Ravens vs. Steelers score, takeaways: Baltimore holds on with third-string QB; Pittsburgh loses Kenny Pickett

Like most games between the Steelers and Ravens, running and defense determined who won and lost a game between two bitter rivals. The Ravens, despite playing with a third-string quarterback for most of the second half, dominated in both areas and left Pittsburgh with a 16-14 win. 

With the win, Baltimore (9-4) remains in front of Cincinnati for first place in the AFC North. The loss dropped Pittsburgh to 5-8 and on the doorstep of playoff elimination. 

Playing without Lamar Jackson, Baltimore lost backup Tyler Huntley midway through the third quarter. Anthony Brown guided Baltimore's offense the rest of the way while helping end the Ravens' four-game losing streak against the Steelers. Both quarterbacks were aided by a Ravens running game that gashed Pittsburgh for over 200 yards. J.K. Dobbins led the way with 120 yards that included his first quarter touchdown run. His running helped set up three field goals by Justin Tucker, who on Sunday passed Matt Stover as the franchise's all-time leading scorer. 

The Steelers lost their starting quarterback early when rookie Kenny Pickett suffered a concussion after getting sacked by Roquan Smith on the Steelers' first drive. Backup Mitch Trubisky led the Steelers to a touchdown on his first drive but followed that up with three interceptions, two of which came in the red zone. Trubisky tried to lead a late rally, as he completed a touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth with 2:30 left. But Gus Edwards' 6-yard run on third down on Baltimore's ensuing drive sealed the Ravens' first win in Pittsburgh since 2019. 

Here's a closer look at what transpired in Pittsburgh. 

Why the Ravens won 

Credit Baltimore for coming into Pittsburgh and defeating a team that had won three of its last four games. Making the Ravens' win even more impressive was the fact that they played the entire game without  Jackson and most of the second half without backup Huntley, who sustained a concussion. The Ravens welcomed back the return of Dobbins, who averaged 6 yards per carry in his first game in two months.

Why the Steelers lost 

The Steelers' loss was similar to their early-season home losses to the Patriots and Jets. In all three defeats, the Steelers lost low-scoring games after committing costly penalties. On Sunday, they committed three turnovers after not turning the ball over in each of their previous four games. Trubisky went 22 of 30 for 276 yards and a touchdown, but his turnovers were the difference between a win and a loss. He wasn't helped by a running game that churned out just 65 yards on 20 carries. 

Pittsburgh's defense largely played well, but its inability to stop the run was ultimately the final nail in the coffin. In defeat, the Steelers received a gritty effort from Minkah Fitzpatrick, who led both teams with 11 tackles. 

Turning point

Pittsburgh was still the game despite throwing interceptions at the end of the first half and on its second drive of the third quarter. Down 13-7, the Steelers seemed on the verge of making it a 13-10 game before Calais Campbell blocked Chris Boswell's 40-yard field goal attempt with 11:19 left. The Ravens then increased their lead to nine points after driving 57 yards on their ensuing drive. Tucker's third field goal, a 30-yarder with 3:19 left, ultimately proved to be the game-winning score. 

Play of the game 

We've got a tie between Dobbins' 44-yard run and Patrick Queen's diving interception just before the half. Dobbins' long run set up his first quarter touchdown. Smith's pick against his former teammate allowed Baltimore to maintain its 13-7 lead at intermission. 

Quotable 

"I was aggressive, overly aggressive at times and it showed up in the turnovers." -- Trubisky, via ESPN, who also said that he wanted to give the offense a spark following Pickett's injury 

What's next 

Pittsburgh will travel to Carolina for its second-to-last away game of the year. The Steelers will face a Panthers team that has had a trying season that includes the firing of Matt Rhule and the trade of Christian McCaffrey at the deadline. Carolina's roster still includes several talented players, especially on the defensive side. The Panthers defense is led by Brian Burns, linebackers Shaq Thompson and Frankie Luvu and cornerback Jaycee Horn.

Like Pittsburgh, Baltimore will be on the road next week. The Ravens will head to Cleveland for their second game this season against the Browns. Baltimore edged Cleveland back in Week 7 despite being outgained 336-254. Cleveland fell to 5-8 on the year after losing a 23-10 decision in Cincinnati on Sunday. 

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Edwards picks up the first down on a created inside run with Picard leading. That should do it for Baltimore. 

December 11, 2022, 8:45 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 3:45 pm EST
 
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Steelers stuff Edwards' second down carry and call their second timeout, setting up a 3rd and 3 with 2:14 left. Thinking RPO here. 

December 11, 2022, 8:44 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 3:44 pm EST
 
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Here's a look at Trubisky's TD pass to Freiermuth as Pittsburgh calls its second TO with 2:18 left. 

December 11, 2022, 8:43 PM
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Trubisky hits Freiermuth and the Steelers are still alive with 2:30 left. Nice response by Trubisky and the Steelers' offense. Steelers have two timeouts left, so it's conceivable that Pittsburgh gets it back before the two-minute warning. 

December 11, 2022, 8:40 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 3:40 pm EST
 
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Steelers trying to mount a late rally. Trubisky hits Diontae Johnson downfield then gets another 15 yards after a roughing the passer. Trubisky then hits Connor Heyward as the Steelers are in the red zone again. 

December 11, 2022, 8:37 PM
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Tucker's third FG of the day means the Steelers have to score twice in the game's final three minutes. 

December 11, 2022, 8:33 PM
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Big plays by Dobbins and Mark Andrews fives the Ravens the ball in scoring range. A FG here ends the game in all likelihood. 

December 11, 2022, 8:28 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 3:28 pm EST
 
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Kazee unable to pul in what could have been a pick. Steelers have been doing a better job securing their INT opportunities after missing several chances in their Week 7 loss to Miami. 

December 11, 2022, 8:25 PM
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FB Patrick Ricard picks up a first down. The Ravens keep possession with under 10 minutes left in the game. 

December 11, 2022, 8:24 PM
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With Avery Brown still in the game, look for the Ravens to run a lot of RPO. They'll likely lean more on Dobbins and Gus Edwards, who so far have combined to run for 131 yards on 17 carries. 

December 11, 2022, 8:21 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 3:21 pm EST
 
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Calais Campbell blocks Boswell's FG attempt, as another solid Steelers drive ends without points. Tyus Bowser's sack two plays earlier contributed to the Steelers fizzling again near the red zone. 

December 11, 2022, 8:21 PM
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Nice second effort by Jaylen Warren gives the Steelers a first down. Warren recently missed time with an injury but prior to the injury had carved out a niche in the offense while complementing Harris. 

December 11, 2022, 8:15 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 3:15 pm EST
 
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Watt sacks Anthony Brown to force a Ravens punt. Trubisky quickly gets the ball to Pickens as the Steelers on the move again. The Steelers trail 13-7 after a scoreless third quarter. 

December 11, 2022, 8:09 PM
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Here's a look at Marcus Williams' pick of Trubisky on the Steelers' last drive. 

December 11, 2022, 8:04 PM
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Anthony Brown in for the Ravens with Huntley in the locker room. 

December 11, 2022, 8:01 PM
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Ravens will start the drive at their own one after Williams' momentum carried him into the end zone. Despite all the miscues, the Steelers still only trail by one score. 

December 11, 2022, 8:00 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 3:00 pm EST
 
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Trubisky has thrown his third pick of the half. He threw this one deep to Marcus Williams on a go route to Johnson downfield. Trubisky has completed 10 of his last 12 throws, but those two non completions were interceptions. 

December 11, 2022, 7:57 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 2:57 pm EST
 
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Minkah Fitzpatrick drills Huntley and a flag is picked up. Fitzpatrick led with his shoulder. 

Some shoving ensues after the play. Cam Heyward talking with one of the officials now. Ravens punt after a promising opening drive of the half. 

December 11, 2022, 7:49 PM
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Andrews makes his first catch as the Ravens have a first down near midfield. Ravens in control and could essentially put the game away with a TD here. 

December 11, 2022, 7:46 PM
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Dobbins was the key player for the Ravens in the first half with 65 yards on a touchdown that included his 44-yard jaunt. Steelers did a good job in the first half taking away Mark Andrews, who had zero catches on four targets. Robinson, Jackson and Kenyan Drake accounted for each of the Huntley's seven first half completions. 

December 11, 2022, 7:44 PM
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Steelers send out the punting unit despite Trubisky getting the ball past midfield on Trubisky's third down completion. It backfires after Pressley Harvin's punt bounces into the end zone, for a net punt of under 30 yards. 

December 11, 2022, 7:42 PM
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As I write that, Johnson makes a third down catch to move the chains. 

December 11, 2022, 7:39 PM
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It's mind boggling how invisible Diontae Johnson has been not just today but all year. He was a Pro Bowler last year and hasn't scored a TD through 12 and a half games. 

December 11, 2022, 7:38 PM
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Steelers get the ball to start the second half. Given how the first half ended, this is a big drive for the Steelers. 

December 11, 2022, 7:37 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 2:37 pm EST
 
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I typically break down the first half stats, but that's not necessary today. The only stat worth noting is the Steelers being 1 of 3 in the red zone that includes two interceptions. That's the difference in this game through 30 minutes. 

December 11, 2022, 7:33 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 2:33 pm EST
 
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Trubisky throws his second red zone pick of the half. This one to Patrick Queen. Just like the first pick, Trubisky tries to get it to Freiermuth but doesn't see the backside LB. 

December 11, 2022, 7:22 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 2:22 pm EST
 
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Steelers call time with 31 seconds left. Barring a turnover Steelers should at minimum make this is a 13-10 halftime score. For some reason, I have a hunch that Johnson will do something here. He's due to score his first TD of the season. 

December 11, 2022, 7:18 PM
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Great catch by Pickens gives the Steelers the ball in Ravens territory. That's Pickens second big grab over Humphrey. 

December 11, 2022, 7:16 PM
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Ravens threatening to add to their 10-7 lead at the two-minute warning. 

December 11, 2022, 7:07 PM
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A 25-yard completion from Huntley to DeSean Jackson gives the Ravens a first down in Steeles territory. Huntley hasn't thrown much but has had success when he has. 

December 11, 2022, 7:06 PM
Dec. 11, 2022, 2:06 pm EST
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