The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers split the regular-season series, but during their wild-card playoff matchup on Saturday in Baltimore, it was clear which team was superior.
The Steelers were dominated 34-17 just three weeks prior, and Saturday’s game — a 28-14 Baltimore win — had very similar results.
The Ravens controlled time of possession 39:33 to 20:27 on Saturday, out-gained the Steelers 464 yards to 280, and moved the chains with much more success (they gained 29 first downs to Pittsburgh’s 11.)
The victory was also a notable one for Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who improved to just 4-5 against the Steelers in his career. Jackson finished with 175 yards passing, 81 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
After the game ended, the 28-year-old MVP front-runner sought out Steelers QB Russell Wilson, who threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns, for a postgame embrace. Fans took to social media immediately after to applaud the two QBs for their act of mutual respect.
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson meets with Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson after beating Pittsburgh 28-14 in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
“Game respects game. I’m happy for Lamar,” one fan wrote.
“Love to see the sportsmanship! Happy for Lamar and the Ravens!” another added.
“Too bad Russ and Lamar didn’t trade jerseys. But still major respects,” one user stated.
“Good sportsmanship is my FAVORITE thing to see,” another user remarked.
“Two Hall of Famers,” one fan proclaimed.
Some have speculated Saturday’s playoff loss could be Wilson’s final game with the Steelers. If it was, it’s hard to fault Wilson for not being able to upstage Jackson, who many believe will win the NFL MVP award at the end of the season.
