One of the more controversial NFL moments of Week 14 involved the Baltimore Ravens having a go-ahead touchdown taken off the scoreboard with 2:47 left in their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Replay review determined that Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely didn’t complete the action of the catch before Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. knocked the football out of Likely’s hands.
While speaking with reporters on Monday, Porter addressed the play that has Ravens fans upset days after the fact.
Joey Porter Jr. has no doubt about Isaiah Likely play
“I’ve seen it,” Porter said, per Teresa Varley of the Steelers’ website. “It’s a drop. Close though. It was really close.”
The Steelers’ defense ultimately stopped the Ravens’ offense on two occasions to secure a 27-22 win that improved Pittsburgh to 7-6 and gave the club sole possession of first place in the AFC North standings. Meanwhile, the Ravens dropped to 6-7 and to second place in the division.
“I was just fighting because I was like, man, this can’t be my first touchdown I’ll give up,” Porter said about battling with Likely. “Especially not to a tight end. I was just fighting, I was just raking, and [the ball] finally came out. So, at that point, it’s really up to the refs how they call it. But then, after I looked at it, he didn’t get the third step, so incomplete.”
Joey Porter Jr. challenges Steelers players to “make your money” when it matters most
The Steelers will be able to watch the Ravens play at the Cincinnati Bengals (4-9) on Sunday before Pittsburgh hosts the Miami Dolphins (6-7) for a “Monday Night Football” clash on Dec. 15. On Monday, Porter indicated the Steelers are ready to play their best football of the campaign over the final four weeks of the regular season.
“We’ve been trying to say we’ve been going on this December run and pick up what we’ve been slacking,” Porter added. “So, it’s December ball. This is where it really matters the most. Where you can really make your plays and make your money. We’re all locked in. We’re all really motivated to keep putting good football out there.”
As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Steelers as three-point home favorites over the Dolphins.
