Baltimore Ravens look like contenders in statement win over Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens sent a statement with their 26-14 win over Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Baltimore Ravens handed the Pittsburgh Steelers their second loss of the season. While the Steelers 1-2-1 record is something Baltimore can rejoice about, tonight is all about the purple and black. Baltimore won the game 26-14. For the second week in a row, the Ravens shut their opponent out in the second half.

The Baltimore Ravens mean business. They really dominated three quarters of football. If Alex Collins didn’t fumble near the goal line the Ravens would have had an early 21-3 lead. The fumble gave the Steelers life and they came back. However the Steelers were held mostly in check even when they had momentum. The Ravens forced two field goals after two long Steelers drives.

Baltimore’s offense couldn’t be stopped by anything but Baltimore’s offense. The Ravens had just over 450 yards offensively. Flacco chipped in 363 yards on what was his most flawless performance at Heinz Field. John Brown was a huge factor in this game. He only recorded three receptions but they equaled 113 yards and a touchdown. Willie Snead made some big plays in the game as well.

Defensively the Ravens made their biggest statement. The Steelers had one quarter of fun. You had one quarter of a raucous stadium, with all the Terrible Towels in full force. You know what else you saw? Empty yellow seats as the Ravens were sealing up the victory. Baltimore had an answer for the Steelers high octane offense. The Steelers got the ball down two scores with three and a half minutes left to go. Ben Roethlisberger was picked off. There was no nerve inducing drive. The Ravens put an end to it immediately.

The Ravens are now 3-1 and they are about to get even better. Hayden Hurst is getting close to getting back for the offense. Jimmy Smith returns to the action next week against the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens got through the first quarter of the season without him, and they did it in impressive fashion. Now Baltimore is going to add a top 10 cornerback talent to their defense.

The Ravens haven’t won in Pittsburgh since 2015. It’s actually been a while since the Ravens had this kind of victory, a commanding win that feels like the start of something big. Baltimore is feeling it. If they rattle off some wins, the playoffs become more and more of a conversation. The Ravens didn’t just look like a playoff team, they looked like a Super Bowl contender.

This was a huge win for the Ravens. Hype it up to whatever level you want, just make sure you give the Ravens their due. This is a team that looks reinvigorated and refocused. I guess there’s nothing left to say but “How ’bout those Ravens”