\n<\/p>\n
Russell Wilson\u2019s mistakes vs. Ravens could loom large in Steelers\u2019 division title quest.<\/p>\n
The Pittsburgh Steelers are usually well-rounded enough to win games even if Wilson doesn\u2019t play spectacularly.<\/p>\n
That showed on Nov. 17, when Pittsburgh held off the visiting Baltimore Ravens 18-16 with first place in the AFC North on the line.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Wilson threw for just 205 yards, was intercepted once, and never got the offense in the end zone, but Chris Boswell\u2019s six field goals were just enough for a Pittsburgh defense that clamped down on Baltimore\u2019s high-powered offense.<\/p>\n
Skip ahead five weeks to Saturday\u2019s rematch, and Wilson again was pedestrian<\/a>, to put it kindly. This time that wasn\u2019t good enough. And it may end up costing the Steelers the division.<\/p>\n Wilson was better against the Ravens the second time around in some ways, throwing two touchdowns and finishing with a 38.0 QBR after posting a season-low 15.2 clip in the first meeting. But with his increased production came a pair of pivotal mistakes.<\/p>\n The first occurred with the game tied at 7 early in the second quarter and triggered a 14-point swing.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh drove to Baltimore\u2019s 23-yard line when Wilson escaped the pocket and charged toward the end zone. He seemed poised to give the Steelers the lead until Ravens safety Ar\u2019Darius Washington forced a fumble with a jarring hit, and Baltimore recovered at its own 4. Eight plays and 96 yards later, the hosts jumped ahead 14-7.<\/p>\n Wilson helped Pittsburgh draw even at 17 early in the third quarter, and the Steelers were still very much in the game when Wilson and company trotted onto the field trailing 24-17 with 13:57 left in the fourth.<\/p>\n Then came the backbreaker.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wilson faked a handoff, rolled to his right and misfired on a throw in the flat that Marlon Humphrey intercepted and returned 37 yards for a crucial pick-six. Deflated, Pittsburgh did nothing on its final two drives and watched its arch rival secure a third straight playoff berth.<\/p>\n A Steelers win would have locked up the division<\/a>, but Pittsburgh\u2019s margin for error is now uncomfortably slim entering the final weeks of the regular season.<\/p>\n Both the Steelers and the Ravens are 10-5, and while Pittsburgh currently owns the tiebreaker by way of conference record, Baltimore\u2019s final two games are a bit more favorable. The Ravens visit Houston on Wednesday before hosting Cleveland in the regular-season finale.\u00a0<\/p>\n