Steelers commit 7 turnovers in 35-7 loss to Baltimore
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Steelers' Ike Taylor helps to hold the flag during the National Anthem before the game. -
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is sacked by the Ravens Jarret Johnson in the first half. -
Steelers tight end Heath Miller looses control of a pass from Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter against the Ravens. -
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hugs Mike Wallace after throwing a touchdown against the Ravens.
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BALTIMORE -- The Pittsburgh Steelers, who did not lose a turnover in four preseason games, apparently saved them all up for their opener today -- seven of them, the most ever in a game for the Ravens.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions, lost two fumbles on sacks by Terrell Suggs and lost another on a handoff exchange. Halfback Mewelde Moore also fumbled at the Ravens' 17 after a 22-yard reception.
Suggs sacked Roethlisberger three times, ending the game with his third.
Those seven turnovers helped the Baltimore Ravens run over the Steelers, 35-7, their worst opening-day loss since Dallas beat them 37-7 to start the 1997 season.
The Ravens scored early and often, jumping out to a first-quarter lead of 14-0 and were ahead 21-7 at the half.
PG VIDEO: STEELERS REPORTJoe Flacco, who had never beaten the Steelers in a game in which Roethlisberger had played, threw three touchdown passes -- 27 yards to Anquan Boldin, 11 yards to Ray Rice and 18 yards to Ed Dickson.
Ed Reed intercepted two passes for the Ravens, both near his own goal line to prevent possible Steelers scores.
The Steelers defense was gouged once again by Rice, who became the first 100-yard rusher against them since he did it with 141 yards on Dec. 27, 2009, at Heinz Field.
Baltimore had no turnovers in the game and Flacco was sacked just once, by LaMarr Woodley.
Not only did the Steelers NFL-long winning streak in season openers end at 8 games, they now have lost two straight, counting the Super Bowl.
The Steelers' only points came on an 11-yard pass from Roethlisberger to Emmanuel Sanders in the second quarter, cutting Baltimore's lead at the time to 14-7.
First Published September 11, 2011 1:52 pm
