The Baltimore Ravens were built to run, and that’s exactly what they did to win their first playoff game of the year.
Baltimore combined for 299 yards on the ground (they were at 300 before the last kneel), with Derrick Henry getting the majority, in their 28-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.
The Steelers offense was blanked throughout the first half, scoring on each of their four drives. The ravens were a different story; on their first possession, they drove 95 yards down the field and Lamar Jackson found Rashod Bateman for a 15-yard touchdown. In the second quarter, it was another 13-play drive (all runs), and this time it was Henry who capped it off.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates with wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) and quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter of an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Mitch Stringer-Imagn Photos)
Then, with two seconds left until both teams went into the locker room, Jackson avoided the pressure and found Justice Hill to make it 21-0 and give the Ravens over 300 yards of offense. The first half margin in the first half was 19-2 in favor of Baltimore.
The Steelers weren’t dead yet, though. Despite being pinned at their own 2-yard line, Russell Wilson dropped three third-down dimes to keep the drive alive, the last a 30-yard touchdown to Van Jefferson to get Pittsburgh on the board in the third. Baltimore answered right back, however, when Henry ran for a 44-yard score.
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter of an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Photos)
GIANTS LEGEND VICTOR CRUZ SPEAKS STATE OF TEAM AFTER IT RETAINS COACH, GENERAL MANAGER DESPITE AWFUL SEASON
However, Wilson threw another touchdown in a bucket, this one to George Pickens, to once again make it a two-score game with 3:24 left in the third.
Although the Ravens’ offense slowed in the second half, Pittsburgh was unable to do much in the fourth quarter, turning the ball over on downs midway through the quarter in an attempt to make it a one-score game, and Pickens’ touchdown would win . as the final result of the match.
Henry totaled 186 yards on the ground on 26 carries, two of which found the end zone. Jackson added 81 rushing yards (while also going 16-for-21 for 175 yards through the air).
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter of an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. (Mitch Stringer-Imagn Photos)
Baltimore now awaits their opponent in the divisional round, but in all likelihood it will be the Buffalo Bills. With a surprising Buffalo loss to the Denver Broncos, however, they would face the Houston Texans.
