1. Their backs against the wall, the Ravens saved their season with a gritty, gut-wrenching effort against the bitter rivals to the northwest, the Steelers. Down by three points with less than four minutes left, Ravens coach John Harbaugh made a risky call going for it on 4th down in Baltimore territory, but Ray Rice made him look like a genius with an electrifying 44-yard catch and run that set up the game-tying field goal. The Ravens, of course, would win in overtime, 20-17, and move into the last playoff spot in the AFC with five games left to play. This was the kind of game the Ravens lost on a few occasions this season, but they came through Sunday night thanks to a slew of contributions that came from throughout their roster. Finally, the Ravens played well for four full quarters against a good team – and came through in sudden death, to boot.

2. The Ravens and Steelers both drafted their running backs of the future in 2008 in Rice and Rashard Mendenhall, respectively. Rice stole the show with 155 total yards on 24 touches. However, Mendenhall impressed me, too. The young power back ran well between the tackles, picking up 95 tough yards on 24 carries (and broke out about a dozen “Madden” spin moves in the process). Rice and the Ravens won the battle Sunday night, but I’ve got a feeling we’ll be seeing these two go rush-for-rush for years to come.

3. Ravens second-round pick Paul Kruger finally made an impact at the NFL level after being inactive for most of the season’s first half. On a big third-down play for the Steelers in overtime, the Ravens called a zone blitz. Kruger dropped into coverage and was in the right place at the right time for an unlikely interception that set up the game-winning field goal. It would be nice if he could get after the quarterback going forward, but I’m sure the Ravens gladly settled for his big pick Sunday night.

4. For at least a few hours, embattled mayor Sheila Dixon wasn’t the most hated Dixon in Baltimore. That honor went to second-year Steelers QB Dennis Dixon, who had an up-and-down debut in his first NFL start. Filling in for the injured Ben Roethlisberger, Dixon looked like the second coming of Willie Beamen – yes, that’s an “Any Given Sunday” reference – when he blew around the right end on a 24-yard touchdown run that gave the Steelers a 17-14 fourth-quarter lead. But his struggles in the passing game and a costly pick in overtime opened the door for the Ravens’ comeback win.

5. Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons, their first-round pick in 2007, had a monster game, sacking Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco twice and forcing a fumble. This is the kind of player the Ravens hope young ‘backer Tavares Gooden develops into down the road. To do that, though, Gooden has to bulk up and toughen up.

6. Speaking of Flacco getting sacked, the Ravens offensive line was atrocious in pass protection in the second half after performing well in the first. Pittsburgh sacked Flacco five times, a couple of them on big hits, but Flacco toughed out what looked to be an injured ankle and helped Baltimore pull off the comeback win. I know containing James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley is a tough task, but if the offensive line plays like that when these rivals meet again next month, Flacco might not even be able to limp off the field after the game. Give the kid credit for being tough as nails Sunday, though.

7. He’s still no Matt Stover, but I’ve got a feeling Billy Cundiff won’t need to buy any drinks if he heads out on the town this week. Baltimore clearly loves him – until he misses his first clutch kick, that is.

Matt Vensel is a content creator for b. E-mail him at matt@bthesite.com.

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