The Baltimore Ravens surprisingly beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. It was a moment that we will never forget and it was the silver lining of this season. That’s why it seemed fitting to start our 20 Years 20 Moments series with the moment the Ravens conquered their Hienz Field demons.
The Ravens final drive started on the 8 yard line in a 2011 battle with the Steelers. The crowd was chanting and mocking Joe Flacco in his personal house of hell. Little did the Pittsburgh faithful know, Joe would silence them and shift the power to the purple and black.
It felt like another collapse against the Steelers. Baltimore joined in a collective cringe of disbelief, minutes away from a likely defeat. The Ravens were put in a position where they could either flip the script or fall victim to it.
Connecting with his favorite target, Anquan Boldin, Flacco methodically moved Baltimore down the field. On the 13 play drive Flacco threw 5 passes to Boldin. It was obvious that Boldin was the receiver Flacco trusted most.
On the final play of the drive Flacco hit Torrey Smith for the game winning touchdown. Smith toasted William Gay on a go routes. Ryan Clark who was preoccupied with Boldin underneath, failed to get over to Smith. Smith who dropped a would have been touchdown earlier on the drive, redeemed himself and scored one of the most important touchdowns in Ravens history.
The Ravens had claimed power in the division and a season sweep of the Steelers. Joe Flacco and the Ravens would never fear the Steelers again. The momentous win was pure euphoria for Ravens fans who had suffered too many close battles with the black and yellow.
This is the kind of moment that Ravens fans need to remember in this lousy 5 win season. We will continue our 20 moments series every week. Get ready to walk down memory lane, Baltimore!