I’m not sure the Ravens-Steelers game Sunday could be classified as well played. Generally, these games really aren’t.
Entertaining? Absolutely. Well played? Not necessarily, but that doesn’t matter because these games are so fun to watch.
I’ve said it before, and it is worth repeating: The Steelers versus the Ravens is the best rivalry in the NFL. And there is not a close second, to be honest. That’s honestly why these games are always so brilliant, regardless of who the players are and what is on the line.
You can take Bears-Packers, Cowboys-Redskins, Dolphins-Bills, whatever rivalry games you want, and move them all to the back of the line — because none of them come close to what the Ravens and Steelers produce almost every time they play.
Sunday, a heart-stopping 20-19 win by the Steelers, was no exception to that, either. In fact, it’s yet another instant classic to add to the long list of memorable games between these two teams. It went down to the final seconds, like most of these games do. And in this case, it was a play not made that will be remembered as opposed to a play made.
Remember the time Santonio Holmes made an incredible grab and stretch into the end zone to win a game? Antonio Brown did the same thing a few years later. Remember T. J. Houshmandzadeh catching a long touchdown pass late to steal a win?
And of course, there is the Troy Polamalu pick-six of Joe Flacco that sent the Steelers to the Super Bowl. That may be the most famous play of this series.
Mike Tomlin said that although it wasn’t the most high-level football game ever played Sunday, it was something special because the Ravens and Steelers is a rivalry based as much in respect as it is competitiveness.
And he said the fans at Heinz Field were not only treated to an entertaining game. They provided, as always when these two teams collide, the perfect backdrop for it.
“I’m appreciative of the atmosphere that Steelers nation provided and working in the comforts of Heinz Field,” Tomlin said. “I’m appreciative of the Ravens, man. It takes two to tango, and they bring the best out of us. Those games are always like that.
“I don’t think anybody who has looked at them over the last 15 years or so is surprised by what transpired in terms of how the game was played.”
This one won’t be remembered for a heroic play that was necessarily made but a gutsy call by Ravens coach John Harbaugh. The Ravens scored with 12 seconds to play to pull to within one point at 20-19. He could have opted to have Justin Tucker kick the extra point and send it to overtime, but instead he decided to go for two and the win.
Lamar Jackson dropped back and had Mark Andrews wide open for an easy walk-in score — but he just missed the throw, and the ball fell harmlessly to the ground. There was a little pressure from T.J. Watt on the play, but it should have been an easy throw and catch. Jackson just missed the throw.
Heinz Field erupted with cheers and a huge sigh of relief, but as Ben Roethlisberger explained to CBS after the game, the Steelers knew the game would come down to the end — because it always does.
“This is what this game is supposed to be, and this what this game always is,” Roethlisberger said. “And this is why this game is so much fun, this rivalry is what it is, and I am so proud of the guys and the way they stepped up.”
Harbaugh said he went for two in that spot because he thought it was their best chance to win the game. He said their secondary was banged up, having lost a few cornerbacks, and he thought they would have a tough time stopping the Steelers in overtime as a result.
And like Tomlin, Harbaugh tipped his cap to the Steelers and the rivalry and added: “I have a lot of respect for them and what they do.”
It is a decision and a play that will be talked about for years to come, mostly because it came in this game between these two teams. I didn’t love the decision, but I didn’t hate it either. A dynamic runner like Jackson is dangerous inside the 5-yard line. But what I did like about it is that it added to the history of this rivalry and provided yet another iconic play from it.
Tomlin said the game was destined to play out the way it did regardless of what happened in the first 58 minutes, because that’s the way this rivalry has been built. And he said both teams bring out the best in each other and both understand the history of the rivalry, and that’s why they are so competitive.
“The competitiveness [is what each team brings out in the other],” Tomlin said. “Whether we like or not, I am talking about us and the Ravens, we are tied together. There have been some significant games, the men who have played in these games, the standard that they hold these current players to. ...
“Guys like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed and others, guys on this side like Alan Faneca and Troy Polamalu, those gold-jacket types, we’ve had an opportunity to win for 15 years or so that set a standard in this series that we all have to play to and uphold.”
This game Sunday certainly upheld those standards in terms of how hard both teams competed. Sure, there have been games with a lot more on the line with this one — but that never matters, because there is just something special that happens when the Ravens and Steelers play each other.
Paul Zeise: pzeise@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1720.
First Published: December 6, 2021, 11:00 a.m.
Updated: December 6, 2021, 11:03 a.m.
