Steelers vs. Ravens, Week 12: 1st quarter in-game update

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens finally matched up head-to-head in Week 12 after three delays of a game scheduled for Thanksgiving night in prime time. Despite the game being on a Wednesday and at 3:40 p.m. ET, the two AFC North rivals kicked off at Heinz Field.

The Steelers were winners of the opening coin toss, and elected to defer their possession to the second half, giving Robert Griffin III and the offense the ball to start the game. After the Pittsburgh defense forced a three and out, Ben Roethlisberger and the offense weren’t any more successful as they answered with a three and out of their own.

Griffin’s second possession didn’t last long as he fumbled the exchange with Gus Edwards and Vince Williams jumped on the ball giving the Steelers new life already in field goal range. Consecutive runs by Benny Snell Jr. got the Steelers in a first and goal situation, but after Eric Ebron was stopped at the one yard line on third down, Mike Tomlin had a decision to make.

Tomlin elected to go for it, but the play was diagnosed well by Baltimore and Roethlisberger was intercepted in the end zone.

Starting with the ball on their own 5 yard line, Griffin’s miscues continued when a third down pass was intercepted by Joe Haden and taken to the house for a pick-six.

The extra point by Chris Boswell was pushed wide right, making the score 6-0.

Another three and out by the Ravens looked to allow the Steelers to dominate the game, but Sam Koch’s punt was muffed by Ray-Ray McCloud, and recovered by Baltimore at the Steelers’ 15 yard line. It didn’t take long for the Ravens to cash in, and it was Gus Edwards plunging in from one yard out to give the Ravens a 7-6 lead with 2:07 left in the first quarter.

The Steelers had the ball, and were driving, to end the first quarter.