The Baltimore Ravens were built to run, and that’s exactly what they did to win their first playoff game of the year.
Baltimore combined for 299 rushing yards (it was 300 before the final knee), with Derrick Henry getting the majority, in its 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.
The Steelers’ offense was shutout throughout the first half, punting on each of their four drives. The Ravens were a different story; The first time they had the ball, they went 95 yards down the field and Lamar Jackson found Rashod Bateman for a 15-yard touchdown. In the second quarter, there was another 13-play drive (all runs), and this time, it was Henry who scored.
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Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates with receiver Nelson Agholor (15) and quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter of an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images)
Then, with two seconds left before both teams entered the locker room, Jackson evaded the pressure and found Justice Hill to make the score 21-0 and give the Ravens more than 300 yards of offense. The first-half differential in the first half was 19-2 in favor of Baltimore.
However, the Steelers weren’t dead yet. Despite being pinned at his own 2-yard line, Russell Wilson dropped three dimes on third down to keep the drive alive, the last being a 30-yard touchdown to Van Jefferson to put Pittsburgh on the board in the third. . However, Baltimore responded immediately, as Henry ran for a 44-yard score.
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs to score a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Images by Tommy Gilligan-Imagn)
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Wilson, however, threw another touchdown on a bucket, this one to George Pickens, to make it a two-score game again with 3:24 left in the third.
Although the Ravens’ offense slowed in the second half, Pittsburgh couldn’t do much in the fourth quarter, turning the ball over midway through the quarter in an effort to make the game a one-score, and Pickens’ touchdown would end. being the final result of the game.
In total, there were 186 rushing yards for Henry on 26 carries, two of which reached the end zone. Jackson added 81 rushing yards (while going 16-of-21 for 175 yards passing).
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter of an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images)
Baltimore now awaits its divisional round opponent, but in all likelihood it will be the Buffalo Bills. However, with a surprising loss for Buffalo to the Denver Broncos, they would face the Houston Texans.
