Steelers MMQB: NFL Week 9 Wrap Up
By Kim Myers
So what words are there to say about the rematch between the Steelers and Ravens that aren’t profanity laced? The game started off with the Ravens on possession and Ray Rice breaking free for a touchdown run that was thankfully called back by a holding penalty and was a battle of field goals for most of the game. The Steelers defense couldn’t get off the field on 3rd downs to save their friggin lives. James Harrison came back with a monster game which included 3 sacks and a forced fumble on Flacco. A week after keeping Tom Brady on the sidelines the majority of the game and the Steelers defense was letting Flacco get all his yards on 3rd down.
There were some hard hits as to be expected in this game. Early in the second quarter, Hines Ward was leveled on a helmet to helmet hit by Ray Lewis, which was not flagged. Best part was the collision jarred the ball loose after the catch and Classy Harbaugh threw the challenge flag which allowed the refs that completely missed a clear example of a helmet to helmet hit the opportunity to watch it over and over again the call was reversed and ruled an incompletion. Ward never returned to the game. Later in the half Ryan Clark was flagged for 15 yards for a helmet to helmet hit on Ed Dickson. Should be interesting to see just who gets fined and for how much from some of these hits.
The Steelers started the second half with a very nice drive with Ben operating in the no-huddle but was ended on an interception by self proclaimed “Pittsburgh’s most hated athlete” Terrell Suggs on a screen play that was obvious to everyone in the stadium and watching at home. Other than the interception, desperate for attention Suggs was relatively quiet during the game after all the talking he did during the week. I hate to be the one to break this to you Suggs, but you’re not Pittsburgh’s most hated athlete, you’re not even close. We hate the uniform, you could be any other guy in that purple jersey and it doesn’t make a difference. I would bet that if you asked 20 yinzers which athlete they hate the most, Suggs name doesn’t even come up. In fact, I’d probably say that Alex Ovechkin comes up more often on the most hated list than Suggs so suck on that Terrell, you’re passed up by a hockey player.
The last few minutes of the game were by far the most frustrating of the season for me. After taking a 20-16 lead the Steelers had the opportunity to drive down the field for another score to set themselves up for the win. They had a 4th and 5 on the Ravens 29 yard line and some miscommunication leading up to a field goal attempt; the Steelers were given a delay of game penalty and backed up 5 more yards taking them way out of the already shaky field goal range. The Steelers punted the ball and gave the Ravens the last possession on the 8 yard line. 92 friggin yards. At one point the Ravens had a 4th and 1 which Flacco converted and kept their drive alive. Instead of a defensive stop and the win for the Steelers, Flacco comes out of that drive looking like a lot better quarterback than he actually is.
The Ravens did some celebrating on Heinz Field, giving Harbaugh a Gatorade shower in Week 9. Not sure if they remember that it isn’t actually the playoffs but it’s definitely as sign of respect to the Steelers that beating us twice in the regular season means this much to them. Good news for the Steelers is that seasons aren’t lost in November. An important game against the surprising Bungles is on the horizon and it’s time to move on. Odds are the Ravens are going to lose their next game anyway because they put all of their energy into beating the Steelers. We will see this team again in the playoffs but now it will most likely be on their field. Time to shake off the funk, correct these mistakes that allowed the first loss at Heinz Field this year and turn the attention towards that ginger in the stripes up in Cincy. Bring it on Week 10!
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