Game recap: This division battle came down to a player that wasn’t even in the league last week as Baltimore K Billy Cundiff had to hit the game-winning field goal in overtime, tying the Ravens with the Steelers in the AFC North. The Ravens won 20-17 on Sunday night.
Fantasy stud (s): Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton, WRs, BAL (seven receptions for 62 yards and a TD; seven receptions for 129 yards and a fumble) The Baltimore WRs had a huge day that almost went to the wayside. This was a breakout game for Clayton has he had just 328 yards receiving prior to Week 12 and hadn’t eclipsed the century mark yet either.
Santonio Holmes, WR, PIT (six receptions for 74 yards and a TD) Holmes scored his second touchdown of the season, which is great news for fantasy owners.
Ray Rice, RB, BAL (19 carries for 88 yards; five receptions for 67 yards) Rice failed to find the end zone, but he had some key receptions that kept the drives alive and his runs set up the game-winning field goal.
Fantasy dud (s): Heath Miller, TE, PIT (one catch for two yards) This was pretty much a zero in fantasy leagues. Not what you want to see out of your fantasy TE.
Hines Ward, WR, PIT (three receptions for 47 yards) Ward normally comes up big in games in this series, but was fairly quiet on Sunday night in Baltimore.
Let me introduce you to: Dennis Dixon, QB, PIT (12-of-26 passing for 145 yards, one TD, one INT, three carries for 27 yards and a TD) The second-year QB got his first career start and put up decent fantasy numbers, but his one mistake cost his team the game. With him playing behind Big Ben, Dixon has no fantasy value unless the Steelers’ franchise QB can’t go next week.
Stat of the day: 1
In Dennis Dixon’s first start of his young NFL career, almost led his team to a victory, but unfortunately for Pittsburgh fans he came up short. Before Sunday night he had just one NFL pass, and by the end of the night he had his first rushing and passing TD.
Rookie look: Paul Kruger, DE, BAL (one INT) The rookie out of Utah had his first career INT and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Ravens. His overtime pick of Pittsburgh QB Dennis Dixon set up the game-winning drive for Baltimore.
Key Injuries: Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger (concussion) was held out of this key AFC North showdown, despite his desire to play.
Defense/Special teams: Pittsburgh recovered two fumbles and sacked Ravens QB Joe Flacco five times, but weren’t able to stop Baltimore in overtime. The Ravens didn’t have a sack, but rookie DE Paul Kruger had a key interception in OT that set up the game-winning field goal by K Billy Cundiff.
Look ahead: Pittsburgh heads home to take on the lowly Oakland Raiders. This could be another game Pittsburgh rests QB Ben Roethlisberger in favor of second-year QB Dennis Dixon. Big Ben won’t want to sit, but it will be up to head coach Mike Tomlin if he does or not. Baltimore and Green Bay will meet on Monday Night Football in Week 13, which will have playoff implications for each team.
Things you didn’t know: Ravens QB Joe Flacco attended the University of Pittsburgh before transferring to Delaware. Also K Billy Cundiff, who wasn’t on the Ravens team last week, has never missed a field goal within 30 yards in his career – he is a perfect 30-for-30.
Final take: With both teams having 6-5 records, the AFC is a mess with nine other teams within three games of each other that are all in the mix for a Wild Card spots. These two teams meet again on Dec. 27 in Pittsburgh, which could be the deciding factor on what team makes the playoffs.
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