NFL Passion: Never Say Die For Ravens

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been playing excellent football the last few weeks, Sunday Night was no different. They have won huge games that claimed them first place in the AFC. What the Pittsburgh Steelers had failed to do coming into Sunday was defeat their biggest rival the Baltimore Ravens, and thanks to a last minute drive by a steadily improving Joe Flacco the exellent football amounted to nothing for the Steelers. With teamwork and a never say die attitude on both sides of the ball the Ravens won in Pittsburgh 23-20 sweeping the season series and improving to 6-2, while the Steelers fall to 6-3 and no longer first in the AFC or AFC North. In fact, they aren't even second in their division anymore, the Cincinatti Bengals are 6-2, good for a first place tie with the Baltimore Ravens for first place in not onlt the AFC North but the entire conference. Wow, what a season it has been for the Cincinatti Bengals they are the real deal good for them. Now the Bengals and teh Steelers get to settle their differences next Sunday in a game where Cincinatti may feel the pain Pittsburgh feels on this night. Or Pitssburgh can feel more pain and yet again be on the NFL's list of question marks. But one thing is certain, this was a classic and run of the mill Steelers/Ravens football game, which by no means disappointed and most definitely was the game of the day.

Joe Flacco most definitely rose to the occasion on this night, making little to no mistakes, protecting the football, and leading a flawless final drive for victory despite several drops by his wide receivers. Wide receiver Torrey Smith dropped several passes in the game, but finally came through with the biggest catch of the season for the Ravens, catching a 26 yard touchdown pass from Flacco with 8 seconds to play. It was a stunning loss for Pittsburgh, who thought they had the game within reach after a very good second half performance following Ben Roethlisberger's 3rd quarter interception to Terrell Suggs. Suggs simply detected the route Ben was throwing to and jumped it, excellent play. But Roethlisberger responded, leading an excellent drive to end the third and start the fourth, moving the chains and takingh a nice run to the one yard line before Reshard Mendenhall punched it in to cut Baltomre's lead to 16-13. Big Ben would then connect with Mike Wallace with five minutes to play, giving the Steelers the 20-16 lead with 5 minutes to play. Big Ben finished with 330 yards passing. But the Ravens have shown they can finally overcome the Steelers this season, and they just might get over th hump and into the Superbowl this year.

The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry is undoubtedly the best in football today and easily one pof the greatest of all time. They always begin a defensive struggle, and often end in great displays of offensive in clutch situations. They often have ended in Pittsburgh victories in recent seasons. But this year is Baltimore's year, and it looks like they may have all but locked up the NFC North if they can fend off the pesky Bengals this season. But as we all know ], this series often tends to go a third round, and the I think the Steelers will take losing the first two if they could deliver the knockout in round three like they have done so many times the last few years. This knockout punch will have to be delivered on the road this year. Either that or the Ravens will send Pittsburgh back to where they came from and celebrating freedom from not have thier road blocked by the Steel Curtain. Only one thing is for certain, it is very possible, it is much anticipated, and will be another Steelers vs. Ravens football game. We wouldn't have it any other way.