Game story
In Week 16 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-12-27, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Baltimore Ravens, pulling away with a 23–20 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with -0.55 total EPA, and -9.8% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, T. Heap (Baltimore Ravens) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.47 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-19.4% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (9:23) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 10-S.Holmes INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Foxworth at PIT 46. 24-D.Foxworth to PIT 27 for 19 yards. Returned for a touchdown. Penalty marked off from spot
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 6 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 23 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Heap · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +5.47 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.82 EPA/play
- 2 M. Wallace · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.73 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
- 3 H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.61 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 4 D. Mason · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +1.60 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
- 5 W. Parker · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +0.69 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
- 6 T. Grisham · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.68 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
- 7 S. Holmes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.37 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play
- 8 R. Rice · Baltimore Ravens · Receiving · +0.17 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Heap — BAL · Receiving
T. Heap posted the highest total EPA (+5.47) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Baltimore Ravens's efficiency. Across 3 counted snaps, they averaged +1.82 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.17 EPA) came from Pittsburgh Steelers: (9:24) 34-R.Mendenhall left tackle to PIT 37 for -1 yards (25-C.Carr). FUMBLES (25-C.Carr), touched at PIT 37, RECOVERED by BAL-52-R.Lewis at PIT 31. 52-R.Lewis to PIT 30 for 1 yard (78-M.Starks).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — R. Mendenhall
- Baltimore Ravens — T. Heap (J. Flacco pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Holmes (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Baltimore Ravens — T. Heap (J. Flacco pass)
Field goals
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed
- Baltimore Ravens — B. Cundiff
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed
- Baltimore Ravens — B. Cundiff
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 6–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the BAL 8 (Q1 54:25) — (9:25) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Baltimore Ravens connected on a field goal from the PIT 9 (Q1 50:22) — (5:22) (Field Goal formation) 7-B.Cundiff 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the BAL 21 (Q1 46:13) — (1:13) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the BAL 4 (Q2 42:59) — (12:59) 34-R.Mendenhall left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the BAL 2 (Q2 42:52) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the PIT 30 (Q2 40:02) — (10:02) #65 Chester reports as eligible receiver. 5-J.Flacco pass deep left to 86-T.Heap for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 39:55) — 7-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the BAL 24 (Q2 30:44); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the BAL 2 (Q2 30:35) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..
The third quarter: Baltimore Ravens won the period 10–0. Baltimore Ravens found the end zone from the PIT 7 (Q3 24:36) — (9:36) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short right to 86-T.Heap for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Baltimore Ravens added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 24:30) — (Kick formation) 7-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch.; Baltimore Ravens connected on a field goal from the PIT 17 (Q3 21:20) — (6:20) (Field Goal formation) 7-B.Cundiff 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the BAL 20 (Q4 5:30) — (5:30) 3-J.Reed 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 24:23) — (9:23) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 10-S.Holmes INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Foxworth at PIT 46. 24-D.Foxworth to PIT 27 for 19 yards. Returned for a touchdown. Penalty marked off from spot
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 39:24) — (9:24) 34-R.Mendenhall left tackle to PIT 37 for -1 yards (25-C.Carr). FUMBLES (25-C.Carr), touched at PIT 37, RECOVERED by BAL-52-R.Lewis at PIT 31. 52-R.Lewis to PIT 30 for 1 yard (78-M.Starks).
- Baltimore Ravens (Q2 39:16) — (9:16) 27-R.Rice left end to PIT 26 for 4 yards (92-J.Harrison). FUMBLES (92-J.Harrison), RECOVERED by PIT-24-I.Taylor at PIT 26. 24-I.Taylor to PIT 27 for 1 yard (27-R.Rice).
- Baltimore Ravens (Q4 2:34) — (2:34) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco sacked at PIT 43 for -5 yards (56-L.Woodley). FUMBLES (56-L.Woodley), RECOVERED by PIT-96-E.Hood at PIT 43. 96-E.Hood to PIT 42 for -1 yards (73-M.Yanda).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 31:11) — (1:11) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 17-M.Wallace to PIT 49 for 45 yards (41-F.Walker). Penalty on BAL-55-T.Suggs, Defensive Offside, declined.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 39:24) — (9:24) 34-R.Mendenhall left tackle to PIT 37 for -1 yards (25-C.Carr). FUMBLES (25-C.Carr), touched at PIT 37, RECOVERED by BAL-52-R.Lewis at PIT 31. 52-R.Lewis to PIT 30 for 1 yard (78-M.Starks).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 24:23) — (9:23) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 10-S.Holmes INTERCEPTED by 24-D.Foxworth at PIT 46. 24-D.Foxworth to PIT 27 for 19 yards. Returned for a touchdown. Penalty marked off from spot
- Baltimore Ravens (Q2 39:16) — (9:16) 27-R.Rice left end to PIT 26 for 4 yards (92-J.Harrison). FUMBLES (92-J.Harrison), RECOVERED by PIT-24-I.Taylor at PIT 26. 24-I.Taylor to PIT 27 for 1 yard (27-R.Rice).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 30:44) — (:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 10-S.Holmes for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on BAL-28-T.Zbikowski, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced between downs.
Quarterback report card
B.Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 40 dropbacks · 42.5% completion · -9.8% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.55 total EPA
- J.Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) · 33 dropbacks · 39.4% completion · +0.7% CPOE · -0.06 EPA/play · -1.90 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Baltimore Ravens | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.036 | -0.041 |
| Offensive success rate | 43.7% | 41.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.058 | -0.014 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.114 | -0.369 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.041 | +0.036 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.2% | 56.3% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Baltimore Ravens -0.04, Pittsburgh Steelers -0.04) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Baltimore Ravens: 12 drives, -3.13 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, -3.23 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- T. Heap (Baltimore Ravens) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 54:25 · BAL 8 · Score 0-3
(9:25) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda. - Baltimore Ravens FG (+3) — Q1 50:22 · PIT 9 · Score 3-3
(5:22) (Field Goal formation) 7-B.Cundiff 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 46:13 · BAL 21 · Score 3-6
(1:13) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 42:59 · BAL 4 · Score 3-12
(12:59) 34-R.Mendenhall left guard for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 42:52 · BAL 2 · Score 3-13
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda. - Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q2 40:02 · PIT 30 · Score 9-13
(10:02) #65 Chester reports as eligible receiver. 5-J.Flacco pass deep left to 86-T.Heap for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q2 39:55 · PIT 2 · Score 10-13
7-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:44 · BAL 24 · Score 10-19
(:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 10-S.Holmes for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on BAL-28-T.Zbikowski, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enfor - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:35 · BAL 2 · Score 10-20
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda. - Baltimore Ravens TD (+6) — Q3 24:36 · PIT 7 · Score 16-20
(9:36) (Shotgun) 5-J.Flacco pass short right to 86-T.Heap for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Baltimore Ravens XP (+1) — Q3 24:30 · PIT 2 · Score 17-20
(Kick formation) 7-B.Cundiff extra point is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch. - Baltimore Ravens FG (+3) — Q3 21:20 · PIT 17 · Score 20-20
(6:20) (Field Goal formation) 7-B.Cundiff 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-70-M.Katula, Holder-4-S.Koch. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 5:30 · BAL 20 · Score 20-23
(5:30) 3-J.Reed 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-61-J.Retkofsky, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 in Week 16, 2009 on 2009-12-27.
What was the final score of Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was Baltimore Ravens 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 23 (BAL 20-23 PIT) in Week 16, 2009 on 2009-12-27.
What was the score by quarter in Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Baltimore Ravens 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 6; Q2: Baltimore Ravens 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Q3: Baltimore Ravens 10, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q4: Baltimore Ravens 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 3; Final: Baltimore Ravens 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 23.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — R. Mendenhall (Q2 42:59) Baltimore Ravens touchdown — T. Heap (J. Flacco pass) (Q2 40:02) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — S. Holmes (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 30:44) Baltimore Ravens touchdown — T. Heap (J. Flacco pass) (Q3 24:36) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q1 54:25, 3 pts) Baltimore Ravens field goal — B. Cundiff (Q1 50:22, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q1 46:13, 3 pts) Baltimore Ravens field goal — B. Cundiff (Q3 21:20, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q4 5:30, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 42.5% completion, -9.8% CPOE, -0.01 EPA per dropback, -0.55 total passing EPA. J. Flacco (Baltimore Ravens), 39.4% completion, +0.7% CPOE, -0.06 EPA per dropback, -1.90 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
T. Heap (Baltimore Ravens) led the game in total EPA with +5.47 on receiving plays. across 3 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.17 EPA): (9:24) 34-R.Mendenhall left tackle to PIT 37 for -1 yards (25-C.Carr). FUMBLES (25-C.Carr), touched at PIT 37, RECOVERED by BAL-52-R.Lewis at PIT 31. 52-R.Lewis to PIT 30 for 1 yar. The biggest win-probability swing was -19.4%.
Was Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 23-20 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Baltimore Ravens
Entered 8-6 Now 8-7 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 7-7 Now 8-7 W
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