Ravens Fall to Steelers in Rainy Season Finale
The Baltimore Ravens fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday by a final of 17-10. In a sloppy rainy mess and not playing many starters on both offense and defense, the Ravens couldn’t overcome the deficit and will finish the regular season with an NFL best record 13-4.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley played in place of a resting Lamar Jackson and struggled to get much of anything going for the Ravens offensively. It took until late in the first half for the Ravens to get any points as Huntley would find tight end Isaiah Likely for the 27-yard score. Huntley would finish his first start of the season going 15-for-28 for 146 yards and the one touchdown, while adding eight carries for 40 yards.
The Steelers were fighting for their playoff lives on Saturday as they played everyone that was healthy, needing a win as well as some help to make the playoffs. Running back Najee Harris had a season high 112 yards on 26 carries to go along with a touchdown.
Mason Rudolph who moves to 3-0 on the year as a starter for the Steelers, also had an efficient day going 18-for-20 for 152 yards. Rudolph had just one passing touchdowns, that would ultimately be the difference in the game as he found wide receiver Diontae Johnson for a 71-yard catch and run that at the time extended the Steelers lead 17-7.
The Ravens touchdown in the first half would be the Ravens only touchdown on the day, but would add a Justin Tucker 36-yard field goal to get within seven, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Ravens onside kick attempt would go unsuccessful. The Steelers win gives them a sweep of the Ravens in 2023, and gives them their third straight win over the Ravens.
While the Ravens were without Jackson on offense, Roquan Smith on defense as well as several other key pieces, the Ravens for the most part came away from Saturday’s game healthy which was the main goal for a Ravens team that had nothing to play for. Saturday allowed for several Ravens to get get playing time and gave a glimpse into the future for several young players who could be key contributors down the line.
One of those players that stood out was rookie linebacker Trenton Simpson. Simpson has played mostly special teams this season, but made the most of his opportunity Saturday. Simpson was all over the field finishing with seven total tackles, including recording his first career sack. Should Patrick Queen be lost in free agency Simpson showed the potential he possesses and why he was selected in the third round by the Ravens.
Despite the loss the Ravens had already clinched the number one overall seed and will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Ravens will have next week off before taking on the lowest remaining seed in the divisional round at home on either January 20th or 21st.
Notable Injuries:
Geno Stone (knee)- Day-to-Day
Del’Shawn Phillips (shoulder)- Week-to-Week
Brent Urban (concussion)- Day-to-Day
Games Notes:
Linebacker Trenton Simpson recorded his first career sack becoming the 16th different Raven to record a sack this season.
Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips led all Ravens with 13 total tackles.
Wide receiver Nelson Agholor led all Ravens with 39 receiving yards.
Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney tied a career high with 9.5 sacks.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley surpassed 500 career rushing yards with his 40 yards rushing on Saturday.
