NFL: Steelers survive overtime against the Ravens to make the playoffs

Baltimore, Maryland - The Pittsburgh Steelers have finally gotten themselves into this year’s postseason after outlasting their division rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, in the 2021 NFL season finale.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw a touchdown against the Ravens on Sunday.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw a touchdown against the Ravens on Sunday.  © Imago/UPI Photo

The Steelers beat the Ravens 16-13 in overtime for their second-straight win and third victory over the last four games.

For Baltimore, the loss was their sixth defeat in a row while their hated rivals, the Steelers, are playoff-bound for the second-straight season.

While Baltimore were reduced to playing the role of spoilers, this matchup proved to be the gritty, hard-nosed battle they’ve always brought to the table.

The defense has always been the name of the game with these two and it definitely showed after both teams grabbed an interception, but could only muster a field goal each on offense, tying 3-3 at halftime.

The Ravens finally found the end zone first to open the third quarter, but the Steelers answered back with another field goal to stay within four going into the fourth.

Pittsburgh took most of the fourth quarter but got the lead back by scoring their only touchdown with only minutes to go in regulation.

But that was followed right up with another Baltimore field goal to send the action into overtime.

The Steelers almost found themselves with another regular-season tie but got close enough in the game’s closing minutes to boot through a game-winning 36-yard field goal for the much-needed win.

The player spotlight

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (r) kicked the game-winning field goal that got the Steelers into the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (r) kicked the game-winning field goal that got the Steelers into the playoffs.  © Imago/UPI Photo

The Steelers' playoff hopes rested on the foot of their seventh-year placekicker, Chris Boswell (30), who ended up being his team’s high scorer after the dust settled.

Having scored 10 out of the Steelers’ 16 total points, it was easy to see Boswell as Pittsburgh’s most valuable player in this game.

Overall this season, he only missed four field-goal attempts to sit tied for 10th in the league with an 89.4% field goal percentage.

Boswell finished the game with a perfect 3-for-3 in field goal attempts and a successful extra-point kick for 10 points scored.

The big picture

Ben Roethlisberger exits the field during his last regular season game, but he gets to play at least one more time this Sunday night.
Ben Roethlisberger exits the field during his last regular season game, but he gets to play at least one more time this Sunday night.  © Imago/UPI Photo

The Steelers are in the playoffs after a rather unusual season that had them all but out of the playoff chase just two weeks ago.

They played to a tie with the league’s worst team in Week 10 and they’re not division champs. This will make any potential path to the Super Bowl a rather tough one that will very likely keep them on the road the entire time.

But should this be Steelers legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's final season, it's fitting that he gets to play at least one more meaningful game before hanging up his helmet and cleats for good.

The Steelers will be on the road for a Wild Card playoff matchup against the Chiefs on Sunday night.

Cover photo: Imago/UPI Photo

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