Steelers vs. Ravens: What they're saying in Baltimore after loss

Before losing six games in a row, the Baltimore Ravens sat atop the AFC standings with a record of 8-3.

Now, they’re headed home without a playoff berth and evaluating draft picks after a season largely derailed by injuries.

Here’s what some writers are saying after Sunday’s 16-13 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“In December, everything finally caught up to the Ravens, who ran out of late-game magic,” wrote Ryan McFadden of the Baltimore Sun. “(Cornerback Marlon) Humphrey suffered a season-ending pectoral injury against the Steelers in Week 13. A week later, starting quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered an ankle injury against the Cleveland Browns, which caused him to miss the final four games of the season. When Steelers kicker Chris Boswell nailed the game-winning field goal in overtime, the Ravens were yet again on the wrong side of a game in which they were competitive until the end but didn’t have enough to close out a victory.”

Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley looked overmatched, wrote SI.com’s Todd Karpovich in his report card. Huntley “had three costly turnovers that were the difference in the game.”

Despite the turnovers and a slew of injuries, Baltimore still put themselves in a position to win.

“The Ravens needed all the points they could get in this game and they squandered some key opportunities to do so, which has been a recurring theme over the last stretch of games,” wrote Frank Platko of the website Baltimore Beatdown. “After receiving the ball first in overtime, the Ravens were only able to drive 23 yards in seven plays, promptly punting the ball away. It felt inevitable that the Steelers would drive down the field and score on the ensuing possession.

“And so Pittsburgh did, manufacturing a 15-play, 65-yard possession that set up Boswell’s 35-yard field goal for the win.”

The loss gives the Ravens the No. 14 pick in the NFL draft.

The Baltimore Sun already has a Top 5 list compiled for draft prospects.

“After a 16-13 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens have the No. 14 overall pick, their best draft slot since they took left tackle Ronnie Stanley at No. 6 overall in 2016. According to ESPN, the Ravens entered Sunday with only 8% odds of landing the No. 14 pick, the highest in their range of possibilities; they were strong favorites (57%) to end up with No. 18 overall.”