Ravens Lose to Steelers Amid Controversial Call in Week 14

The Baltimore Ravens faced a tough defeat against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14, losing 27-22, amid a controversial call that overturned a potential game-winning touchdown. With just 2:47 left in the game, Lamar Jackson connected with Isaiah Likely in the end zone, initially ruled a touchdown that would have given the Ravens a 28-27 lead.

However, the call was reversed to an incomplete pass after officials determined that Likely failed to complete the catch due to the ball being knocked out by Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth explained that while Likely had both feet down and controlled the ball initially, he did not complete the third element required for a catch before the ball was dislodged.

CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore supported this ruling, stating that Likely did not perform a football move necessary to complete the catch. The decision drew ire from Ravens players, particularly Jackson, who felt the call was unjust, saying, 'I thought it was a touchdown... the refs made the call they wanted.' Meanwhile, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin noted he initially thought it was not a touchdown, emphasizing the competitive nature of the divisional rivalry that saw multiple players from both teams leave the game for evaluations, including four Steelers for concussions.

This loss dropped the Ravens to a 6-7 record, while the Steelers improved to 7-6, claiming sole possession of first place in the AFC North. The game showcased the intense rivalry between the two teams, highlighting the impact of officiating on crucial moments in high-stakes matchups.