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Steelers find a way, take over first in North
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, in Baltimore.
Associated Press
BALTIMORE
Ben Roethlisberger threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Redman with 2:51 left after Troy Polamalu forced a fumble with a sack of Joe Flacco, and the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 13-10 on Sunday night to gain sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
A fierce defensive battle turned when Polamalu hit Flacco’s arm on a safety blitz. The loose ball was taken 19 yards by Lamarr Woodley to the Baltimore 9, setting up Pittsburgh’s lone touchdown.
After throwing two incomplete passes, Roethlisberger dumped a short toss over the middle to Redman, who broke two tackles on his way to the end zone.
Baltimore’s ensuing drive ended when Joe Flacco bounced a fourth-down pass to Ed Dickson with 33 seconds remaining.
The victory left Pittsburgh (9-3) a game ahead of the Ravens (8-4) in the division.
Baltimore blew a fourth-quarter lead for the sixth time this season and had its eight-game home winning streak end.
Playing with a sprained right foot and overcoming a fierce pass rush, Roethlisberger went 22 for 38 for 253 yards. He has won six straight starts against Baltimore and is 8-2 lifetime against the Ravens.
Flacco was 17 for 33 for 266 yards, but his fumble was the most decisive play of the game.
As is usually the case when the Steelers and Ravens meet, the trainers were kept busy tending to injured players.
Both starting tight ends were knocked out of the game. Baltimore’s Todd Heap strained a hamstring on the first play from scrimmage and did not return, and Pittsburgh’s Heath Miller suffered a concussion in the third quarter in a collision with Ravens cornerback Chris Carr.
The Steelers also lost right tackle Flozell Adams, who limped off the field in the third quarter.
The hitting was so hard that even Pittsburgh’s punter got injured. Daniel Sepulveda hurt his right knee in the second quarter, and placekicker Shaun Suisham was called upon to punt for the remainder of the game.
Blanked in the first half for the first time since Nov. 26, 2007, against Miami, Pittsburgh got a field goal on the opening drive of the third quarter to close to 7-3.
Roethlisberger hit Hines Ward for 13 yards and Mike Wallace for 23 yards before Suisham kicked a 45-yard field goal.