In a three-play span early in the fourth quarter, the Steelers turned up the pressure on the Ravens and cut Baltimore’s lead to one score.
But just as the Ravens appeared in some trouble, they retook control, and they now hold a 30-15 lead with less than eight minutes left at Heinz Field.
Let’s start at the beginning, with the Ravens holding a seemingly comfortable 20-9 lead early in the fourth.
On a first-down play, Ravens tailback Justin Forsett fumbled, with Steelers defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt recovering at the Baltimore 45. On the play, outside linebacker James Harrison pushed tight end Owen Daniels into Forsett, who collided with Daniels and lost the ball.
On the ensuing Steelers series, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger immediately threw deep for wideout Antonio Brown for a 44-yard gain.
Finally, after a penalty, Roethlisberger hit wideout Martavis Bryant for a five-yard TD. The two-point conversion failed, but the Steelers were within 20-15 with 11:01 left in regulation.
However, the Ravens would counter with a seven-play, 29-yard drive ending in Justin Tucker’s 52-yard field goal, extending their lead back to 23-15 with less than nine minutes left. A third-down conversion by Daniels on 3rd-and-13 was the key play of the drive.
Then, on the Steelers’ ensuing drive, the Ravens would notch a huge takeaway, with outside linebacker Terrell Suggs picking off a pass that deflected off of tailback Ben Tate’s hands. Incredibly, Suggs was able to secure the ball with his legs.
Now, the Ravens had the ball at the Pittsburgh 21. And they would not waste the opportunity, as quarterback Joe Flacco connected with tight end Crockett Gillmore on a 21-yard score to give Baltimore a 30-15 lead with 7:56 in regulation.
