BALTIMORE — In a game that saw both teams trading punts most of the afternoon, big plays and a stingy defense gave the Baltimore Ravens the edge over the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, 21-14.
Baltimore’s lone offensive score came in the first quarter. Quarterback Joe Flacco was able to find wide receiver Mike Wallace, and Wallace used his breakaway speed to score a 95-yard touchdown.
The 95-yard score was the Ravens’ longest play from the line of scrimmage in franchise history, and the reception matched Mike Wallace’s career long, which he originally set in the 2011 season as a member of the Steelers.
The Ravens would score another touchdown off of a Javorius Allen block of Steelers punter Jordan Berry’s kick. The punt was recovered by Chris Moore and followed by a successful two-point conversion.
The Steelers were being shut out until a 23-yard fourth-quarter touchdown reception by wide receiver Antonio Brown. Brown’s grab capped a nine-play drive that covered 75 yards — more than the Steelers had managed to gain in the first three quarters total (69 yards).
Flacco, who briefly left in the third quarter after an awkward slide on a 14-yard scramble broke his knee brace, finished with 21 completions on 42 attempts for 245 yards. Flacco also recorded one interception and a touchdown.
Ben Roethlisberger, who’d been nursing his own injured knee and was a game-day decision, finished 23 of 45 for 264 yards.
Running back Terrance West led all Ravens’ backs in rushing with just 21 yards on 15 attempts. The Steelers also struggled to establish a run game, with Le’Veon Bell managing just 32 yards on 14 carries.
Wallace led all receivers in the game with 124 yards on 4 catches. Brown led the Steelers in receptions and yards with seven catches for 85 yards. Wide receiver Eli Rogers led the Steelers with 103 receiving yards.
• Tommy Chalk can be reached at tchalk@washingtontimes.com.
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