SB Nation Pittsburgh - Steelers vs. Ravens: Batch leads Steelers to comeback winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2012-12-03T18:06:19-05:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/34830332012-12-03T18:06:19-05:002012-12-03T18:06:19-05:00Steelers' Ike Taylor joins injury list
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<p>Injuries are nothing new to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> this season, but just as they were beginning to get key players back on the field, they lost another starter for significant time.</p>
<p>Cornerback <span>Ike Taylor</span> injured his right fibula against the Raven's on Sunday and will likely <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2012/12/3/3721728/ike-taylor-injury-out-steelers" target="_blank">be out of action between three and six weeks. </a>Taylor suffered the injury during the first quarter against Baltimore. With four regular season games remaining, Taylor could miss the rest of the regular season. He would likely be able to return during the playoffs if Pittsburgh qualified and advanced.</p>
<p>While losing Taylor is a big blow, the Steelers did get some good injury news this week. Both <span>Antonio Brown</span> and <span>Troy Polamalu</span> returned to the field this week and neither player suffered a setback. Polamalu played limited snaps, easing back into action after missing seven games.</p>
<p>Quarterback <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> could possibly return this week against San Diego, but his status won't be known <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/source-big-ben-absolutely-not-ok-to-play-664721/#ixzz2E02NVudf" target="_blank">until later in the week.</a></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/3/3724188/nfl-injury-report-steelers-week-13Mark Sandritter2012-12-03T13:03:53-05:002012-12-03T13:03:53-05:00Reaction as Batch bounces back to earn victory
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<p>Reaction from the Steelers' 23-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens and a look at the players who led Pittsburgh to the victory.</p> <p>For the second time in three weeks, the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> and <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a> fought out a game decided by just a field goal. On Sunday, however, the Steelers came away with the win they had not been able to get in Week 11.</p>
<p>With <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> still out of the lineup injured, veteran quarterback <span>Charlie Batch</span> led the Steelers to a 23-20 victory in a strong second half. In his <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/12/3/3721272/winners-and-losers-steelers-ravens-week-13-charlie-batch-shaun-suisham" target="_blank">postgame piece on winners and losers from the win, Neal Coolong from SB Nation's Behind the Steel Curtain wrote:</a></p>
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<p>Batch was the paradigm of resilience, fending off a self-described poor game in Week 12, and even a poor first half against Baltimore, giving the Steelers an edge in a game where they dominated the Ravens over the final half.</p>
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<p>Coolong also hailed the defensive play of linebacker <span>James Harrison</span>, saying:</p>
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<p>Baltimore did an excellent job with Harrison after the veteran smoked the Ravens several times in their first meeting this season. Harrison did, however, come up with yet another game-altering play against the Ravens, notching his first forced fumble since, perhaps not coincidentally, Pittsburgh's Week 9 game against Baltimore in 2011. He now has three consecutive games with a sack.</p>
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<p>You can read Neal's full list of winners and losers from the divisional victory <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2012/12/3/3721272/winners-and-losers-steelers-ravens-week-13-charlie-batch-shaun-suisham" target="_blank">here.</a> Also be sure to check out Behind the Steel Curtain's postgame recap video below.</p>
<p><i>For everything on the Steelers stick with </i><a target="_blank" href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Pittsburgh</a><i> and check out more coverage at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Behind the Steel Curtain.</a></i></p>
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https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2012/12/3/3722744/ravens-vs-steelers-week-13John.Wilkinson2012-12-03T09:08:41-05:002012-12-03T09:08:41-05:00Boldin calls out officials
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<p>In a game between the best rivals in football on Sunday, the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> prevailed, 23-20, over the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Ravens</a>.</p>
<p>After the contest, Ravens' star receiver <span>Anquan Boldin</span> wasn't happy with the officiating, saying he felt the calls weren't going both ways. <a href="http://triblive.com/sports/3061114-85/boldin-ravens-steelers-guy-interference-pass-career-hampton-hold-leach#axzz2DulcFqgw">According to triblive.com</a>, Boldin thought Pittsburgh's corners were getting away with overly physical play, while he was whistled for the same infractions.</p>
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<p>"They were making bad calls all night, "Boldin said about the referees. "I know they don’t want me to say it, but this is what it was: You can’t allow a guy to hold and when a receiver breaks free, call a pass interference. You can’t have it both ways."</p>
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<p>"If you are going to allow us to play football, let us play football," said Boldin. "If guys want to hold, I know how to get a guy off me. You can’t let a guy hold somebody and complain about a guy throwing somebody off when he is trying to get out of a route."</p>
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<p>Boldin has a history of playing a very tough, physical style of football as a bigger receiver, but doesn't usually illicit penalties.</p>
<p>It had to be a frustrating day for Boldin, despite his personal success of 81 yards and a touchdown. Baltimore was expected to beat a very banged-up Steelers team at home, only to succumb to <span>Charlie Batch</span> and company.</p>
<p>The win for Pittsburgh was a much bigger deal for them than the loss is for the Ravens. With the victory, the Steelers stay ahead of the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bengals</a>, if only by a tiebreaker for the sixth and final AFC playoff seed.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/3/3721546/steelers-vs-ravens-anquan-boldinMatt Verderame2012-12-03T08:02:32-05:002012-12-03T08:02:32-05:00Steelers vs. Ravens: Thoughts on a huge win
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<p>Charlie Batch and the Steelers mounted an improbable comeback to defeat the Baltimore Ravens. </p> <p>Wow. That's pretty much all that needs to be said after this win. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> looked out of it for much of the game, but managed to keep the score close. Watching this game, I felt the Steelers had no chance of scoring two touchdowns, let alone win the game. But I was proven wrong. And I'm happy to be wrong. Here are some quick thoughts:</p>
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<span>Charlie Batch</span> will be remembered for this win. Let's face it, he was awful for most of the contest. When he overthrew <span>Mike Wallace</span> in the endzone, I cursed at the TV and nearly turned the game off. But Chuck rallied the troops and made the plays necessary to win. His emotion in the huddle on the final drive and his embrace of <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> after the final whistle show just how much it meant to the veteran. </li>
<li>The defense put in another solid performance. Turnovers and three-and-outs presented some tough situations for the Steelers defense, but they created huge plays to turn the game on its head. <span>James Harrison</span> displayed a vintage move Steelers fans have been missing all year when he stripped <span>Joe Flacco</span>. Keenan Lewis and <span>Cortez Allen</span> played so well they probably deserve their own bullet point. After coming in for injured <span>Ike Taylor</span> and struggling early, Allen rebounded nicely. Lewis continues to be a revelation this season.</li>
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<span>Shaun Suisham</span> is money. Anyone remember <span>Jeff Reed</span>? No? Neither do I.</li>
<li>The play of the offensive line should also get some credit. Batch had time to throw, especially in the fourth quarter. Batch looked skittish at times, but the line allowed him <i>just </i>enough time to find an open receiver. </li>
<li>The fake bubble screen pass and throw to <span>Heath Miller</span> is an awesome play. Kudos, Mr. Haley.</li>
<li>How are the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a> a nine-win team? I'm sorry, but they just do not impress me. Neither does Joe Flacco.</li>
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<span>Ray Rice</span> needed to touch the ball more. If the Steelers manage to face the Ravens in the playoffs, expect that to happen. I noticed that the Steelers eventually started to spy Rice with a middle linebacker. This negated Rice's impact out of the backfield, where he is quite dangerous.</li>
<li>The Steelers are alive for another week. The win is huge, but the Steelers really need to close well to preserve their playoff spot. Get in the playoffs, make sure Ben is healthy, and anything can happen. </li>
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<div>Next week the Steelers have the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a> at home. They need to take care of business. A loss will negate all the momentum gained this week.</div>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/3/3720036/steelers-ravens-charlie-batch-reactionPat O'Mahony2012-12-02T19:41:59-05:002012-12-02T19:41:59-05:00Batch, Steelers come away with huge 23-20 win
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<p>Charlie Batch and the Steelers came away with an unexpected 23-20 win over the Ravens Sunday evening.</p> <p>It wasn't always pretty, but the Steelers left Baltimore with a huge 23-20 win over the Ravens Sunday evening.</p>
<p>The win keeps the Steelers in position to make the playoffs as a Wild Card team. (The Bengals also won, but the Steelers' remaining schedule and October 21 win over Cincinnati should give them the edge on a Wild Card spot.)</p>
<p>The Steelers ended the third quarter down 20-13, thanks in part to an ugly fumble by Emmanuel Sanders with miles of open field in front of him. It didn't get any better early in the fourth quarter, either, as Ed Reed picked off Charlie Batch in the Steelers' first possession.</p>
<p>Three plays later, though, James Harrison forced a fumble by Joe Flacco, and Ziggy Hood recovered it at the Ravens' 27. That set up a seven-yard touchdown pass from Batch to Heath Miller, as Miller dove near the pylon and managed to reach the ball to the goal line.</p>
<p>The defense forced a Ravens punt, giving the Steelers the ball back with 6:14 to play. Batch, the Steelers' third-string quarterback, stepped up, completing a series of short passes. He also got help from a huge roughing the passer penalty on Paul Kruger. That put the Steelers in field-goal range. They were able to run a few more plays after that, but called them very conservatively, knowing how reliable Shaun Suisham has been this season. And sure enough, Suisham came on and kicked a 42-yarder as time expired.</p>
<p>It was a typically strong performance by the Steelers defense, but Suisham (who played an important tactical role in this one while kicking three field goals of 40-plus yards) and some other less-heralded players deserve credit. The offensive line generally did a great job protecting Batch, and Batch himself was much better than expected, particularly in the second half. Batch finished 25-of-36 for 276 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also made a crucial, hustling block on an impressive touchdown run by Jonathan Dwyer in the third quarter. Miller also had a big game, catching five passes for 97 yards and a score.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/2/3719662/ravens-vs-steelers-final-score-charlie-batch-shaun-suishamCharlie Wilmoth2012-12-02T18:53:25-05:002012-12-02T18:53:25-05:00Steelers still down after 3rd quarter, 20-13
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<p>Despite a touchdown by Jonathan Dwyer, the Ravens lead by seven at the end of the third quarter, 20-13.</p>
<p>The Steelers moved downfield early in the third quarter and tied the game 13-13 on Dwyer's 16-yard run, which came thanks in part to a great hustling block by quarterback Charlie Batch.</p>
<p>After forcing the Ravens to punt, it looked like the Steelers might grab the lead as Batch found Emmanuel Sanders at midfield wide open and with a clear path to the end zone. But Sanders inexplicably fumbled the ball, giving the Ravens the ball at their own 37. On the ensuing drive, Ray Rice rushed for a 34-yard touchdown.</p>
<p>After the Steelers got the ball back, Batch completed another long pass, this time to Antonio Brown, but the Steelers were eventually forced to punt. Sanders was injured on the drive, although he returned early in the fourth quarter. The Ravens had the ball at the end of the third quarter, and the Steelers will need to make up ground in the fourth.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/2/3719500/steelers-vs-ravens-2012-score-update-jonathan-dwyerCharlie Wilmoth2012-12-02T17:50:56-05:002012-12-02T17:50:56-05:00Steelers fall behind 13-6 in rough second quarter
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<p>The Steelers offense stumbled through the second quarter, and the Ravens were able to take advantage, heading to the locker room with a 13-6 lead.</p>
<p>The Steelers had a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, but the Ravens were driving at the time, and they concluded that drive early in the second quarter with a game-tying 45-yard field goal.</p>
<p>With Ike Taylor out with an ankle injury, the Ravens repeatedly attempted to exploit the matchup of Torrey Smith and young cornerback Cortez Allen. That nearly backfired when Allen almost picked off a pass in the Ravens' second drive of the quarter, but a few plays later, Allen got called for a big pass interference penalty in the red zone. That led to a 23-yard field goal to give the Ravens a 6-3 lead.</p>
<p>The Steelers, meanwhile, struggled to get anything going offensively -- their offense got the job done in the first quarter, but in the second quarter it looked like it has typically looked since losing Ben Roethlisberger to injury.</p>
<p>Near the middle of the quarter, Ryan Clark put the Steelers in good position by picking off a Joe Flacco pass near midfield, but the Steelers quickly gave that back with an interception of their own. Charlie Batch handed the ball off to Antonio Brown on a reverse, and Brown attempted to pass across the field to Jonathan Dwyer. It wasn't a terrible attempt, but Corey Graham showed great awareness in picking it off. A few plays later, Joe Flacco completed two straight long passes to Anquan Boldin, the second of which went for a 28-yard touchdown that gave the Ravens a 13-3 advantage.</p>
<p>Near the end of the quarter, Batch tried to connect with Mike Wallace on a couple deep balls, which might have worked out a lot better -- on one, Batch threw a perfect strike to Wallace, but Wallace simply dropped it completely. On another, a breakdown in the Ravens defense left Wallace wide open in the end zone, but Batch threw it well over his head. Shaun Suisham did kick a field goal with less than a minute left in the half to make it 13-6.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/2/3719136/steelers-vs-ravens-score-update-2012Charlie Wilmoth2012-12-02T17:06:06-05:002012-12-02T17:06:06-05:00Steelers, Ravens tied early in 2nd quarter
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<p>The Ravens are driving at the end of the first quarter against Baltimore, but the Steelers are clinging to a 3-0 lead in what was, overall, a promising quarter for Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Charlie Batch, looking considerably sharper than he did last week in a loss to the Browns, and new starting running back Jonathan Dwyer led a first-quarter drive that resulted in a perfect 46-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham. (And let's give it up for Suisham, by the way -- he's now 22-for-23 this season.) Meanwhile, the Steelers defense shut down Joe Flacco and the Ravens.</p>
<p>Batch went 5-of-8 for 30 yards in the first quarter. Dwyer had five runs for 25 yards. Flacco had gone 8-of-14 with 62 yards, as of early in the second quarter.</p>
<p>Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter. Cortez Allen replaced him.</p>
<p>UPDATE: As I finish writing, the Ravens kicked a field goal to tie the game early in the second quarter.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2012/12/2/3719002/steelers-vs-ravens-score-ike-taylor-charlie-batchCharlie Wilmoth