NFL Wild Card Weekend Results: Baltimore Ravens 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 17

The Baltimore Ravens never had a playoff win over the Steelers in Pittsburgh in their franchise’s history. They got the first one on Saturday led by Joe Flacco, who finished with 259 passing yards on 19-of-28 completions with two touchdowns and Steve Smith Sr., who ended up with 101 receiving yards on 5 catches in beating the Steelers, 30-17.

Torrey Smith and Crockett Gilmore had a receiving TD each and the receiving crew made up for a subpar performance by the Ravens on the ground. Justin Forsett was limited to 36 rushing yards and Baltimore only had a total of 49 for the entire game but the Baltimore wide receivers did more than enough to help the Ravens notch the wild card game victory.

The Steelers were led by veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who had 334 passing yards on 31-of-45 throws but had two interceptions both coming in the crucial fourth quarter. Pittsburgh was playing without Le'Veon Bell, who suffered a hyperextended knee last week, the NFL’s second leading rusher. Baltimore won the game despite playing on the road and the underdogs in this wild card match-up.

"I didn't play well enough. I didn't play well enough to win and guys look at me as the leader and the quarterback to make plays and do what it takes to win the football game, and I don't believe I did that today,” The 32-year-old Roethlisberger admitted postgame on ESPN.com. Antonio Brownhad 117 receiving yards on 9 receptions for Pittsburgh.

The first half was a close one with Baltimore scoring on a field goal and a touchdown while Pittsburgh had three field goals as the road team carried a 10-9 lead at halftime break. The third quarter was dominated by the Ravens as they shut down the Ravens while scoring twice once again, a FG and TD, for a 20-9 lead before the final quarter. The Baltimore Ravens will face the New England Patriots in the AFC divisional round of the NFL Postseason.

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