It was a back-and-forth affair for most of the game, but the Ravens sealed the deal late in the game and won in commanding fashion. This wasn’t the collapse like the Eagles game last week, but there were still a lot of sore spots for this team that continues to draw questions about the Steelers. Now on a short week against the Chiefs, things are beginning to look grim.
A win this week would have locked up the AFC North, but now the Steelers need to see Baltimore falter down the stretch while also winning out. Things don’t get easier either, as the Chiefs and Bengals both will give this team fits. Here are the winners and losers from the week 16 loss.
Steelers winners
Calvin Austin
An offensive highlight, Calvin Austin has been solid over the past two weeks. He was the most productive receiver a week ago and continued to shine with some big plays this week. He has really cemented himself as a solid second option in this low-volume offense. He should have had a score today as well but the pass was underthrown.
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Minkah Fitzpatrick has rightfully been critiqued this year for a lack of big plays and making mistakes in coverage. He was sharp this week though, with a couple of key tackles and a big interception that ultimately didn’t translate to anything. He needed a game like this to remind everyone of the player he can be.
Steelers losers:
Run defense
This is a hard one, as with Lamar Jackson being so dynamic on the ground you have to give and take with him. That said, the defense allowed Derrick Henry to dominate this game, and it kept the Ravens in a comfortable spot. Allowing him to rumble for over 160 yards was a killer this week even if Jackson was a nonfactor on the ground.
Russell Wilson
This is a harder grade to give out, as on one hand, Russell Wilson seemed locked in on a lot of his passes. He ends up on the loser list because of his two key turnovers. The fumble cost this team a score early and the pick-six after the Fitzpatrick interception essentially ended this game. The mistakes killed the team this week.