#LIVE: Ben Roethlisberger addresses the media following our 28-24 win over Baltimore.@UPMC https://t.co/i4lHsbrXLb
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 1, 2020
Steelers vs. Ravens score: Pittsburgh stays undefeated after rallying to beat Baltimore
Pittsburgh is 7-0 for the first time since 1978
The '72 Dolphins will have to wait at least one more week to pop their champagne. The Steelers, the NFL's last undefeated team, are 7-0 after rallying from behind to defeat the Ravens, 28-24.
Despite getting a pick-six by linebacker Robert Spillane on the game's first possession, the visiting Steelers found themselves trailing the Ravens at halftime, 17-7. But in the second half, another interception of Jackson, coupled with the play of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, allowed Pittsburgh to score 21 of the game's 28 points after the break. Roethlisberger, after managing just 42 passing yards in the first half, threw two second-half touchdown passes that included his game-winning, eight-yard pass to Chase Claypool with 7:32 left.
You love to see it!@ChaseClaypool | 📺 CBS 📱https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/jnpvs2XojD
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 1, 2020
The Ravens then had two chances to regain the lead, but were turned away both times. With under two minutes left, Steelers defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs stopped Jackson's fourth down run from the Steelers' 8-yard line. After a Pittsburgh punt, Baltimore drove to the Steelers' 23-yard-line before Jackson's pass in the end zone was broken up as time expired.
Not only did the Ravens lose to drop to 5-2, they also lost starting offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley after he suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter. Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after the game that Stanley's injury will keep him out for the remainder of the season.
Here's a deeper look at what transpired during Sunday's game.
Why the Steelers won
Pittsburgh scored 14 points off two interceptions of Jackson, who was sacked four times while failing to complete half of his 28 pass attempts. The Steelers also got their passing game going in the second half, with JuJu Smith-Schuster leading the way with seven receptions. Pittsburgh's defense, after allowing Jackson, Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins to rush for nearly 180 yards in the first half, held the Ravens to under 90 rushing yards in the second half. The Steelers' defense also came up with two critical stops late in the game to preserve the win.
Why the Ravens lost
Despite outgaining the Steelers 457-221, the Ravens suffered defeat after losing the turnover battle, 4-1. Baltimore's defense committed three costly penalties on Pittsburgh's final scoring drive and also allowed the Steelers to score touchdowns on all three of their red zone possessions. Conversely, the Ravens came away with no points on two separate trips inside the Steelers' 20-yard-line.
The Ravens also missed the absence of starters Stanley, offensive lineman Tyre Philips and defensive end Matt Judon during the course of the game. Phillips suffered an injury during the first quarter, while Judon was ejected after making contact with an official near the end of the first half. Baltimore did receive a strong game from Dobbins, who rushed for a season-high 113 yards while averaging 7.5 yards per carry.
Turning point
The Steelers appeared to be in trouble at halftime after gaining just 64 yards during the first 30 minutes. Pittsburgh's defense, as it did at the start of the game, came up with another huge play at the start of the second half when rookie outside linebacker Alex Highsmith picked off Jackson deep in Ravens territory. The score set up Roethlisberger's 18-yard touchdown pass to Eric Ebron. Pittsburgh's defense then forced a punt before James Conner's one-yard touchdown run gave the Steelers the lead heading into the fourth quarter.
First career interception for @highsmith34!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 1, 2020
📺 CBS 📱https://t.co/tI5aUTu7te pic.twitter.com/IJdB7RSKWe
Play of the game
Buggs, who replaced injured starter Tyson Alualu, came up with the big stop of Jackson on the Ravens' fourth down attempt with less than two minutes left. The Steelers' defense then held off the Ravens' last second pass, as Jackson's end zone pass for Willie Snead was broken up by Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Isaiah Buggs played out of his mind in the second half and came up with the play of the game.
— Across The Bridge (@ATBPGH) November 1, 2020
Big-time @BigPooh_91
pic.twitter.com/WZ63K7hM4O
Quotable
"We have respect for him, but we don't fear him. So we're not surprised by anything that transpires." -- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on the success Pittsburgh's defense had against defending Jackson
What's next
Pittsburgh will remain on the road for a third straight week next Sunday, as they head to Dallas to face the Cowboys. The Ravens will head to Indianapolis to face the Colts, who improved to 5-2 on Sunday after defeating the Lions in Detroit.
Relive Sunday's thrilling game by taking a look at our live blog below.
Live updates
"That's our brother. We don't want to see our brother go down." @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/AhdSBsbHTd
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
"Gotta clean those up." @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/rOvG9oBMbu
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
Great Team Win!! 7-0!! #HereWeGo #SteelerNation
— Mike Hilton (@MikeHilton_28) November 1, 2020
7-0!!!!!!
— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) November 1, 2020
7-0⚫️🟡⚫️🟡 pic.twitter.com/I2j41l5tX9
— 6IG 9ASTY (@kdd7696) November 1, 2020
Losing? Never heard of her.
— Chase Claypool (@ChaseClaypool) November 1, 2020
7-0 #HereWeGo
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) November 1, 2020
What a battle. Proud of how this team fought today. It wasn’t pretty, but we found a way to get it done. pic.twitter.com/1fbJZkC5XS
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) November 1, 2020
"We'll make the next time we play this team matter." @CalaisCampbell pic.twitter.com/CdHw0Y4NBX
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
Tough loss...Learning lessons early
— Marlon Humphrey (@marlon_humphrey) November 1, 2020
I love this team, everyone counted us out and we FOUGHT. We can only improve from here. LOVED having some of the FLOCK in the house today! #ontoIndy
— Pat Ricard (@PRic508) November 1, 2020
"Control what we can control." @Willie_Snead4G pic.twitter.com/xux5UJszL4
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
"@megatronnie is one of those guys that everyone in our locker room looks up to. It sucks to see that, but I know he'll come back stronger." @Willie_Snead4G pic.twitter.com/tY1cV8HRrv
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
"Everything we want is in front of us. We have to go take it." @ZEUS__78 pic.twitter.com/ISt0VLYzB2
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
"It's hard to put in words losing a leader like that." @ZEUS__78 on losing Ronnie pic.twitter.com/0umTzM6zj6
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
Statement from OLB Matthew Judon. pic.twitter.com/H7U4DsUHIa
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
"@DJTheWarrior76 is a hard fighter. We have a bunch of great men. I have a lot of optimism going forward." @ZEUS__78 pic.twitter.com/4ISaTVN6s1
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
"@Willie_Snead4G had a heck of a game." pic.twitter.com/XYgHBMfff1
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
"I love our guys. They're going to give you everything they have every single play. We go from here to become the best team we can be." pic.twitter.com/Sc2UUfGt2a
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
"I feel bad for Ronnie. He's been playing well and he wants to be a part of this.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
The guys that stepped in played very well." pic.twitter.com/K5LFD1uoxX
💪 MOOD RN 💪@BigPooh_91 | #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/rIUDacSl1w
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 1, 2020
"We didn't play well enough to win the game in the end. We fought hard." pic.twitter.com/BrzbilHyPG
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
#LIVE: Coach Tomlin addresses the media following our 28-24 win over the Ravens.@UPMC https://t.co/rogH2TS4eT
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 1, 2020
Coach Harbaugh announces Ronnie Stanley will miss the remainder of the season (ankle injury). pic.twitter.com/cvj9IxyrqE
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
Thanks again for joining us! Make sure to follow CBS Sports.com for all of your Week 8 NFL coverage.
Great game @Ravens. Well played @steelers. See you on thanksgiving. Big prayers to @megatronnie for a quick recovery 🙌 #RavensFlock
— Duff Goldman (@duffgoldman) November 1, 2020
Thats' going to wrap it up for our coverage to today's game. Nice win for the Steelers, who improved to 7-0 for the first time since 1978. The Ravens, now 5-2, are still in second place in the AFC North after the Browns fell at home to the Raiders on Sunday. Baltimore will also turn its attention to Ronnie Stanley, who suffered a nasty injury in the first quarter.
Fought to the end. Not our day. pic.twitter.com/P1YHCbTSkm
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 1, 2020
STEELERS!!!!!!
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 1, 2020
WIN!!!!!#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/4bBdQ6g4Q3