|
 The Steelers and their high octane offense entered the game with
three successive wins and were becoming a sneaky pick to challenge
in the AFC, but a 20-17 loss to Baltimore dimmed their outlook.
Pittsburgh (9-6) fell one game behind the conference's playoff spot
and will need to win their season finale next week against
Cleveland, and get a loss from one of the teams they are chasing, to
make the post-season.
"We didn't handle business in our stadium today so we're left to
look around at other stadiums," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told
reporters.
"We're capable of beating anyone, but we're also capable of losing
to anyone. It's a painful lesson we learned today."
With quarterback Ben Roethlisberger rounding into form during a
campaign that has seen him battle through injuries, the Steelers
were flying high.
Antonio Brown, the NFL's leading receiver, has combined with deep
threat Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton to create th emost
dangerous pass-catching trio in the league.
The combination had allowed Pittsburgh to score at least 30 points
in six successive games as they were becoming the team no one would
want to face in a potential playoff matchup.
[to top of second column] |
But that all changed with an upset win by the Ravens (5-10), who
kept the Steelers off the field and put their post-season plans on
hold.
"It's our own fault, my fault," Roethlisberger said of his team's
precarious position.
"We'll just have to watch and hope."
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg
Stutchbury)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
