Joe Flacco and his eyebrow down Steelers, 23-20


Yes, there is a lot of football left to play, but this was a crushing loss for the Steelers.  After a 26-yard touchdown pass from Flacco to rookie Torrey Smith with 8 seconds remaining in the game, Pittsburgh went from having the best record in the AFC to third place in their four-team division, behind the freaking Bungles.  Oh, by the way, the Steelers travel to Cincinnati next week to play the Bungles, who have won five in a row.


The Steelers, who had won four in a row coming into last night's game, welcomed back James Harrison who sacked Flacco three times (the only Pittsburgh sacks on the night) and forced a fumble to set up the Steelers first lead of the game.  Pittsburgh trailed 16-6 going into the fourth quarter before Rashard Mendenhall scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to cut the margin to 16-13.  Harrison's forced fumble gave Pittsburgh the ball back at their 42-yard line.


Big Ben, who became the only Steelers quarterback ever to throw for over 300 yards for three consecutive games, hit Mike Wallace on a 25-yard scoring strike with 4:59 to go and gave Pittsburgh a 20-16 lead.


The crowd at Heinz Field and across Steeler Nation came to life and enjoyed a gratuitous rendition of Styx' Renegade when Pittsburgh forced a three-and-out on Baltimore and took possession of the ball with a chance to run the clock out and win the game.  However, the Steelers couldn't convert a third-and-five from the Ravens 29 yard line with 2:34 remaining.  And then, an inexplicable delay of game call moved the Steelers back five yards forcing Pittsburgh to punt rather than risk a Shawn Suisham field goal miss.


A Kapinos punt put Baltimore back on their own 8 yard line with only one time out remaining.  Flacco then promptly moved the haters 92 yards on 13 plays to win the game, as the Steeler defense could no longer pressure Flacco, and couldn't get off the field.  For the game, the Ravens converted 14 of 21 third downs, and at one point, Flacco completed 12 of 14 passes on third down.  The Steelers couldn't make a play when they most needed to on defense, especially a turnover.  Pittsburgh only had three turnovers through 8 games this season, which is the lowest in NFL history.


The East Coast Media will no doubt be ready to crown Flacco as one the "elite" quarterbacks in the league.  Not to take anything away from his performance tonight, but do it against Pittsburgh in the postseason, and then I'll be impressed.  Flacco is 0-2 against the Steelers in the playoffs, and the Ravens are 0-3.  So, keep hate alive Baltimore.


AFC NORTH STANDINGS
Team         Overall Record       Division Record
Haters          6-2                   2-0
Bungles         6-2                   1-0
Steelers        6-3                   0-2
Brownie Elves   3-5                   0-1


Next week Pittsburgh (6-3) plays at Cincy (6-2) while Baltimore (6-2) travels to Seattle (2-6).  The following week is bye week for the Steelers, as Cincy will play at Baltimore. The AFC North will take shape in the next coupe of weeks.