Steelers fall to Ravens in OT

BALTIMORE (AP) — Third-string quarterback Dennis Dixon was doing a fine job for the Pittsburgh Steelers in his first NFL start — until he was forced to work overtime.

An interception by rookie Paul Kruger set up a 29-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff with 6:42 left in the extra session, giving the Baltimore Ravens a 20-17 victory on Sunday night.

Dixon started because Ben Roethlisberger was sidelined with a concussion and backup Charlie Batch had a broken left wrist. Dixon had thrown only one pass in two seasons before getting the nod against the Ravens.

For much of the game, Dixon did his best impersonation of Roethlisberger. He threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes, and even added a personal touch, running for a 24-yard touchdown to put Pittsburgh up 17-14 in the fourth quarter.

Cundiff kicked a 24-yard field goal with 1:51 left in regulation, forcing overtime.

The Ravens used a 44-yard scamper by Ray Rice on fourth-and-5 from their own 46-yard line to move to the Steelers 10. But the drive stalled after two running plays when Joe Flacco threw wide of tight end Todd Heap in the end zone on third down.

Cundiff then converted for a 17-all tie. His 56-yard attempt as time expired fell short.

Pittsburgh had taken a 17-14 lead with 6:24 remaining in regulation, converting after Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco’s fumble was recovered by Brett Keisel. Dixon finished off a seven-play, 54-yard drive by scoring on a 24-keeper around the right end.

Flacco threw a touchdown pass to Derrick Mason and Willis McGahee scored on a short run, helping Baltimore take a 14-10 lead after three quarters.

The Steelers trailed 14-7 before Jeff Reed kicked a 44-yard field goal, the only scoring of the third quarter.

Flacco’s 10-yard touchdown pass to a leaping Mason put the Ravens up by seven. Mason outjumped Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor in the left side of the end zone with 1:45 left in the first half, hauling in a floater to complete an 89-yard drive. It was Mason’s first career touchdown in 21 games against Pittsburgh.

Early in the second quarter, Dixon threw a 33-yard touchdown strike to Holmes, tying the game.

Dixon was 3 for 3 for 60 yards on the 74-yard drive. His longest completion was the TD to Holmes, who dived to make contact with the pylon at the left side of the goal line.

The Steelers were expected to focus mostly on running plays to compensate for the inexperience of Dixon, the former Oregon star who had thrown only one pass in two NFL seasons. But Dixon mixed it up, employing an effective short-range passing game to complement the ground attack.