Monday 2 October 2017 06:21, UK
The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the first half of their match-up against the Baltimore Ravens, and held off a comeback attempt to secure a 26-9 victory over their AFC North rivals on Sunday.
Pittsburgh came out flying in the first half at M&T Bank Stadium, and scored 19 straight points before the Ravens even had a look in - kicker Chris Boswell fired in two field goals, Le'Veon Bell plunged in for a one-yard score and the NFL's youngest player Juju Smith-Schuster broke free for an 11-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger.
At half-time, the Steelers had 253 yards compared to Baltimore's 69 and also dominated in first downs (15-4) but, after the break, the Ravens finally started rolling.
A deflected interception by Eric Weddle gave Baltimore the ball deep in Pittsburgh territory and Justin Tucker converted a 42-yard field goal.
On their next possession, running back Alex Collins burst through for a 50-yard scamper and two plays later, Ravens quarterback Flacco fired a laser pass to Mike Wallace for their first touchdown. Terrance West was then inches from bringing Baltimore to within one score on a failed two-point attempt.
Unfortunately, the Ravens fell apart thereafter. In the fourth quarter. Ryan Shazier undercut Flacco's intended receiver for the first of two picks, with Shazier again involved in the second, tipping the ball into the hands of Mike Wright.
Le'Veon Bell wrapped up the game with his second one-yard TD run with three minutes to go in the contest.
The victory was Pittsburgh's first in Baltimore since 2012, and puts them firmly in control of the AFC North. The Steelers move to 3-1, while the Ravens second loss in a row sees them slip to 2-2.
Earlier, Ravens fans booed their team as they took to one knee for a "moment of unity" ahead of their game against Pittsburgh. Both the Ravens and the Steelers players then stood for the anthem.
Elsewhere in the NFL...
Panthers 33-30 Patriots
Graham Gano made up for missing an extra point by drilling a 46-yard field goal as time expired for Carolina (3-1) to earn an upset win in New England (2-2).
Quarterback Cam Newton torched the shaky Patriots defense for 316 yards and three touchdowns and also ran in for another score - Carolina are the fourth straight team to pass for over 300 yards against the Patriots.
Rams 35-30 Cowboys
Los Angeles running back Todd Gurley rushed for 121 yards and caught a 53-yard touchdown pass, while kicker Greg Zuerlein booted a career-best seven field goals to lift the Rams (3-1) to a stunning victory in Dallas (2-2).
Rams quarterback Jared Goff's impressive sophomore season continues as he finished with 255 passing yards and two TDs.
Titans 14-57 Texans
Rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson followed a breakout performance last weekend in New England with a record-setting display in his third career start as Houston (2-2) hammered Tennessee (2-2).
Watson completed 25 of 34 attempts for 283 yards and became the first rookie quarterback to throw for four touchdowns and rush for another since Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton did it in 1961.
The Titans, meanwhile, lost their own up-and-coming QB Marcus Mariota to a hamstring injury during the game.
Bills 23-17 Falcons
Buffalo (3-1) inflicted a first defeat of the season on Atlanta (3-1) - the Bills got a 55-yard touchdown off a Matt Ryan fumble by Tre'Davious White and had two interceptions against the Falcons quarterback.
Jaguars 20-23 Jets (OT)
New York (2-2) won a second straight as Chandler Catanzaro made a 41-yard field goal with 28 seconds left in overtime to beat Jacksonville (2-2).
Bilal Powell had a 75-yard touchdown run and rookie RB Elijah McGuire a 69-yarder for the Jets.
Lions 14-7 Vikings
Ameer Abdullah ran for 94 yards and a touchdown as Detroit (3-1) took advantage of three second-half fumbles to beat Minnesota (2-2).
Minnesota rookie running back Dalvin Cook had 66 yards rushing and a TD but left the game with a serious looking knee injury.
Bengals 31-7 Browns
Quarterback Andy Dalton threw four touchdown passes to lead Cincinnati (1-3) to their first win of the season over the still winless Cleveland (0-4), who have tasted victory in only one of their last 23 NFL games.
