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After previously ending up in a tie with the Detroit Lions followed by two straight losses, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally got back on track with a Week 13 win against the Baltimore Ravens. The 20-19 outcome certainly tested the mettle of Mike Tomlin's squad as they needed to overcome the AFC North division leader in a bid to save their playoff hopes this season.
Sure, the Steelers still had noticeable lapses but they did just enough to improve to a 6-5-1 record and nab the third spot in their division. They will aim to keep the momentum going as they try to grab another victory at the expense of the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14 proceedings.
With that said, here are three takeaways from the Steelers' most recent win over the Ravens:
3. Ben Roethlisberger showed that he still has a bit left in the tank.
For the most part of the season, many were clamoring for Ben Roethlisberger to be replaced by a younger playmaker who can re-ignite the team's offensive attack. With his advancing age, it isn't hard to think so but the 39-year-old proved that he can still keep in step and lead his team to a win against the Ravens.
Initially, Roethlisberger had a slow start to the game as the offense struggled to find its rhythm early on. He eventually managed to play at a higher level in the fourth quarter where he sparked a 17-point outburst late in the game.
The QB's stats may not pop off with 236 yards on 21-of-31 passes completed along with two touchdowns. However, Roethlisberger still deserves credit for his role in their comeback bid against the Ravens. Without his contributions, the Steelers could've easily lost the game and they would need him to play at his best in their remaining games if they still want to secure a seat in the postseason.
2. T.J. Watt played very much like a DPOY candidate against the Ravens.
On the other end of the field, star linebacker T.J. Watt served as another sparkplug for the Steelers in their Week 13 contest. The three-time Pro Bowler ran after opposing QB Lamar Jackson and made him uncomfortable for the most part of the game.
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Watt was a monster on defense as he compiled six total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and six quarterback hits against the Ravens. After his strong outing, he has now tied James Harrison for the team's single-season sack record with a total of 16, per Steelers Depot. With five games left to play, Watt is in a great position to break the all-time single-season record (22.5) and bag the first DPOY award of his career.
More than the numbers, Watt's presence certainly slowed down the momentum of the opposing offense and will continue to be a key factor in helping the Steelers reach the playoffs this season.
1. The offense's rejuvenated effort in crunch time gave them a chance to win the game.
For the first three-quarters of the game, it seemed like the Ravens were on their way to dominating their division rivals. However, Roethlisberger and the rest of the offense flipped the script with a huge comeback attempt in the final frame.
The team's top weapons on offense showed up as Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, and Pat Freiermuth all made an impact in crunch time. The leadership and composure of their veteran QB were also pivotal in ensuring that they still get to execute their schemes despite facing a tough challenge in the form of the Ravens.
Yes, they could've had a better start to the game in order to not find themselves needing to climb out of a deep hole. However, one also can't deny the fight and effort that Tomlin and his men have exerted in order to grab this much-needed victory against the Ravens.
Currently, a lot of things still have to align in order for the Steelers to make it to the playoffs. However, they can surely put themselves in a position to compete for a spot if they get to sustain their momentum and win more games moving forward.
