The Steelers got it done and then compliments of former Steeler Mike Vrabel, walk into the playoffs…
It was a game they had to have, and they went and got it. The Steelers were able to manhandle the Baltimore Ravens J.V. squad defeating them 17-10 on a cold and rainy day in Baltimore. The Steelers punched their ticket to the playoffs with a little help from the Tennessee Titans, who sent the loud mouth Terrible Towel stomping Jaguars home!
Mason Rudolph put together a solid if unspectacular week and continued his winning ways. It would seem unfathomable that he would not start next week now. Rudolph finished 18 of 20 for 152 tidy yard in treacherous conditions and one huge touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson. Johnson led the team with 89 yards. What didn’t show up in the stat sheet was his ability to keep George Pickens under control, who was held without a catch and target.
The running game continued its’ renaissance grinding out 155 yards on the ground led by Najee Harris with 26 carries and 112 yards. Jaylen Warren contributed 33 yards on the ground with the longest run of the day, a 23-yarder. Warren seemed to struggle with the elements and fumbled twice, losing one. Both backs had five catches.
The defense knew the Ravens game plan and were able to thwart it. Tyler Huntley, filled in for Lamar Jackson and struggled for the most part. The running game never really got going and the defense held the Ravens to just 224 yards.
T.J. Watt had two sacks and finished as the league leader, before leaving with a knee injury. Markus Golden also recorded a sack, as he filled in for the injured Watt, that helped seal the victory. Mark Robinson had a big day with a sack and a fumble punch out late in the second quarter.
The secondary was never really tested, and Huntley finished with under 150 yards in the air. Eric Rowe’s forced fumble all but sealed the victory giving the Steelers excellent field position and setting up a 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Considering Rowe was on the couch as late as November it was a terrific job helping the Steelers leaky secondary.
Chris Boswell finished his outstanding bounce back season, with the clinching 25-yard field goal. He finished the season 29-31 on field goals. Pressley Harvin III was his usual maddening inconsistent self. He belted a great punt that trapped the Ravens inside the 10-yard line. The coverage team had too many men on the field, he then flubbed the re-kick a paltry 26 yards.
Calvin Austin III breathed life into the return game on punts, with 92 yards on five returns. He had a 34-yard return the Steelers didn’t capitalize on. Give credit to Godwin Igwebuike who made a heads up play on a Justin Turner kickoff, grabbing the ball with one foot out of bounds, costing the Ravens a penalty and giving the Steelers the ball at the 40.
It has been such a Jekyll and Hyde season for the Steelers coaching staff, but one thing was certain despite numerous injuries and all sorts of outside noise and distractions, Coach Tomlin kept the train on the tracks and the Steelers were able to make the playoffs!
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Going Eric Rowe whose forced fumble, basically sealed the victory for the Steelers, six weeks ago he was on the couch watching football. Also Considered: Godwin Igwebuike who made a heads up play on the kickoff, with one foot out of bounds costing the Ravens a penalty and field position.
Beer of the Game: The Big Iron, Iron City 24ounce cans! Had to go with the original! The Steelers signature beer did the trick this week!
“Steel the Snacks”: No “Steel the Snacks” again because of the Saturday game.
My Stat of the week: Going with 19 sacks, T.J. Watt, is the first player in NFL history to lead the league in sacks in three different seasons, he is also only the fourth player to have two 19-sack seasons, Demarcus Ware, Mark Gastineau and his brother J.J. were the other three.
My thoughts on next week: Well by a minor miracle the Steelers will head into Buffalo for the first round of the playoffs. It will be a tough outing but the Steelers are made for these types of games. It looks like no T.J. Watt which will make this infinitely tougher. However the Steelers are likely to get back both starting safeties!
Jersey of the Week: Steelers 1962 Logo Jersey without a number. I love this jersey and I decided to give it a shot for the last weekend of the regular season!