2. Joe Flacco had a masterful performance:
You’re not going to lose many games when your quarterback completes 66 percent of his passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Credit Joe Flacco for having a masterful showing in Pittsburgh. That may have been the best game against the Steelers he has ever had. The 92 yard drive was dramatic and epic, but this game was perfection. Flacco tossed some dimes down the field to John Brown. This forced the Steelers to respect the deep ball. Flacco then shredded them apart, bit by bit.
The Ravens offense was great at staying on the field and dominating time of possession. The Baltimore offense had 24 first downs, 17 of which were picked up through the air. That’s a big time stat for Flacco. The Ravens controlled the football for 35:03 of the game clock. They had long drives that took control of the game, forced the issue for the Steelers and conserved a lead in the second half. One Flacco mistake could have doomed the Ravens. Flacco never even came close to making a big mistake.
All week the Ravens talked the good talk, about playing at Heinz Field. It has been a cruel place for the Ravens at times. Flacco tamed the Steelers’ crowd and the Steelers themselves in the process. Flacco never let this game get away from the Ravens and when he needed a big throw, he came up with it.