Week 16 Game Recap: Baltimore Ravens 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 7

What you need to know

Baltimore Ravens

After clinching the division a week ago, the Ravens gained something even more valuable with their win against the Steelers as they now find themselves as the AFC’s #2 seed. With the aid of a Colts’ loss to the Texans the Ravens moved ahead of Indianapolis and can lock up at least the #2 seed with a win next week at home against Buffalo.

The Ravens rode McNair’s hot hand and their dominant defense to win in Pittsburgh for the first time since the 2001 season. McNair threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns making it look easy against the Steelers’ defensive backs. The defense pressured Roethlisberger and recorded five sacks and forced three turnovers.

The Ravens’ defense stymied the Steelers’ rushing attack and held Willie Parker to 29 yards on the ground and kept the speedy back out of the end zone. They also pressured and rattled Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger from the outset and did not let up throughout the game. In two meetings this season the Ravens outscored the Steelers 58-7, sacked Roethlisberger 13 times and six turnovers.

Steve McNair improved his record as starter against Pittsburgh to 10-4. Jamal Lewis went over 1,000 yards with his 77 yards in the game.

Pittsburgh Steelers

A busted play on the first play from scrimmage for the Steelers set the tone for the entire game for Roethlisberger and the offense. The Ravens embarrassed the Steelers in front of the hometown fans and eliminated them from the playoffs and possibility of defending their title.

Willie Parker had no success running the ball and Roethlisberger couldn’t generate any offense through the passing game. Four of their first six possessions were three and out with the remaining two series going four and out.

Pittsburgh had just 251 yards of total offense with nearly 50 of those yards coming on the final series of the game.

The lone score for Pittsburgh came on a one yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Heath Miller with seven seconds remaining in the half. The touchdown was set up by an interception by Pittsburgh which put Roethlisberger and the offense into Ravens’ territory for the first time in the game The Steelers’ defense played well but seemed to wear down as the game went on. With the help of an anemic offense, the defense spent over 35 minutes on the field. Troy Polamalu returned to the starting line up and led the team in tackles. However, Polamalu gave up two touchdowns and was clearly beaten by the Ravens’ receivers on both plays. DeShea Townsend and Bryant McFadden had an interception each and combined on a forced fumble and recovery.

The Steelers fell to 1-7 this season when Ben Roethlisberger has 30 or more passing attempts in a game.

What you ought to know

QB Steve McNair, Pass: 21 - 31 - 256 - 3 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 2 - 0 - 0

McNair played a solid game despite the cut on his throwing hand sustained in last week’s game. He had a terrific first quarter connecting on six of eight passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. McNair didn’t stop there as he threw for two more touchdowns in the game. His first touchdown to Mark Clayton was a beautiful strike for 35 yards down the middle with just enough loft to hit his receiver in stride. His second was a one yard pass to a wide open Daniel Wilcox after a fake handoff to Lewis pulled the defender to the line of scrimmage. McNair again found the end zone when the speedy Demetrius Williams broke free down the sideline for the 25 yard score. On the negative side, McNair did throw two interceptions but one was clearly not his fault as Mark Clayton tipped the intended pass right into the defenders hands. The other interception was a poorly thrown pass by McNair but the Steelers couldn’t capitalize on the turnover. McNair final stats were 21 of 31 for 256 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

RB Jamal Lewis, Rush: 24 - 77 - 1, Rec: 2 - 21 - 0 (2 targets)

Lewis numbers weren’t staggering but the Ravens did not abandon the running game early and continued to feed Lewis the ball with the lead. Lewis went over 1,000 yards for the season with his performance against the Steelers and scored his ninth rushing touchdown for the year. Late in the fourth quarter, he scored on a one yard run, hurdling defenders to solidify the Ravens’ victory. Lewis rushed for 77 yards on 24 carries while adding another 21 yards on two catches out of the backfield.

RB Ovie Mughelli, Rush: 4 - 21 - 0, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (1 targets)

Mughelli caught his only target of the game for a 13 yard gain. He contributed and additional 21 yards on the ground on four carries.

RB Mike Anderson, Rush: 3 - 5 - 0, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (2 targets)

Anderson caught one of two targets as an outlet receiver for a four yard gain in the first quarter. In the second quarter, he rushed for a five yard gain to the Steelers’ one yard line but failed to get in the end zone on the next play being stopped for no gain. He had just five yards rushing on three carries in the game.

WR Mark Clayton, Rec: 7 - 108 - 1 (10 targets)

Clayton had a huge first quarter for the Ravens with five catches for 87 yards and a touchdown. His first two receptions of the game were 14 yards each, followed by a 20 yard pick up on his third grab. Clayton scored late in the first quarter on a deep post pattern as he clearly beat Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu for a 35 yard touchdown. He had one of his best games for the season with seven catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. Five of his receptions went for first downs for the Ravens. Clayton did have a target that he couldn’t come down with tip off his hands for an interception which led to the only points for the Steelers.

WR Demetrius Williams, Rec: 2 - 45 - 1 (4 targets)

Williams was targeted just one time in the first half. The rookie wide receiver caught his first pass of the game on the Ravens first possession in the second half for a 25 yard touchdown. Williams was left in single coverage against Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu and showed his speed as he easily beat him down the left sideline and McNair hit Williams in stride for the easy score. He caught another deep pass down the right sideline on the Ravens next possession for a 20 yard gain. Although he caught just two passes, Williams has scored a touchdown in two consecutive games.

WR Derrick Mason, Rec: 2 - 10 - 0 (5 targets)

Mason was not much of a factor in the offense with just one catch in the first half for a first down. He had a couple of additional targets in the first half including a deep target thrown out of bounds. His other reception of the game went for no gain as he was hit immediately after the catch. Mason ended the game with just two catches for ten yards.

TE Todd Heap, Rec: 4 - 50 - 0 (5 targets)

Heap was non-existent in the first half for Baltimore with no targets. However, he ignited the offense on their opening drive in the second half with three catches for 31 yards including an 18 yard grab that help set up McNair’s third touchdown pass. Heap finished the game with four catches for 50 yards.

TE Daniel Wilcox, Rec: 2 - 5 - 1 (2 targets)

Wilcox had an up and down day for the Ravens. His first reception went for a one yard touchdown grab; his second catch was a four yard gain culminating in a turnover when he was stripped of the ball.

PK Matt Stover 1 - 1 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 7 points

Stover was perfect on the day, making all four extra points and his only field goal attempt from 26 yards away.

BAL Rush Defense

Willie Parker found it difficult all game to pick up yardage, inside or outside, finishing with just 29 yards on 13 carries. The Ravens allowed just two rushing first downs and no touchdowns. They allowed a total of 63 yards rushing to Pittsburgh with Roethlisberger the leading rusher with 33 yards.

BAL Pass Defense

The Ravens’ pass defense pressured Roethlisberger all game long and keep him off balance and out of sync with his receivers. The constant pressure generated two interceptions for the Ravens by Ed Reed and rookie Dawan Landry. Landry’s was returned for a touchdown but was challenged by Pittsburgh and overturned after the review showed he clearly stepped out of bounds prior to reaching the end zone.

The Ravens tallied five sacks led by Ngata, Ivy and Landry with one each. Corey Ivy also forced a Willie Parker fumble near the goal line that was recovered by Ed Reed.

QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pass: 15 - 31 - 156 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 4 - 33 - 0

Roethlisberger appeared uncomfortable in the pocket all game often under pressure from the Ravens relentless pass rush. He was very inconsistent in the first half missing his intended target often and having several passes deflected at the line of scrimmage. Roethlisberger struggled to sustain a drive on the Steelers first six possessions, yielding just two first downs and six punts. He did show signs of life after a Steelers’ defensive turnover put Pittsburgh in Ravens’ territory for the first time in the game. Roethlisberger completed four of four passes for 25 yards including the one yard touchdown strike to Heath Miller. He also scrambled for 13 yards on that same series. His numbers at the half were eight of 14 for 64 yards and a touchdown. Things didn’t get any better in the second half for Roethlisberger as he threw two interceptions leading to ten points for the Ravens. Roethlisberger would finish the game completing 15 of 31 passes for 156 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Unfortunately for the Steelers, he led the team with 33 yards rushing.

QB Charlie Batch, Pass: 4 - 11 - 49 - 0 TD / 0 INT

Batch came in with the game out of reach on the Steelers last offensive series and threw 11 straight passes and moving the ball deep into Ravens’ territory before time expired. He completed four of 11 passes for 49 yards on his only drive.

RB Willie Parker, Rush: 13 - 29 - 0

After a huge performances the last two weeks versus Cleveland and Carolina, Parker had dismal numbers against the NFL’s top defense. Parker had just 17 yards at the half on six carries and struggled to find any openings inside or outside. His longest run of the game, for eight yards, came early in the fourth quarter but stripped of the ball by Ravens’ cornerback Corey Ivy. The costly turnover by Parker came inside the Ravens five yard line with the Steelers trailing 21-7, thus crushing the hopes of a comeback. Parker ended the game with a mere 29 yards on 13 carries for an average of just over two yards per carry. In two game against Baltimore this season, Parker rushed for a combined 51 yards on 26 carries and no touchdowns.

RB Najeh Davenport, Rush: 1 - 1 - 0 (2 targets)

Davenport was not a factor on offense for the Steelers but did play well returning kickoffs. He has one carry for one yard and two targets in the fourth quarter. Davenport had an end zone target on the last play of the game but the pass was nearly intercepted by Baltimore.

WR Hines Ward, Rec: 8 - 79 - 0 (18 targets)

Ward saw a steady dose of targets throughout the game and led the Steelers with eight receptions. He tallied the only first down of the first quarter for Pittsburgh on a 12 yard grab down the left sideline. Ward was targeted with a couple of deep passes but was successful on just one for a 17 yard gain when Roethlisberger spotted him matched up against Ravens’ linebacker Bart Scott. He was a deep target that was intercepted as Roethlisberger’s arm was hit by Trevor Pryce during his follow through. Ward finished with eight receptions for 79 yards.

WR Santonio Holmes, Rec: 5 - 90 - 0 (13 targets)

Holmes appeared to be a favorite target early on seeing three of four passes from Roethlisberger to start the game. However, on all three targets Roethlisberger and Holmes just didn’t appear to be in sync as the passes were deflected, overthrown and dropped. Holmes picked up his first reception late in the third quarter on a 31 yard completion down the right sideline as Roethlisberger tossed the ball up for grabs as Holmes got separation from the defender. His other three receptions came late with the game out of reach. Holmes led the Steelers with 90 yards on five receptions.

WR Cedrick Wilson, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (3 targets)

Wilson saw limited playing time in favor of rookie Santonio Holmes. He caught just two short passes for 15 yards and was targeted in the fourth quarter only.

WR Nate Washington, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (5 targets)

Washington had five targets thrown his way but ended with just one catch for nine yards. He did have a couple of deep targets but one was easily defended by the Ravens, the other was intercepted by Baltimore.

TE Heath Miller, Rec: 3 - 12 - 1 (3 targets)

Miller caught all three of his targets for a total of 12 yards. He scored the lone Pittsburgh touchdown on a one yard grab on a fourth and one just before halftime. Miller had no targets in the second half.

PK Jeff Reed 0 - 0 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 1 points

Reed made his only extra point attempt in the game. He did not have any field goal attempts.

PIT Rush Defense

The Steelers defense held Jamal Lewis and the Ravens’ running backs to 47 yards in the first half and no touchdowns. With the lead, the Ravens continued to control the clock and run the ball and manage to find the end zone on a Lewis one yard plunge in the fourth quarter. Overall, the Steelers’ rush defense played well holding the Ravens to a total of 103 yards and one touchdown.

PIT Pass Defense

The Steelers’ pass defense was unable to put any pressure on Steve McNair, yielding zero sacks. Although they did have an interception each by Townsend and McFadden neither was created by the pass rush up front for Pittsburgh. Townsend and McFadden also combined on a forced fumble and fumble recovery, respectively. Safety Troy Polamalu returned to the starting lineup and led the team in tackles with eight. On the downside, Polamalu was beaten by Ravens’ wide receivers for two touchdowns in the game. For the game, Pittsburgh allowed 256 passing yards and three touchdowns.