Ays News
January 07, 2024 11:10am
Sunday
Najee Harris rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, while Mason Rudolph connected with Diontae Johnson on a touchdown on the opening play of the fourth quarter, as the Steelers edged the Ravens, 17-10, here at M&T Bank Stadium.
Star outside linebacker T.J. Watt suffered a knee injury late in the third quarter while chasing Baltimore quarterback Tyler Huntley and did not return. Watt finished the game with seven tackles, three of which were for a loss, two sacks and two quarterback hits.
"T.J. is being evaluated for a knee injury," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "I'll have more information the next time we get together. Obviously, we're disappointed with that. But there are challenges in football. ... We'll deal with it, whatever it may be."
The Steelers knew going into the game none of that would matter unless they first took care of business themselves. And they did that much the same way they handled things against the Seattle Seahawks – with their running game.
The Ravens fumbled on their next possession, as Mark Robinson stripped running back Melvin Gordon of the ball, with Larry Ogunjobi recovering at the Baltimore 45. But the Steelers gave it right back, as Jaylen Warren fumbled at the end of a short catch at the Baltimore 33 with the Ravens recovering.
The Steelers got the ball back at their own 40 after a heads up play by return man Godwin Igwebuike, who established himself out of bounds before touching the squibbed kickoff, but the Steelers were unable to take advantage of the field position before the half.
The Steelers got another three-and-out to open the second half, and Harris broke off a 15-yard run on the first play from scrimmage after a punt to put the ball in Baltimore territory again. But the Steelers again moved backward from there, with Rudolph being unable to handle a shotgun snap on third down, and simply falling on the ball.