Yes, the Steelers got their quarterback back on the field. That was about the only thing that went right, and that didn’t really help.
The Ravens took over first place in the AFC North with a dominant 21-14 win over the Steelers.
And even though that first place is with a 4-4 record, it still counts.
The Steelers are also 4-4, a tick ahead of the 3-4-1 Bengals in the rock fight that is one of the league’s most physical divisions.
And Sunday, it was the Ravens who bludgeoned the Steelers, with a defense that allowed nothing substantial.
The Steelers didn’t cross midfield until the fourth quarter, and finished the game with just 277 yards. Roethlisberger found some traction in the late stages of the game, but it was an overall sloppy day in his first game back after knee surgery. He was 23-of-45 passing for 264 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and those stats were inflated late.
The Steelers also had a punt blocked for a touchdown, and ran for just 36 yards.
Coupled with some injuries, it was an ugly day for Pittsburgh all the way around. Darrius Heyward-Bey left with a foot/ankle injury and didn’t return, and center Maurkice Pouncey tried to come back from a right thumb injury and wasn’t able to finish.
The only misstep for the Ravens was quarterback Joe Flacco’s inability to slide. He broke his left knee brace on the awkward attempt, and hobbled off the field for two plays, but was quickly back for a fourth-down attempt.
He wasn’t great, but on a day when his defense was, it was all they needed him to be.
