Baltimore had a chance to lock up an AFC Wild Card berth today if they could gain a win against their old division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Instead they pushed themselves into a must win on the road against Oakland and helped breathe a little life into the Steelers hopes for the post-season as well.

Once again it was a familiar formula for this season’s edition of the Ravens as timely penalties wiped out a chance of victory on the road. Baltimore had two potential touchdowns called back as a result of mistakes and an easy touchdown was dropped in the end zone by Derrick Mason.

The opening quarter looked like your usual Pittsburgh-Baltimore tilt with the Steelers winning the Field Goal battle to go up 6-3. But the Steelers surged ahead on the strength of a 14 point second quarter.

Early in the second frame Rashard Mendenhall ran up the middle for a 4-yd score but Joe Flacco was able to respond with a 30-yd strike to Todd Heap as he fell across the goal line to cut the lead to 13-10. However, it was Ben Roethlisberger leading a 96 yd drive with under two minutes with a 24-yd touchdown toss to Santonio Holmes to put the Steelers up 20-10 at half time.

The third quarter could not have been played better by Baltimore, except for the penalties of course.

Flacco threw his second touchdown of the day to Todd Heap from 7 yards out to bring the lead back to three; 20-17. Then Domonique Foxworth, who continues his improved play stepped in front of a Roethlisberger pass and ran it back 46 yards for a potential touchdown. But, it was negated after Terrell Suggs was called for an illegal block. Instead the Ravens had to settle for a Billy Cundiff Field Goal to tie the game at 20.

After forcing a Pittsburgh three and out, it was Haloti Ngata’s turn to cost his team. Instead of the Raven offense starting at midfield after the punt return they were pushed back to their 35 as Ngata was called for an Unsportsmanlike after pushing two Steeler players out of bounds.

Willis McGahee’s 32 yard touchdown run was also called back on a Kelley Washington hold as he grabbed DeShea Towensend’s jersey. Two plays later, Mason used a double move and was wide open behind the defense. The ball was on time but instead clanged off Mason’s facemask as he failed to haul it in. But, the Ravens still had a chance to try a Field Goal to go up three and that chance was blown after Oneil Cousins pushed Lamar Woodley to the ground after the play to force the Ravens to punt.

It was the series that would cost Baltimore the game.

Jeff Reed hit his third Field Goal of the game to give the Steelers the lead for good at 23-20.

But the Ravens almost had one last chance to tie the game as Roethlisberger made an ill-advised pass on third and long and Tom Zibowski picked it off and ran it back to the Steelers 42 yard line. Instead Frank Walker was called for illegal contact and that was the ball game. A few kneel downs and Baltimore dropped to 8-7.

Even though Baltimore dropped a very tough game today they are faced with a win and get in scenario against the Raiders next week due to so many teams losing. It’s nice to know they are still alive but it doesn’t take any of the sting of this loss away for now.

POINTS TO PONDER

Why does this team get penalized so much?

It’s a question everyone has asked all season long. Is it the dreaded “undisciplined” word? Sometimes. I point to Ngata’s penalty as an example. In a game where field position is at a premium your offense is about to start with one of it’s best spots of the day at midfield but instead a boneheaded show of strength puts you at your 35. The worst part, Ngata is shown giggling about it on the sideline. That’s either the act of a very selfish player or a very stupid one to not realize that your mistake cost your team.

I will however also throw in my take on two questionable calls that hurt as well. The Washington hold on the touchdown should have been a no-call. Washington did hold the jersey but Towensend wasn’t in the play and had no chance to make the tackle. Walker’s penalty at the end of the game was also the wrong call. Once Roethlisberger scrambled from the pocket the contact should not have been called. That erases a potential shot at a game tying field goal.

But let’s be honest here this has happened all year long against decent competition. What continues to astound me is how John Harbaugh refuses to acknowledge any of it. He needs to check with his old mentor Andy Reid about getting in someone’s face when they need it. Instead week after week we see the same foolish penalties kill drives and we talk about how they almost won. It’s embarrassing to have playoff caliber talent, and they do have it because the AFC is full of 8-8 teams this season and not be able to win any games when you should. As fans we all want some accountability and I just don’t see it.

How Frustrating was this loss? (Version 2.0)

Incredibly. They outplayed the Steelers on the road but still couldn’t close out, a problem they’ve had all year. Mason’s dropped touchdown just summed up the season. Missed opportunities. The strange thing is that they still might make the playoffs at 9-7 if they avoid a letdown against Oakland who last I checked got handled by Cleveland of all teams this week. But this season was one of high hopes and for the first time rightfully so. This team is very talented, even though it has flaws like every other. But if this team could close out games they would have 11 or 12 wins instead of fighting for their playoff lives next week.

Does John Harbaugh really understand how to coach in the NFL?

He’s still learning and we see each week in close games just how much he still needs to learn. I chalk it up to the same post I wrote about Joe Flacco several weeks back. Harbaugh too is going through the growing pains we would have expected in his first season. Remember that his team only played in two games in 2008 decided by 7 points or less. This season they are 2-6 in games within 7 points. It’s not all his fault because players execute but I will point to his inability to manage the clock and using his timeouts.

Look at today’s game. The Steelers were 3rd and 11 from their own 4 with 1:13 left. The Ravens should have called time-out (they had 2 left) to set the defense and force Pittsburgh to think about running the ball and force a punt. Instead Roethlisberger completes a deep pass to Mike Wallace that would later set up a late touchdown before the break. I realize that the Ravens also jumped offsides which gave him a free play but I don’t see the sense in saving those timeouts. You can stop the clock on offense in a variety of ways but the only way you stop it on defense is with a timeout. Instead, when Baltimore got the ball back with :35 seconds left they used both time outs after two inside draws inside their own territory. Huh?

Harbaugh also needs a little help communicating. His style is different from the loquacious Brian Billick who would give you any and all answers you wanted. Harbaugh is more guarded and that’s fine but when you are asked about why your team commits dumb penalties and you instead snap at the person asking a legitimate question and then dodge the question entirely that’s dodging accountability. It’s why his players keep doing the same dumb things every game. They need that same accountability. I have no idea what they say behind closed doors but whatever it is it isn’t working.

Should the Ravens have started Oneil Cousins today?

Jared Gaither’s injury was huge today. I’m not just asking this because Cousins had such a terrible game today, I was asking it at 12:45 today among my group watching the game. Was it really fair to put him in that position in a game where pass protection was crucial? Cousins played fine against cake walks like the Lions and Bears but he made LaMarr Woodley look like Lawrence Taylor. False starts and the Unsportsmanlike penalty chalked up a horrendous day for him.

Who was the Offensive Player of the Game?

Ray Rice was incredibly effective running the ball for 141 yds. on 30 carries but his recent fumbling problem is worrisome. Todd Heap made plays in the red zone but I’m puzzled as to why he didn’t get more looks. Derrick Mason was the only threat on the outside today with seven catches but his drop was HUGE. Joe Flacco wasn’t bad today tossing two (what should have been three) touchdowns but he needs to pick up the hot route quicker on blitzes and he hardly ever threw over the middle of the defense. A spot where the Steelers have been soft.

Who was the Defensive player of the game?

Chris Carr and Domonique Foxworth both played well today. Funny how they were the biggest concern with Webb’s injury and I thought both accounted for themselves well. Carr atoned for his awful PI against Ward (Turn around!) with a forced fumble and Foxworth’s pick six that should have been would have been another moment to silence critics. The line and backers stopped the run to make the Steelers one-dimensional.