BALTIMORE -- Third-string quarterback Dennis Dixon played well in his first NFL start, yet the Steelers' defense once again could not hold a fourth-quarter lead and they lost to the Baltimore Ravens 20-17 last night in overtime.

As Ben Roethlisberger watched from the sideline amidst a swirling controversy over his status for the game, the Steelers lost their third straight for the first time under coach Mike Tomlin. It was their second straight overtime loss and at 6-5 they and Baltimore trail Cincincinnati by two games in the AFC North Division.

Dixon threw one touchdown pass, of 33 yards to Santonio Holmes, and ran 24 yards for another to give the Steelers a 17-14 lead with 6:24 left.

But Baltimore tied the game on Billy Cundiff's 24-yard field goal with 1:51 left that ended an 84-yard drive by the Ravens, and then won it in overtime after Dixon threw his only interception.

Rookie linebacker Paul Kruger intercepted a pass intended for Santonio Holmes and returned it 26 yards to the Steelers' 28. The Ravens worked their way to the Steelers 11 and Cundiff hammered home a 29-yard field goal for the Baltimore victory with 6:42 to go in overtime.

Baltimore's Billy Cundiff kicked a 24-yard field goal to tie the game with 1:51 left and then came up short from 56 yards as time in regulation expired and the Ravens and Steelers entered overtime tonight tied 17-17.

Steelers quarterback Dennix Dixon threw one touchdown pass, of 33 yards to Santonio Holmes, and ran 24 yards for another to give the Steelers a 17-14 lead with 6:24 left.

But Baltimore tied the game on Cundiff's field goal that ended an 84-yard drive by the Ravens.

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