Flacco Tears down Steel Curtain in ‘Steeler-Esque’ Win

Coming into week 9, there wasn't much that needed to be said. In a world full of overstated hyperbole, this matchup was simple, two franchises engaging in one of the most intense, heated rivalries in all of sports. The Steelers had been riding high, going 6-1 since the Ravens' 35-7 destruction of them on opening day, and coming off of a huge win against the oft-celebrated Patriots. The Ravens had a hiccup against the Jags on Monday night two weeks ago, and stumbled into a victory last week against the Cardinals, but were looking to take control of their own destiny with a series sweep of Pittsburgh.

The first half went about as expected. Many analysts prognosticated a Steeler blowout in repentance for the Ravens running up the score in week one, but the Ravens defense strongly disagreed. On Baltimore's first play from scrimmage, star RB Ray Rice took the ball 76 yards for a touchdown, only to be called back for holding. That play would set the tone on offense for the Ravens, despite being taken away. They marched the ball 75 yards in a drive spanning over 6:45, getting stalled at the 1 by the stanch Steeler D. A Billy Cundiff FG made it 3-0.

That trend would continue early, as Baltimore held Pittsburgh to a three-and-out, and spawned another 46 yard drive, this time capped by a missed Cundiff attempt. Nonetheless, Baltimore was controlling the clock and keeping the Steelers offense on the sidelines, a game plan that Pittsburgh themselves had been imploring in recent weeks. The Steelers capitalized on the excellent field position with a Shawn Suisham FG of their own, but not without penance, as staple receiver Hines Ward (who missed last week due to injury) got what looked to be a concussion on a Ray Lewis hit. The teams then traded field goals, with Baltimore striking last after a questionable 'helmet to helmet' call on Ryan Clark put them in range. At the half, the Ravens led the defensive battle 9-6.

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In the second half, both offenses got going a bit more. Steeler receivers Antonio Brown and underused Jericho Cotchery both made some big catches, and Brown went over 100 yards receiving for the second time this season. TE Heath Miller continued his breakout season, with 5 catches for 73 yards. But the offense stalled again after an INT by 'Steeler Killer' Terrell Suggs. That resulted in a Ray Rice rushing TD, in one of the few times that Rice found some daylight around the menacing Steelers front. With the score at 16-6, Roethlisberger answered with an 11 play, 95 yard drive through the air, resulting in a Mendenhall rushing TD, bringing the Burgh to within three.

Steelers all-pro LB James Harrison returned with a vengeance. After missing the last 4 games, he stepped back into the line-up without missing a beat. He recorded a season high 3 sacks including a sack-fumble on QB Joe Flacco that got the Steelers the ball back in the mid-4 th quarter. Steelers’ standout WR Mike Wallace then made his presence felt, catching a deep 25 yard strike to put the Steelers on top 20-16. But after trading the ball late, an ill-timed delay of game penalty prevented Pittsburgh from kicking a FG to make the lead 7. Even still, Flacco got the ball back with 2:17 remaining, needing to travel 92 yards for a TD in Pittsburgh. The scenario seemed all too perfect for Pittsburgh, where Flacco has played his worst games.

But this time Flacco answered, proving the doubters wrong. He marched that 92 yard drive, in a series that included a 3rd down conversion, a 4th down conversion, and two dropped balls (one in the end zone by a wide open Torrey Smith). Anquan Boldin came up big with FOUR huge catches on this drive, as Flacco stood confidently, making clutch throw after clutch throw, which culminated in a Torrey Smith redemption TD catch over the torrid William Gay with 8 seconds remaining. The game was over, and the unthinkable happened. The maligned Joe Flacco drove the length of the Steeler field, beating them with his arm, in a drive that was synonymous with the Steelers in recent years. The Steel Curtain looked helpless, and the Ravens had swept the season series for the first time since 2006, finally getting over the hump and taking command in the tight division. These titans will certainly clash again (likely in December), but for now, the Ravens are the ones flying high atop Hines Field.

By Jason Burke
Pro Football Fans Pittsburgh Steelers Correspondent