelers vs. Ravens, Week 17: 1st quarter in-game update

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens squared off in Week 17 at M&T Bank Stadium under a steady rain, and plenty on the line for the visiting team. The two AFC North rivals couldn’t have found themselves in different situations in the regular season finale. The Ravens had already locked up the top seed and home field advantage in the AFC Playoffs, while the Steelers’ playoff hopes were hanging by a thread.

The Steelers needed to beat the Ravens, and get some help by way of the Houston Texans beating the Tennessee Titans. With both games being played at the same time, there would be plenty of scoreboard watching going on throughout the contest.

Baltimore started with the football and did nothing but run the ball with Robert Griffin III and Gus Edwards as they moved the ball quickly into the red-zone. On a 3rd and 8 play, and their first pass attempt of the drive, Mike Hilton blitzed off the edge and sacked Griffen. What resulted was a Justin Tucker field goal to give the Ravens an early 3-0 lead.

The Steelers gained one yard on their opening drive before sending Jordan Berry on for his first action of the game. When Griffen and company got the ball again, it was more of the same. Gus Edwards running the ball with authority as Baltimore got the ball into the red-zone. But, again, the Ravens failed to punch the ball into the endzone, settling for Justin Tucker’s second field goal of the day.

The first quarter would come to a close with the Steelers entering Baltimore territory for the first time of the game.