Ravens Fall Despite Late Case Work

Stoney Case once again worked his magic for the Baltimore Ravens in the closing minutes. His mistake was leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers enough time to undo his handiwork.

Will Blackwell returned a kickoff 37 yards to midfield after Case tied the score with his first NFL touchdown pass, and Kris Brown kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired to give the Pittsburgh Steelers a 23-20 victory Sunday.

Pittsburgh (2-0) scored 10 points off Baltimore turnovers and never trailed, which was enough to overcome the dissatisfaction that Coach Bill Cowher felt after watching Case bring the Ravens (0-2) even with 1:22 left.

“I was very disappointed in the drive at the end of the game. But we made some plays,” Cowher said. “We’re creating a lot of turnovers and not turning the ball over. That’s the key.”

Case, who produced two wins in the exhibition season with last-minute touchdown passes, struggled after taking over for an ineffective Scott Mitchell in the third quarter. He fumbled in his second series and Pittsburgh recovered to set up a field goal and a 17-10 lead.

It was 20-13 when Case got his final chance and, as usual, he saved his best for last. He moved the Ravens 72 yards in six plays to tie the score, 20-20.

Case kept the drive alive with a 26-yard pass to Justin Armour on third and nine, connected with Jermaine Lewis for a 19-yard gain and ultimately hooked up with Qadry Ismail for a 19-yard touchdown.

But the jubilation on the Baltimore sideline didn’t last long. After Blackwell’s kickoff return, two completions by Kordell Stewart set up Brown’s third field goal.

New Baltimore Coach Brian Billick would not say who his starting quarterback would be against Cleveland next week.