Ravens 27,
Steelers 21
BALTIMORE - The Pittsburgh Steelers were not interested in gaining the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs, nor did they care about generating momentum for the postseason.
Their primary objective against the Baltimore Ravens was merely to keep several key starters healthy, a goal that was assured before the opening kickoff of Pittsburgh's loss.
Musa Smith ran for 83 yards and a touchdown in his first NFL start, helping the Ravens earn their first victory since Oct. 14 and end a nine-game losing streak.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Steelers had already clinched the AFC North title and were locked into a wild-card game at home next weekend. They could have earned the third seed by defeating Baltimore, coupled with a loss by San Diego, but Pittsburgh downplayed that scenario.
Pittsburgh 0701421Baltimore 10107027
Bal-M.Smith 2 run (Stover kick)
Bal-FG Stover 28
Bal-Ross 32 run (Stover kick)
Pit-Davenport 1 run (Reed kick)
Bal-FG Stover 31
ADVERTISEMENT
Bal-Darling 15 pass from T.Smith (Stover kick)
Pit-Holmes 59 pass from Batch (Reed kick)
Pit-Wilson 7 pass from Batch (Reed kick) PitBal First downs 1421Total Net Yards 264334Rushes-yards 19-4640-180Passing 218154Punt Returns 2-61-(-3)Kickoff Returns 6-1271-0Interceptions Ret. 0-02-21Comp-Att-Int 16-31-216-27-0Sacked-Yards Lost 0-02-17Punts 4-37.24-47.0Fumbles-Lost 1-14-1Penalties-Yards 6-406-86Time of Possession 23:1836:42INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING-Pittsburgh, Davenport 12-27, Russell 6-20, Batch 1-(minus 1). Baltimore, M.Smith 22-83, Ross 12-72, T.Smith 5-23, McClain 1-2.
PASSING-Pittsburgh, Batch 16-31-2-218. Baltimore, T.Smith 16-27-0-171.
RECEIVING-Pittsburgh, Washington 5-68, Holmes 4-98, Miller 3-20, Davis 2-13, Haynes 1-12, Wilson 1-7. Baltimore, Mason 6-72, Darling 3-49, M.Smith 3-8, Clayton 2-26, Green 1-10, McClain 1-6.
