Ravens rushing vs. Steelers run defense -- RAVENS -- Running back Jamal Lewis ran over the league's top-ranked rushing defense. He was nearly unstoppable, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. But he finished with only 86 yards rushing because the play-calling limited him to 14 carries. Lewis' only mistake was fumbling at the Steelers' 2-yard line, but the loose ball was recovered by fullback Alan Ricard in the end zone.
Ravens passing vs. Steelers pass defense -- STEELERS -- In a three-point loss, quarterback Jeff Blake was intercepted twice in the end zone. Outside of those picks, Blake was having his best game as a Raven, completing 19 of 24 passes for 336 yards. Tight end Todd Heap has perfected outleaping defenders and had seven catches for 146 yards and one touchdown. Right tackle Ethan Brooks hurt the Ravens again with a couple of false starts and poor pass protection.
Steelers rushing vs. Ravens run defense -- STEELERS -- Where was the Ravens' pursuit and containment? Pittsburgh running backs Amos Zereoue and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala combined for 153 yards rushing. The Steelers exposed the Ravens' defense by running off the edges - mainly on the left side - and capitalized on numerous missed tackles.
Steelers passing vs. Ravens pass defense -- EVEN -- Ravens cornerback Gary Baxter held receiver Plaxico Burress, who has hurt the Ravens in the past, to three catches for 52 yards. Quarterback Tommy Maddox wasn't sharp and finished under 200 yards passing for the first time in six weeks. But the pass defense helped Pittsburgh keep first-half drives alive with four penalties on third downs.
Special teams -- STEELERS -- Pittsburgh only had to drive 31 yards for the go-ahead touchdown because of Chester Taylor's fumble of a fourth-quarter kickoff. The Ravens' kickoff coverage team allowed too many big returns as Antwaan Randle El averaged 28.7 yards on three returns. The kicking game was a push with the Ravens' Matt Stover hitting a 43-yard field goal and the Steelers' Jeff Reed converting a 48-yarder.
NICKEL PACKAGE
Thumbs up
Ravens passing game. The Ravens' offense scored on five of 10 drives because it was clicking under quarterback Jeff Blake. He was on target with jump balls to tight end Todd Heap and crisp throws to receiver Travis Taylor. Receiver Randy Hymes bailed out Blake with acrobatic catches.
Thumbs down
Blake's two poor throws. He was picked off twice in the end zone because of throwing into double coverage. The first interception came when Blake threw on the run and his last occurred when he didn't put enough air on a pass in the back of the end zone.
Stat of the game
10. Interceptions by quarterback Jeff Blake in six losses as compared to one pick in four wins.
Quotable
"You have to learn how to step on someone when they're down. You can't let somebody get back up or else they'll knock you back out." - offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, on losing late in the fourth quarter the past two weeks.
Trainer's room
Right guard Bennie Anderson (sprained ankle) left late in the third quarter and was replaced by Casey Rabach. X-rays were negative. ... Defensive end Riddick Parker and linebacker Cornell Brown both missed time after getting poked in the eye but returned.