Classic formula helps Ravens beat Steelers

Justin Tucker proved once again he is the most reliable kicker in the league as he won the game for the Ravens with a 52-yard field goal in overtime.

By: Corey Johns

Establish the run, play great defense and win with the best kicker in the NFL — it’s a formula the Ravens have always had success with and on Thursday in Pittsburgh against their most hated rival Steelers, it led to the team’s first win of the year.

In overtime, Justin Tucker nailed a 52-yard field goal to earn the 23-20 victory.

The Ravens trailed most of the game but thanks to a very strong defensive performance the Steelers were never able to close the door and Baltimore came back to win.

Baltimore held Pittsburgh to only 2-for-13 on third-down conversations and shut them down both times they went for it on fourth down in overtime. That effort made up for bad outing by Joe Flacco, who lost two fumbles and threw an interception.

Meanwhile, Justin Forsett finally broke out for the first time this year, averaging over 5.5 yards per carry on 27 attempts for 150 yards and Tucker led them to the win. He went 3-for-3 in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Ravens came back, making a 40-yarder, 42-yards and the game-winning 52-yard field goal.

Those two performances were huge, especially with the Ravens receivers dropping like flies. The team was already without first round pick Breshad Perriman, who just underwent knee surgery after re-injuring his PCL, and tight end Crockett Gillmore was out with an injury as well but Steve Smith Sr. and Michael Campanaro both left the game with injuries.

So while the win was far from pretty and easily could have gone a different way if the Steelers would have made one of their two fourth-quarter field goal attempts, it was a win Baltimore needed and a win they gutted out and fought hard to get.

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