Russell Wilson’s errors vs. Ravens might loom massive in Steelers’ division title quest.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are normally well-rounded sufficient to win video games even when Wilson doesn’t play spectacularly.
That confirmed on Nov. 17, when Pittsburgh held off the visiting Baltimore Ravens 18-16 with first place within the AFC North on the road.
Wilson threw for simply 205 yards, was intercepted as soon as, and by no means obtained the offense in the long run zone, however Chris Boswell’s six area targets had been simply sufficient for a Pittsburgh protection that clamped down on Baltimore’s high-powered offense.
Skip forward 5 weeks to Saturday’s rematch, and Wilson once more was pedestrian, to place it kindly. This time that wasn’t adequate. And it could find yourself costing the Steelers the division.
Wilson was higher in opposition to the Ravens the second time round in some methods, throwing two touchdowns and ending with a 38.0 QBR after posting a season-low 15.2 clip within the first assembly. However along with his elevated manufacturing got here a pair of pivotal errors.
The primary occurred with the sport tied at 7 early within the second quarter and triggered a 14-point swing.
Pittsburgh drove to Baltimore’s 23-yard line when Wilson escaped the pocket and charged towards the top zone. He appeared poised to present the Steelers the lead till Ravens security Ar’Darius Washington pressured a fumble with a jarring hit, and Baltimore recovered at its personal 4. Eight performs and 96 yards later, the hosts jumped forward 14-7.
Wilson helped Pittsburgh draw even at 17 early within the third quarter, and the Steelers had been nonetheless very a lot within the recreation when Wilson and firm trotted onto the sphere trailing 24-17 with 13:57 left within the fourth.
Then got here the backbreaker.
Wilson faked a handoff, rolled to his proper and misfired on a throw within the flat that Marlon Humphrey intercepted and returned 37 yards for an important pick-six. Deflated, Pittsburgh did nothing on its closing two drives and watched its arch rival safe a 3rd straight playoff berth.
A Steelers win would have locked up the division, however Pittsburgh’s margin for error is now uncomfortably slim coming into the ultimate weeks of the common season.
Each the Steelers and the Ravens are 10-5, and whereas Pittsburgh presently owns the tiebreaker by means of convention report, Baltimore’s closing two video games are a bit extra favorable. The Ravens go to Houston on Wednesday earlier than internet hosting Cleveland within the regular-season finale.
After all, neither of these video games are gimmies, however Baltimore might very nicely take the North if it might prevail in each contemplating what’s on faucet for the Steelers. Pittsburgh hosts 14-1 Kansas Metropolis on Wednesday after which welcomes a Cincinnati squad that challenged the Steelers in a 44-38 loss on Dec. 1.
Pittsburgh nonetheless controls its future within the AFC North, however it’ll be truthful to look again on Saturday’s recreation if the Ravens come out on high. The Steelers had their probability, they usually flopped—Wilson particularly.
The rematch demanded extra from Wilson than the groups’ first assembly did. Pittsburgh was with out high receiver George Pickens in addition to three starters on protection, and star linebacker T.J. Watt was probably lower than one hundred pc as he performed by way of an ankle damage.
Even with Pickens out, Wilson wanted to shine as a result of the Steelers weren’t going to overwhelm the Ravens on the bottom.
Pittsburgh managed simply 3.6 yards per carry in opposition to Baltimore in Week 11, and although the Steelers averaged 4.9 yards a pop on Saturday, it merely wasn’t sufficient to maintain tempo with a Ravens offense that wore down Pittsburgh’s patchwork protection.
To Wilson’s credit score, he performed aggressively and accomplished a handful of spectacular throws in tight home windows and on the run. He might have slid on his ill-fated scramble, however you must respect the veteran quarterback for welcoming contact and never giving up on the play.
Wilson’s errors on Saturday had been far too expensive. Precisely how deep the affect may go is to be decided.