Blown opportunities cost Steelers dearly in loss to Ravens
By Cory Rogers
Blown Opportunity #2: First Quarter, 3:25 Remaining, Steelers trail 3-0
Special teams proved to be a major factor in this game, starting with this play. On the Steelers’ ensuing drive after Tucker’s first field goal, Kenny Pickett was still in the game after getting shaken up the previous series. Pittsburgh went three-and-out, and Pressley Harvin’s punt went just 17 yards to set up the Ravens in good field position at the Steelers’ 48. That led Baltimore to its first touchdown of the game, a two-play drive aided by a 44-yard run, giving the Ravens a 10-0 lead.
Blown Opportunity #3: Second Quarter, 5:47 Remaining, Steelers trail 10-7
After the Steelers defense came up with a huge 4th-and-one stop, this time at the Pittsburgh 34-yard-line, Trubisky again got the offense moving down the field with a drive lasting nearly six minutes. But with the Steelers in field goal range on 2nd-and-eight from the Baltimore 17, Trubisky’s pass intended for Freiermuth was picked off at the 10-yard-line. This cost Pittsburgh at least three points, and resulted in a six-point swing as Tucker capped off the ensuing Ravens’ drive with a 35-yard field goal with 1:06 left in the first half.
Blown Opportunity #4: Second Quarter, 0:26 Remaining, Steelers trail13-7
Credit the Steelers for not sitting on the ball after Tucker’s field goal. They went for points in the final minute of the half and came close, if not for another Trubisky interception. This one occurred after Pittsburgh drove to the Baltimore 23-yard line. Another instance of at least being in field goal range. On first down with one timeout remaining, Trubisky tried to force one over the middle to a double-covered Freiermuth again, only to be intercepted and end the scoring threat.