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In this new series, BTSC will take a look at the possible outcome of each of the 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers opponents and analyze not just the potential outcome, but how the game plays out. We will travel week-by-week through the schedule, and we continue Week 4 when the Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens.
Back and Forth in the 'Burgh
Pittsburgh, PA
The black-and-blue rivalry for AFC North supremacy continued In a Prime Time showdown last night at Heinz Field. Regulation time was not adequate enough time to decide the battle as the home team finally prevailed in the end by the tally of 37-31.
Since the Mike Tomlin era commenced in Pittsburgh, the two teams, overall, have squared off 19 times, going into this game. The Steelers held a mere, one-game advantage over the Ravens at 10-9. Over those games, the total scores were even closer. The Steelers scored only 8 points more than their rivals from 246 miles away. This matchup held up to the high standard of games we come to expect from each other's arch-enemy.
With Martavis Bryant still off the grid, as he served the final game of his four-game suspension for marijuana use, Sammie Coates saw his first meaningful action of the young season. In the first quarter, Coates caught a 22-yard laser from Ben Roethlisberger. It was Coates first touchdown as a professional. The Steelers led 7-0.
Joe Flacco and his crew wasted no time by hitting Steve Smith on a 53-yard hook-up on the ensuing drive. Two plays later, Justin Forsett plunged to pay dirt to tie the score at 7-7.
Justin Tucker broke the deadlock with a 52-yard field goal to close out the first quarter at 10-7.
In the second quarter, Running Back Justin Forsett took a Flacco handoff 10 yards into the end zone. Not missing a chance to show-up his rivals, Coach John Harbaugh chose to forgo the extra point and went for the two-point conversion. Flacco found his rookie tight end, Maxx Williams, to run the Raven's lead to 18-7.
Right before the first half concluded, LeVeon Bell ripped off 26 of his season-high 118 yards on the afternoon on a jaunt into the end zone.
At intermission, the Ravens led the Steelers 18-14.
On their second possession of the third quarter, Justin Tucker hit a 38-yard field goal to up the score to 21-14.
Steeler kicker Garrett Hartley added one of his own on the ensuing drive from 25-yards away. The score was 21-17.
Late in the third quarter, Shamarko Thomas' jarring sack of Flacco on a safety blitz knocked the ball to the turf allowing Jarvis Jones to recover the ball on the Baltimore 28. Five plays later, Deangelo Williams took a handoff on a sweep to the right, 8 yards for a Steeler touchdown. The Men of Steel retook the lead to make this score 24-21.
The back-and-forth battle continued when Steve Smith Sr. gave the Ravens a 28-24 advantage early in the fourth quarter. The veteran receiver hauled in a Flacco offering for a 24 yard score.
Antonio Brown, never to be outdone, pulled in a 5-yard Roethlisberger slant at the 50 and blazed a trail into the end zone. The 55-yard, Roethlisberger-Brown duet made the score 31-28 with 2:08 to play.
That left more than enough time for Joe Flacco to lead his team down the field in the final minutes. With no time left, Tucker hit a 45-yarder through the uprights as the two teams went into overtime.
After winning the coin toss, Roethlisberger, on the second play of extra time, launched a perfect strike to Brown over the outstretched arms of Ladarius Webb. The play covered 78 yards and the Steelers emerged victorious by the tune of 37-31. On the night, Roethlisberger had three scoring passes and 343 yards in the air. He did, however, throw one interception in the game.
"It was back and forth all game, but I put my trust in "AB" to get by his man and he really came through in the clutch", said a jubilant Roethlisberger after the game.
"Obviously when these two teams play, you're going to have a fight", said Coach Mike Tomlin after the game.
Be sure to check back tomorrow, and every day leading up to the start of the 2015 regular season, for the latest edition of 16 picks in 16 days.