Steelers 23, Ravens 14: Flacco Struggles, Pittsburgh Wins the AFC

Throughout the playoffs, the Ravens had simply asked Joe Flacco to not lose the game. If he could make a big play or two a game, while not turning the ball over, Baltimore's defense would handle the rest.

But faced with a defense even tougher than Baltimore's, Flacco finally found himself asked to do more. And then the Ravens remembered that rookies don't lead teams to Super Bowls. And because of that -- and the best defense in the league -- Pittsburgh is headed to the Super Bowl.

AFC Championship Images

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (R) dives for a touchdown past Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed in the second quarter in the NFL's AFC Championship football game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Matt Sullivan (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree219166) [Photo via Newscom]

Matt Sullivan, Reuters

Baltimore Ravens' Ray Lewis pauses on the field as a teammate lies injured during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL's AFC Championship football game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Matt Sullivan (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree219372) [Photo via Newscom]

Matt Sullivan, Reuters

PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Safety Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates his touchdown with defensive end Brett Keisel #99, safety Tyrone Carter #23 and linebacker LaMarr Woodley #56 against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Troy Polamalu;Brett Keisel;Tyrone Carter;LaMarr Woodley

Gregory Shamus, Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Running back Willis McGahee #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs in a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Willis McGahee

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PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Wide receiver Hines Ward#86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball against Haruki Nakamura of the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Haruki Nakamura;Hines Ward

Gregory Shamus, Getty Images

Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee (23) fumbles as he is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers' Ryan Clark after a pass catch in the fourth quarter of the NFL AFC championship football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009. McGahee was injured on the play and left the game. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Julie Jacobson, AP

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is stopped on fourth down by the Pittsburgh Steelers defense during the first quarter in the NFL's AFC Championship football game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Pam Panchak (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree219164) [Photo via Newscom]

Pam Panchak, Reuters

PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Nate Washington #85 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts to make a reception against Frank Walker #41, Jim Leonhard #36 and Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nate Washington;Frank Walker;Jim Leonhard;Ed Reed

Gregory Shamus, Getty Images

Asked to drive the Ravens 86 yards for a potentially game-winning touchdown, Flacco threw straight at Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, who returned the pick 40 yards for a touchdown that even Ed Reed would have to respect. Polamalu's interception was the clincher, as Pittsburgh earned its second trip to the Super Bowl in four years with a 23-14 win.

Flacco ended up completing only 13-of-30 passes for 141 yards. He was sacked four times and picked off three times while throwing for just six first downs. The Steelers defense, which allowed more than 300 yards only once all season, held the Ravens to 198.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could watch from the other sideline and smile. Four years ago, he was in the same spot -- a rookie quarterback in over his head in the AFC Championship game. Roethlisberger threw three interceptions that day, which played a big part in the Patriots' trip to the Super Bowl. He learned his lesson however; a year later he threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns in the AFC Championship game against the Broncos, earning a trip to his first Super Bowl. He threw for another 255 yards against the Ravens on Sunday -- since his three-interception debacle, he's now thrown 62 passes in AFC Championship games without throwing another one.

Roethlisberger was sacked four times, but his ability to buy time again and again was crucial for the Steelers. He did just that to connect with Hines Ward on a 45-yard pass on the first drive of the game, then threw off his back foot for a 65-yard touchdown to Santonio Holmes that gave Pittsburgh a 13-0 lead.

Baltimore's best success actually came when Steelers punter Mitch Berger dropped back to punt. Returner Jim Leonhard set up the Ravens first touchdown with a 45-yard return to the Steelers 17. Baltimore's other score came after Berger barely connected with a 21-yard punt.

It was Pittsburgh's third win over the Ravens this year, and as expected it was a game that left both teams limping. Hines Ward left the game in the first quarter after suffering a knee injury. Ravens cornerbacks Frank Walker and Corey Ivy both limped off, although both returned. But the scariest injury came in the final four minutes, when Ravens running back Willis McGahee was carried off on a back board after a hard hit from Steelers safety Ryan Clark.

Latest NFL Photos

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco walks off the field after losing the NFL AFC championship football game 23-14 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 23-14 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Pittsburgh Steelers Tyrone Carter (23) celebrates his interception against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter in the NFL's AFC Championship football game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Matt Sullivan (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Pittsburgh Steelers' Tyrone Carter (R) celebrates his interception with teammate Deshea Townsend against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter in the NFL's AFC Championship football game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Matt Sullivan (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu runs for a touchdown past Baltimore Ravens defenders after intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter in the NFL's AFC Championship football game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee is carried off the field on a stretcher after being hit by Pittsburgh Steelers' Ryan Clark after a pass catch in the fourth quarter of the NFL AFC championship football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Running back Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens is taken off the field on a backboard by medical presonel after he was hit hard by Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Willis McGahee

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PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC Championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ben Roethlisberger

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