RAVENS 21, STEELERS 14

Steelers' record: 4-4
One year ago: 4-4
Series record (including playoffs): Steelers lead, 24-21

STORYLINE

The Steelers arrived here having lost two straight this season, having lost three straight overall to the Ravens, having lost three straight to the Ravens in Baltimore, and needing to snap all of those streaks to put their season back on track.

"We turned the ball over some," said Coach Mike Tomlin about the recent losing to the Ravens. "In particular, the games that have been in Baltimore there has been a splash turnover or two that have been significant in terms of the outcome of the game. In all instances, I felt that we had run out of time as opposed to got beat, but that's what happens when you turn the ball over."

In the two losses to Baltimore last season, the Steelers had no turnovers in the first meeting – on Oct. 1 at Heinz Field – but ended up dropping a 23-20 decision in overtime when Josh Scobee missed two field goals. In the loss in Baltimore, the Steelers were minus-three in turnover ratio, and the Ravens converted their two interceptions into 10 points in a game that ended 20-17.

"What happens after turnovers is going to decide this game," said Tomlin, "and usually that's the case when you're involved in close ballgames with good people. A case in point: we had two takeaways against New England, and we didn't get anything out of them. We were in the red zone. We threw an interception in the end zone after one takeaway. We didn't get anything after the fumble recovery that our punt team produced. You have to produce points off takeaways, whether the takeaways themselves are returned for points, or you get an opportunity to produce points. Likewise on the other side of the ball, if we turn the ball over, what our defense does in reaction to that is going to be pivotal in terms of determining the outcome of this game. The possessions after turnovers are going to be significant."

HOW THE STORYLINE PLAYED OUT
Each team turned the ball over once on an interception. Following Artie Burns' first career interception late in the first period, the Steelers managed one first down before being forced to punt. The Ravens took their interception and turned it into a 42-yard field goal even though their offense wasn't able to record a first down on the possession.

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FIRST HALF STAT THAT STANDS OUT I**
The Steelers had committed 10 penalties for 84 yards and had run 24 offensive plays for 66 yards. The Steelers had just two first downs, were 0-for-7 on third downs, and Ben Roethlisberger had completed as many passes – 7 – as Jordan Berry had punts.

FIRST HALF STAT THAT STANDS OUT II
The teams combined for 16 penalties for 143 yards, they were a combined 2-for-16 on third downs (12.5 percent), and there were 11 punts. Not exactly must-see-TV.

TURNING POINT
Disasters on special teams typically happen to the team that ends up losing the game, and that's exactly what happened to the Steelers here today. With the defense playing well enough to limit the Ravens to one offensive touchdown and an 0-for-1 performance in the red zone, the Steelers lined up to attempt their 10th punt of the game with 13:44 remaining in the fourth quarter of a game they were losing, 13-0.

Javorius Allen came in clean to block Jordan Berry's punt, and Chris Moore scooped up the bouncing ball and turned it into a 14-yard touchdown. When Joe Flacco converted the 2-point conversion attempt with a pass to Steve Smith, the Ravens had extended their lead from two scores to three scores, 21-0.