The Ravens were able to joke about the controversial play made by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin because it didn’t cost them the game.
But the Steelers were left to ponder a play that could have killed their season made by one of the Ravens backups.
Their chance to tie the game late evaporated when wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders dropped a two-point conversion pass. He was being covered by Ravens cornerback Chykie Brown, who had just entered the game for an injured Jimmy Smith.
“I knew they were coming after the guy that was fresh off the bench,” Brown said, via Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com. “This was the last play that was going to win the game, and I knew they were coming my way.”
“I couldn’t see it but, hey, big-time players make big-time plays and I didn’t make the necessary play for my teammates,” Sanders said, via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Got a little adversity, I just have to handle it.”
It would have been an impressive catch if Sanders made it, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took the blame for it. It was the same play they had just run for a touchdown to Jerricho Cotchery, who was running routes next to Antonio Brown on the front side of the play.
“There’s no time to read anything,” Roethlisberger said of that quick play. “The ball has to come out right now. You have to pick a side. We threw it the first time to Jay-Cho. You know they’re probably going to double AB or Jay-Cho, so I went to the backside.
“I have lot of faith and trust in Emmanuel. He had a corner on him who just came in the game. I just have to make a better throw for him.”
As close as they were to tying things, they’re now faced with a 5-7 record, and next to no shot at the playoffs unless they’re perfect the rest of the way, and get a bunch of breaks.