The fanbase in Pittsburgh came into Steelers-Ravens week with a mixture of emotions, reeling off of last week's humiliating defeat to the Houston Texans. With the defense looking bad, the offense looking ugly and none of the operation looking good, there was a heightened feeling that the Steelers may be limping into next week's BYE Week after another humiliating loss.
Somehow, someway, and as ugly as possible, the Steelers are atop the AFC North after a stunning win over the hated, and much-respected Ravens.
Offensively, the Steelers were slow out of the gate but improved drastically from last week. Kenny Pickett was still inconsistent but showed that he has a clutch gene in his second consecutive matchup with Baltimore.
Defensively, the Steelers were shaky in some spots, but dominant in others. Making splash plays and saving the scoreboard late, the defense played a massive part in the victory. They were assisted by inconsistencies in the Ravens' passing offense, particularly with drops on would-be touchdowns.
Special teams were key, as Chris Boswell remains perfect on the season, Brad Wing is flipping field position adequately and a blocked punt for a safety never hurts. Not everything can be squeaky clean in the Iron City though, as a late fumble nearly cost the Steelers the game entirely.
For the first time in a while, the Steelers displayed enough good to have a decision to make in this article, but there is of course enough bad and ugly to get cleaned up with the week off.