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BALTIMORE (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers have an extended method to go earlier than they’ll make the playoffs.
After what occurred this weekend, will you dare to rely them?
Kenny Pickett threw 10 yard cross Najee Harris had 56 seconds left to provide the Steelers a 16-13 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday evening and improbably preserve their postseason hopes alive getting into the ultimate week of the common season.
“Actually pleased with these guys within the locker room,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin mentioned. “One other powerful week, hostile atmosphere, telecast on the highway. However these guys did not blink a watch.”
The Steelers (8-8) spent Sunday strolling the tightrope of elimination, however by no means fell.
– Miami misplaced to New England. A Dolphins win may have knocked Pittsburgh out.
– New York Jets misplaced to Seattle. If New York had been to win, it would not utterly eradicate the Steelers, however they would want to play the Jets and Dolphins to tie the sport subsequent week for Pittsburgh to have any likelihood.
“They put our recreation at 8, in order that they had been capable of see some issues that had been happening,” Harris mentioned. “We noticed it, however we did not wish to draw an excessive amount of consideration to it. We simply wished to concentrate on what we needed to do, and that was beat the Ravens.”
Pittsburgh trailed 13-9 and wanted to drive 80 yards to succeed in the tip zone in opposition to a staff that hadn’t allowed a landing since Halloween. With their opponents on the road within the season, the Steelers confronted 10 on third-and-8. Pickett broke away from the strain and the rookie made an ideal cross to Harris, who slipped behind quarterback Roquan Smith alongside the left sideline.
“It was simply form of, prolong the sport slightly bit,” Pickett mentioned. “I simply wished to maintain my eyes down and shoot certainly one of our guys.”
Pittsburgh can now make the playoffs by beating Cleveland subsequent weekend if Miami and New England each lose. The Steelers slipped into the postseason final 12 months by beating the Ravens in time beyond regulation, and even then they wanted Indianapolis to lose to a Jacksonville staff with the league’s worst document.
The playoff-bound Ravens (10-6) now want Buffalo to beat Cincinnati on Monday to maintain their hopes of successful the AFC North alive. Baltimore allowed a landing at dwelling for the primary time in 4 video games, and it was pricey.
“It is irritating on protection as a result of we preach the end,” Chuck Clark mentioned. “Proper there we did not end and do what we needed to do to get off the sphere. We’ve to go off the sphere to assist the entire staff.”
Tyler Huntley assisted Isaiah Huntley late within the first half for the sport’s solely different landing.
The Steelers need assistance to make the playoffs, however they’re in full management of the common season. They have not had a shedding document since 2003, and so they by no means have beneath coach Mike Tomlin, now in his sixteenth season.
A penalty on Pittsburgh’s Cam Heyward resulted within the first down of the sport. Tied at 3 late within the second quarter, the Steelers arrange Baltimore on third down, however Heyward was referred to as for an pointless roughness whereas on prime of the pile. As a substitute of settling for a area aim, the Ravens had one other down on the Pittsburgh 7 with 11 seconds left.
On the following play, Huntley threw Havan to his left close to the aim line to place Baltimore up by seven.
The Ravens are 2-2 with out quarterback Lamar Jackson, who’s sidelined once more with a knee harm. The passing recreation seemed sharper Sunday than in a few of Huntley’s earlier actions, however he was intercepted late within the recreation after the Steelers took the lead.
Baltimore had simply 240 yards of offense.
“Very disillusioned. Not certainly one of our higher performances in any respect,” coach John Harbaugh mentioned. “Coaching workers. Begin with that, begin with me. A recreation plan, all of it. Not adequate. Very disappointing.”
Harris ran for 111 yards for Pittsburgh. JK Dobbins ran for 93 yards for Baltimore.
STATISTICS AND FACTS
Harris turned the primary participant all season to hurry for 100 yards in opposition to the Ravens. Baltimore’s 14-game streak of being outscored has ended. Pittsburgh gained that battle 198-120. … The Ravens have misplaced simply thrice in 22 dwelling video games beneath Harbaugh. … The final three video games between Baltimore and Pittsburgh ended 16-13, 16-14 and 16-13. The final six have been determined by 5 factors or extra. … The Steelers have gained six of eight after a 2-6 begin. Solely Washington in 2020 and Cincinnati in 1970 have made the playoffs after beginning 2-6.
Accidents
Steelers LB Myles Jack is out with a groin harm. … Pittsburgh CB James Pierre, who’s Jackson’s cousin, suffered a concussion. … Baltimore WR Andy Isabella has a hamstring harm and T Morgan Moses has a biceps harm.
NEXT
Steelers. host Cleveland subsequent Sunday.
Ravens. in Cincinnati subsequent Sunday.
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Comply with Noah Trister at https://twitter.com/noahtrister
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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