PITTSBURGH – What. A. Game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers went into hostile territory, faced their archrival in a roaring M&T Bank Stadium, and walked out with a 34-31 victory that now puts them in first place in the AFC North for now. It was not pretty, it was not perfect, but it was pure Pittsburgh football filled with grit, physicality, and clutch plays when it mattered most.
The Carter Show
Let’s start with the obvious. Nate Carter went absolutely nuclear. The rookie running back was unstoppable all afternoon, racking up 173 yards on just 16 carries and scoring twice on the ground. If that was not enough, he added 77 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air for good measure.
Simply put, the Ravens had no answer. Whether it was bouncing outside or bursting through arm tackles up the middle, Carter showed why Coach DK LaFleur has been singing his praises all season. The guy ran like he had something to prove, and he made Baltimore’s front seven look like they were playing in quicksand.
“Nate was unbelievable,” LaFleur said after the game. “He ran with vision, patience, and power. That is exactly what we need from our offense, balance and trust in the run game.”
Ridder Plays Efficient, Not Flashy
Desmond Ridder did not light up the stat sheet like we have seen in past weeks, but he did not need to. He finished with 301 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception with a 90.9 NFL passer rating. The offense moved the ball well, and while Ridder missed a couple of throws he would probably like back, he managed the game effectively and let the run game do the heavy lifting.
Ridder also used his legs to make key plays, rushing twice for 28 yards and punching in a rushing touchdown in the first quarter that helped Pittsburgh build early momentum.
Washington and the Supporting Cast
Tight end Darnell Washington continues to prove he is becoming a serious problem for defenses. He led the Steelers in receiving yards with 79 on just three catches, including a 29 yard rumble.
Calvin Austin added three catches for 38 yards, using his quickness to convert a few key first downs, while Jonnu Smith contributed another 33 yards through the air on three receptions as well.
Defense Delivers in Crunch Time
If Nate Carter was the story on offense, then T.J. Watt was the exclamation point on defense. The former Defensive Player of the Year went absolutely berserk with four sacks, five tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles, one of which sealed the game late in the fourth quarter when he stripped Lamar Jackson as Baltimore tried to mount a comeback.
“He is just relentless,” said Coach LaFleur. “You cannot coach that kind of motor. That is what leaders do, they finish games.”
Watt was not alone, though. Alex Highsmith had a strip sack of his own and two tackles for loss, while Cameron Heyward turned back the clock with a vintage performance that included one sack, four tackles for loss, and constant disruption in the middle. Rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon added a sack too, continuing to prove that he belongs in this rotation.
And do not overlook Jalen Ramsey. His third quarter interception flipped the momentum when the Ravens were threatening to take control. That play helped Pittsburgh big time and swung the control back in their favor.
Payton Wilson was everywhere, finishing with eight tackles and chasing down everything that moved. The guy flies around like a missile and has quietly become one of the most reliable tacklers on the defense.
A Statement Win
This one means something. The Ravens came in at 8-4, sitting atop the division, and looked poised to defend their home turf. Instead, the black and gold marched in, took their punches, and delivered bigger ones in return.
The Steelers forced three fumbles, recovered one, and just made more plays down the stretch. They found a way, and that has been the theme of this team under DK LaFleur.
Now sitting at 8-5 and 7-3 under LaFleur’s leadership, Pittsburgh controls its destiny. There is still plenty of work to do, but this win over Baltimore feels like a defining moment.
If you are a Steelers fan, you have to love what you are seeing, a balanced offense, a suffocating defense, and a team that just refuses to fold.
The division crown is within reach, and after a win like this, one thing is clear: the Steelers are coming.
– Forged In Steel Times
