The Steelers couldn’t afford to escape an important game against the division opponent Baltimore Ravens to preserve their playoff hopes. The Pennsylvania team was hot, but they finally held out to win 20-19 on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Late 20-13, the visitors crossed the field in the final two minutes of play to register a major thanks to a throw from quarterback Lamar Jackson to wide receiver Sammy Watkins. The Ravens, however, had no intention of prolonging the suspense with a one-point convert and preferred to attempt a two-point convert to end the debate. Mark Andrews, however, escaped Jackson’s pass, much to the delight of fans at Heinz Field.
By virtue of a 6-5-1 record, the Steelers are still at the height of the playoff race as a drafted team. They can also always hope to finish first in their division, held by the Ravens (8-4).
The Seahawks play spoilers
The Seahawks’ (4-8) chances of making the playoffs are pretty slim, but that hasn’t stopped them from putting a damper in the wheels of a team that is still fighting for one of those tickets, the 49ers of San Francisco (6-6), beating them 30-23, in Seattle.
After scoring 44 points together in the first half, both attacks struggled on their return to the field as the Seahawks scored all nine in the second half.
Winners quarterback Russell Wilson completed 30 of his 37 stints for 231 yards, in addition to finding Tyler Lockett and D’Wayne Eskridge in the end zone. However, he was the victim of an interception.
Running back Adrian Peterson, released in November by the Tennessee Titans and signed to the Seahawks reserve team, before moving up to the starting lineup, eventually carried the ball 11 times, crossing 16 yards in addition to reaching the opposing end zone.
Elsewhere in the NFL
In Los Angeles, the Rams (8-4) completely crushed the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) 37-7. True to form since the start of the season, wide receiver Cooper Kupp did well, catching eight of 10. relay Matthew Stafford sent in his direction, for 129 yards and a major.
In Las Vegas, the Washington football team (6-6) caused quite a stir when they landed a field goal in the last minute of play to defeat the Raiders (6-6) 17-15.