Blown opportunities cost Steelers dearly in loss to Ravens
By Cory Rogers
Blown Opportunities #5-6-7: Third Quarter, Starting with 3:12 Remaining, Steelers trail 13-7
On the seventh play of a potential go-ahead drive, the Steelers had some momentum. Trubisky had completed four consecutive passes for 10 yards or more and Pittsburgh had crossed into Baltimore territory. But on first down from the Ravens’ 46, Trubisky tried to go for it all with a long pass down the left sideline intended for Diontae Johnson that was picked off near the end zone.
After officials ruled that the Ravens would take possession at their own one, third-string quarterback Anthony Brown had to come in for Baltimore due to starter Tyler Huntley going down. What do the Ravens do on first down? Run, right? Nope. They had their undrafted rookie, just called up from the practice squad and taking his first NFL snap, throw out of his own end zone in a one-possession game. The pass was complete and gave the Ravens some breathing room.
Later in this drive, Kenyon Drake fumbled on a one-yard run and T.J. Watt narrowly missed the recovery, which would have set up the Steelers at the Baltimore 15.
Blown Opportunity #8: Fourth Quarter, 11:19 Remaining, Steelers trail 13-7
Pittsburgh still had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter. Rookie running back Jaylen Warren had given the Steelers some momentum on this drive with a 14-yard catch and run on 3rd-and-nine, an eight-yard run that had 15 yards added to it after a Ravens penalty, and a two-yard reception on consecutive plays. But a sack and a Trubisky incompletion meant the Steelers would have to settle for a Chris Boswell 40-yard field goal attempt. Unfortunately, it was blocked, leaving another three points off the board for Pittsburgh.