The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens renewed their rivalry in Week 8 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD. This was a colossal battle between the 6-0 Steelers and 5-1 Ravens. What was on the line? Plenty.
If the Steelers were to remain perfect, it would put the Ravens in a two game hole in the AFC North rankings, but if the Ravens could pull out a win coming off their bye week it would mean they would overtake the Steelers for the top team in the division.
Needless to say, this was a huge game between bitter rivals.
The Steelers won the opening coin toss, but chose to defer their possession to the start of the second half. Instead, their elite defense would get the first shot at Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore offense.
The Ravens’ opening possession was forgettable for the home team when on a 3rd and 6 play Jackson’s pass was intercepted by Robert Spillane and returned for the touchdown.
STEELERS DEFENSE WASTES NO TIME
— PFF (@PFF) November 1, 2020
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Chris Boswell’s point after was good, giving the Steelers a 7-0 lead with 14:06 left in the opening quarter.
It looked as if the Steelers had stopped Jackson and the Baltimore offense on their next drive, but a late hit penalty on third down by Minkah Fitzpatrick extended the Baltimore drive. It was just the boost the Ravens needed as Jackson would connect with Willie Snead, and then Myles Boykin in the end zone. The Justin Tucker extra point tied the game 7-7 with 8:44 left in the first quarter.
Ben Roethlisberger and company took the field for the first time, and after a defensive pass interference call gave the Steelers a new set of downs a slant to Chase Claypool resulted in a fumble which was recovered by the Ravens. A J.K. Dobbins run moved the Ravens into the red zone, but on third down when Jackson looked to throw Bud Dupree was able to knock the ball out of his hands. The loose ball was recovered by the Steelers, giving the Steelers their second takeaway of the game.
The Steelers were only able to muster one first down before Jordan Berry was called on for his first duty of the day. However, his first punt of the day was uninspiring, giving the Ravens great field position, again. The Ravens weren’t able to add to their point total, and were set to punt at the end of the first quarter.