The Sports Xchange
Dec 27, 2015
BALTIMORE -- In his first game for Baltimore, quarterback Ryan Mallett threw for a career-high 274 yards and the Ravens shocked the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 20-17 victory on Sunday,
Baltimore swept the season series and has beaten the Steelers in five of the past six meetings.
Mallett signed with the Ravens just 12 days ago after being cut by the Houston Texans earlier in the season. He completed 28 of 41 pass with a touchdown.
Ravens running back Javorius Allen recovered from some costly fumbles over the past two weeks and finished with 79 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown.
Baltimore and Pittsburgh have one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL and this game had plenty of drama.
Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith had a 101-yard touchdown return negated by an offside penalty by linebacker Courtney Upshaw. Running back DeAngelo Williams took advantage had a 2-yard run to pull the Steelers to within 20-17 with 6:33 left in the game.
The Steelers got the ball on their own 20 with just over two minutes remaining. The Ravens, however, defense came up big and stopped the Steelers could on a 4th and 15 to seal the victory.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed 23 of 33 passes for 272 yards and two costly interceptions. Williams had 84 of his 100 rushing yards in the first half with two touchdowns.
A pair of pass interference penalties against Baltimore set up a 1-yard run by Williams that pulled the Steelers within 13-10 with 11:18 left in the third quarter. An interception by Smith gave the Ravens the ball at their own 42. Mallett then had a 39-yard pass to Chris Givens and a 34-yard strike to fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Allen completed the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run and the Ravens led 20-10 with 10:35 remaining in the game.
It was the first time in seven games Pittsburgh was held to less than 30 points.
The Ravens got some early confidence when they stopped Williams on a 4th and 1 on the opening possession. Baltimore then drove 75 yards and took a 7-0 lead on a 8-yard pass from Mallett to wide receiver Chris Matthews.
The Steelers appeared to tie the game early in the second quarter when Roethlisberger hit Brown for a 16-yard score. However, a review showed the receiver did not have possession and the Steelers had to settle for a 34-yard field goal by Chris Boswell.
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker responded with field goals from 37 and 50 yards to boost the margin to 13-3 at the half.
NOTES: Baltimore CB Jimmy Smith was able to play despite leaving the previous game in the first quarter with a thigh injury. Smith had a pair of pass interference penalties and an interception … Steelers FB Roosevelt Nix (right foot) left the game early in the fourth quarter and could not return. He did not have a carry. … Ravens QB Jimmy Clausen was inactive after starting the past two weeks. He threw for 555 yards with two touchdowns with three interceptions in two losses.