Flacco puts away Steelers on his second chance

The Ravens had the big-armed quarterback to make the necessary plays in the fourth quarter, and the Steelers didn't. That basically sums up another close, down-to-wire, low-scoring defensive-minded game between the two AFC North rivals.

Joe Flacco got two chances in Pittsburgh territory in the final two minutes and wasn't denied, delivering the game-winning TD to T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Flacco has matured well from past disappointments against the Steelers' defense, and having Anquan Boldin and Houshmandzadeh gave him the needed extra boost.

The Steelers took a 14-10 lead on a Rashard Mendenhall 7-yard touchdown halfway through the fourth quarter. And they held that lead, even making a tough goal-line stand with just over 2 minutes left in the game.

Without Ben Roethlisberger -- eligible to return from his four-game suspension Monday -- the Steelers just couldn't put Baltimore away.

The Ravens needed the win to get the early division jump when Big Ben was away; the Bengals' loss at Cleveland was a nice bonus.

However, the Steelers backup QBs held the team together fairly well, handing Roethlisberger a 3-1 record. Charlie Batch passed for 141 yards against the Ravens. Last week against Tampa Bay the veteran was 12-of-17 passing for 186 yards and three touchdowns.

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