Ravens down Steelers to set up divisional round matchup with Patriots
Joe Flacco commanded the Baltimore Ravens to a 30-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Saturday's wild-card game.
The Ravens will advance to the divisional round, where they'll square off against the New England Patriots.
Flacco went 18-of-29 for 259 yards and two touchdowns as Baltimore continued its quest for a second Super Bowl championship in three seasons.
Baltimore's defense put in a vintage performance, recording five sacks and holding the Steelers to a paltry 68 yards rushing, with star running back Le'Veon Bell sidelined due to a hyperextended knee. Terrell Suggs recorded a vital interception in the fourth quarter, squashing the Steelers' comeback attempt.
Top Performers
Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens
18-of-29, 259 yards, 2 touchdowns
Flacco continues to thrive in the playoffs, and engineered an efficient game for the Ravens. The seventh-year pro entered the postseason in excellent form and finished the game with an outstanding 114.0 QB rating.
Terrell Suggs, LB, Ravens
6 tackles, 1 pass deflection, 1 interception
Suggs was the top defensive player on the field. He pressured Ben Roethlisberger all evening and was a menace in the run game. Pittsburgh mounted a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, but Suggs sucked the life out of Heinz Field with a spectacular interception.
Turning Point
Steve Smith Sr. made an exceptional catch in the fourth quarter, fending off Steelers cornerback Brice McCain for a 40-yard gain.
The Ravens punched in a touchdown on the same drive, giving Baltimore an insurmountable 20-9 lead.
Must-See Moments
Suggs records interception between his knees
Suggs had an outstanding game for the Ravens, and his overall impact can almost be summarized in one play. With the Steelers driving in hopes of tying the game, Suggs maintained excellent body control to secure an interception with the ball trapped between his knees.
Roethlisberger evades three defenders
Roethlisberger's ability to escape sacks at the last second may end up being his enduring quality. Roethlisberger avoided three Ravens defenders to find Heath Miller for a 30-yard gain.
Up Next
Baltimore will advance to play the top-seeded New England Patriots in the divisional round.
The Ravens and Patriots squared off in the 2011 and 2012 AFC Championship Games, and both teams' cores share a rich playoff history with one another.