ExtremeRavens Posted 19 hours ago Posted 19 hours ago The past met the present Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium, where the Ravens’ inaugural Super Bowl championship team celebrated its 25th anniversary. More than 50 members were on hand, from Trent Dilfer to Ray Lewis, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker had an enthusiastic parting message for the current team before departing the halftime festivities. “Baltimore! Baltimore!” he bellowed. “Time to go to work, baby!” Instead, the Ravens were left looking for answers again, this time from the officials. Trailing 27-22 with just over three minutes remaining, Lamar Jackson drove the Ravens to the Pittsburgh 13-yard line before connecting with Isaiah Likely over the middle for what appeared to be his second touchdown of the game. But the call was overturned by replay, with Likely ruled as not having completed the catch as the ball was ripped out of his hands, despite having taken at least one step with control. Ravens coach John Harbaugh, the crowd and Baltimore’s sideline disagreed vehemently. Baltimore then failed to convert on fourth-and-5, and Jackson was sacked on the Steelers’ 39 on its next series on the final play as the clock struck zero. Pittsburgh (7-6) hung on for the victory and moved into first place in the AFC North, a game ahead of Baltimore (6-7) with just four games remaining in the regular season. It was a surreal setting and finish in many ways. The game marked the first time since 1999 the two had met in December with neither above .500. Still, first place in the AFC North was on the line for the longtime and bitter rivals, and someone had to claim it. That it was close was also not a surprise — 28 of the past 38 games between these two had been decided by a single score, and this would be no different. There was plenty of drama and controversy to go with it. With just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (23-for-34 passing, 284 yards, one touchdown) dropped back to pass from his own 41, the ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage and appeared to be intercepted by linebacker Teddye Buchanan. But replay overturned that call, with Rodgers ruled down after he initially caught his own pass. It resulted in a 9-yard loss and Pittsburgh punted two plays later, but instead of the Ravens having the ball at the Steelers’ 33-yard line, the crowd in full throat and a chance to surge ahead, they were denied. Ravens coach John Harbaugh shouted, “That’s wrong! That’s wrong!” at the referees. But it was to no avail. Ravens vs. Steelers, December 7, 2025 | PHOTOS Baltimore had plenty of other things to be frustrated with. The Steelers and Rodgers hadn’t completed a pass of more than 20 yards through the air in over a month. It took all of one play for that streak to end. On the game’s first play, the 42-year-old went 52 yards up the right sideline to Metcalf over Marlon Humphrey. Then Rodgers scored his first rushing touchdown since Jan. 1, 2023, on a run around the right end to cap the scoring drive for a 7-3 lead. It was a precursor of things to come. After Baltimore’s defense stopped Pittsburgh on a third-and-1 from the 13 in the second quarter to limit the damage to a field goal, Travis Jones was flagged for a questionable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for running over the center. Harbaugh was livid over the call and had a case, but the first down led to an easy 6-yard Kenneth Gainwell touchdown as he pranced through the left side of the defense unbothered. That four-point swing put the Steelers up 17-3 with the Ravens looking discombobulated in every phase of the game. They did get some help, though. Their best offense of the first half turned out to be the yellow flag. Pittsburgh’s kickoff came up short of the landing zone, resulting in a penalty and the ball at Baltimore’s 40 to start its next possession. Two more penalties on third down then helped extend the drive, and the Ravens marched 60 yards in 13 plays with Jackson (seven carries, 43 rushing yards, one touchdown) scoring his first rushing touchdown since Week 1 on a 6-yard scramble on third and goal. Then Loop missed the extra point. Things weren’t any better in the second half and in some ways mirrored the first. Loop’s kickoff to start the third quarter went out of bounds. On the first play from scrimmage, Rodgers had all day to throw, allowing Metcalf to get open and haul in a 41-yard catch. That helped set up another Chris Boswell field goal to extend the lead to 20-9. Despite the two-score deficit, the Ravens stuck with their running game. It finally paid dividends. After two straight runs set up a third-and-1, Keaton Mitchell popped loose through left side and raced 55 yards before being surprisingly caught by defensive back James Pierre at the 7-yard line. But just when it appeared another red zone opportunity might go by the wayside on third-and-goal from the 4, Jackson (19 of 35, 219 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception) broke toward the end zone, sucking the Steelers’ defense in, only to find a wide open Likely for a touchdown. Rather than go for a 2-point conversion to pull within a field goal, Baltimore opted for an extra point, and this time Loop connected to cut the deficit to 20-16. The score energized the crowd. But the celebration was short-lived. Rodgers again capitalized on another one-on-one matchup on the outside, connecting with Calvin Austin III, who got behind Chidobe Awuzie, for a 31-yard gain on third-and-5 from his own 25. Three plays later and again on third down, he then dumped a short pass off to an open Jaylen Warren, who raced 38 yards down the sideline for the score to put Pittsburgh up 27-16 with 3:38 left in the third quarter in what ended up being the decisive score. This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Ravens tight end Isiaiah Likely can't hang on to what would've been a go-ahead touchdown catch in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Steelers. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.