Ravens Advance to Divisional Round with Victory Over Steelers
In a commanding performance, the Baltimore Ravens secured a 28-14 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers during their Wild Card playoff matchup on Saturday night. The Ravens' strong start set the tone for the game as they took a 21-0 lead into halftime, leaving the Steelers unable to recover from the significant deficit in the second half.
Derrick Henry was a standout for Baltimore, showcasing his skills as the leading rusher in the AFC. He accumulated an impressive 186 yards and scored two touchdowns on 26 carries. Henry's performance included a notable 44-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, exemplifying his power and agility on the field. His ability to break tackles and maintain control of the ball was evident, particularly when he executed a stiff arm against Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson also delivered a stellar performance, completing 16 of 21 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns without any turnovers. His completion percentage of 76.1 marked a playoff career high. In addition to his passing success, Jackson contributed significantly on the ground with 81 rushing yards on 15 attempts. The pair of Jackson and Henry proved formidable in the first half, combining for 164 rushing yards on 24 carries. The Ravens' defense played a critical role as well, sacking Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson four times and limiting the Steelers to just 11 first downs. Following this win, the Ravens will advance to the divisional round for the second consecutive season, poised to face either the Buffalo Bills or the Houston Texans, contingent on the outcome of the Bills-Denver Broncos game.