Amid freezing temperatures at M&T Bank Stadium, the electric atmosphere was undeniable as 70,546 fans gathered to witness the Baltimore Ravens face their AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a Wild Card showdown. The Ravens delivered a commanding performance, securing a 28-14 victory to advance to the AFC Divisional Round. Meanwhile, Steelers’ George Pickens was penalized by NFL.
Steelers WR George Pickens Penalized by NFL
The Baltimore Ravens decisively overpowered the Pittsburgh Steelers with a commanding 28-14 victory at M&T Bank Stadium in their AFC wild-card matchup. Lamar Jackson showcased his MVP-caliber play, throwing two touchdowns in a near-perfect first half. The Ravens wasted no time asserting their dominance, building a 21-0 lead by halftime. Baltimore’s offense was relentless, with scoring drives of 95, 85, and 90 yards in the first half, leaving Pittsburgh struggling to keep up.
The ground game, led by Derrick Henry, was equally devastating. Henry rushed for an impressive 186 yards and two touchdowns, contributing to Baltimore’s staggering 299 rushing yards—a record-setting performance against the Steelers in the playoffs. Pittsburgh, in contrast, managed only 29 rushing yards, highlighting the Ravens’ overwhelming physicality.
With their victory, Baltimore must wait for the Denver Broncos-Buffalo Bills game to learn their next opponent in the divisional round.
Wide receiver George Pickens was a rare bright spot for the Steelers, leading the team offensively with five receptions for 87 yards. His highlight moment came in the third quarter with a remarkable 36-yard touchdown catch, bringing the score to 28-14. However, his performance was marred by a costly offensive pass interference penalty earlier in the game, which stunted the Steelers’ momentum during a crucial first-half drive.
Pickens’ struggles in the regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals further underscored his challenges. The game ended in a narrow 19-17 loss for Pittsburgh, and the aftermath brought additional woes as the NFL fined Pickens $22,511 for unnecessary roughness following a facemask incident during a sideline pass attempt.
Injuries and Inconsistencies Hamper Pickens’ 2024 Season
Since joining the Steelers in 2022, Pickens has shown flashes of brilliance, but his 2024 season fell short of expectations. His final stats—59 receptions, 900 yards, and a career-low three touchdowns—highlighted his struggles to meet the high standards set for him. Missing three games due to a hamstring injury in December, Pickens had difficulty regaining his form, managing only three catches for 50 yards in his Week 17 return against the Kansas City Chiefs. His poor showing continued in the regular season finale, further dampening his campaign.
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While missing the 1,000-yard milestone was disappointing, more concerning is Pickens’ inability to make a significant impact after his injury. Despite his immense potential, such inconsistency from a player of his caliber raises questions about his future contributions to the Steelers.
