Baltimore Ravens Spoil Dennis Dixon's Debut In OT

NFL News - November 30th, 2009 - Written by John

It could only last for so long. It was just a matter of time until back-up quarterback Dennis Dixon would finally make a rookie mistake against a ferocious Baltimore Ravens defense that desperately needed a win.

In his first-career start, Dixon led the Pittsburgh Steelers to overtime with a touchdown pass and rush, but was intercepted by Paul Kruger in the extra period, which set up a 29-yard chip shot for Billy Cundiff to give the Ravens a 20-17 win on Sunday night. The win wasn't enough to cover the four-point spread, however.

Ray Rice had 155 total yards from scrimmage, including 19 rushing yards in overtime, to lead the team to it's sixth win of the season..

"This is a confidence booster. Not only against a great team with a great legacy, but a division opponent," said Rice. "It sets us up for a five-game season right now."

Dixon was called on to start after Ben Roethlisberger didn't pass all the required medical examinations after suffering a concussion, and Charlie Batch broke his wrist. But against one of the stiffest defenses in the league, rankings withholding, Dixon made the most of his opportunity for the first 60 minutes. He threw a 33-yard touchdown pass into the basket of Santonio Holmes in the second quarter, then ran for a 24-yard score in the fourth to give his team a 17-14 lead.

But in overtime, he wasn't able to crack Baltimore's zone defense, going 0-for-4 in the extra time, including Kruger's interception.

"To be a part of that victory is huge for me," said Kruger. "It was a designed blitz. I was the dropper. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time."

Dixon finished the day 12-for-26 for 145 yards.

Cundiff was the hero for the Ravens, hitting two field goals at the end of the game. The first one tied the game at 17-all with 1:51 left in regulation. He nearly kicked the game-winner as time expired, but the 56-yarder fell short after being rushed out onto the field with no timeouts. The second one wasn't even a challenge. Rice rushed the ball four times for 19 yards after Kruger's pick, and Joe Flacco took a knee at directly in the middle of the 12.

The Steelers still get another shot at Baltimore at home later in the year, but find time fleeting as they try to salvage their Super Bowl defending season. They have lost three in a row, and almost every loss has come when leading in the fourth quarter.

"We will not go gently," Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said. "We won't go in a shell. We're going to go into attack mode, because that's what's required."

Pittsburgh now gets the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers before closing out the year with Baltimore and the Miami Dolphins.

For the Ravens, the next three games will be against the NFC North's Packers, Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears before meeting the Steelers in Week 16. Then it's the Oakland Raiders, making a 10-6 season a very likely scenario for both teams, which would mean a season sweep by Baltimore could break a tie and keep Pittsburgh out in the cold.

2009 NFL Week 13 Betting Odds are out and can be found at one of the many USA Online Sportsbooks.