Ravens Top 20 #10: Ravens exorcise demons in Pittsburgh

The Ravens were not favored to win the Wild Card game versus the Steelers.

Sure, Le'Veon Bell was out, but the Ravens hobbled into the playoffs with their right tackle on IR and their left tackle was unavailable which forced them to start two rookies. They were also starting a special teams safety and a corner they poached off of another teams' practice squad in the secondary. Not to mention they needed help from the Chiefs to make it to the playoffs. Even worse was the fact that the Ravens were never able to win at Pittsburgh in the postseason.

Many people predicted that Le'Veon could take the week off for Denver.

After the end of the first half, the Ravens led the Steelers 10-9. The Ravens held the Steelers to only three field goals, but the offense was mediocre. The Ravens couldn't muster a rushing attack outside of a five yard touchdown from Bernard Pierce and the Ravens had the ball for less than 10 minutes in the first half while the Steelers had the ball for almost 20.

Then came the second half and Joe Flacco came alive. He was efficient, spreading the ball around to multiple pass catchers and was able to make plays with his legs. Joe Flacco hit Torrey Smith and Crockett Gillmore for touchdowns and Justin Tucker kicked two field goals.

The defense hardened up as well. The Ravens pass rushers would harass Roethlisberger all day, Terrell Suggs would intercept a pass with his legs, Courtney Upshaw would knock out Ben Roethlisberger, who would return to throw another interception to Darian Stewart four plays later.

The Ravens wouldn't go on to win the Super Bowl, but they got rid of one of the "can't do's" that people have held over their heads.