Ben Roethlisberger threw for six touchdowns for the second week in a row to guide the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 43-23 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in their AFC North clash.
The Ravens started the game well as Joe Flacco threw a deep pass downfield for wide receiver Torrey Smith, who beat the coverage of the Steelers' cornerbacks to run in for a 35-yard touchdown.
The home side were struggling to get into a rhythm on offense, but an error from Lorenzo Taliaferro handed them a way back into the game as the back's fumble was picked up by Brice McCain, and only a good tackle from Flacco saved a touchdown.
However, Roethlisberger soon levelled the scores as he threw a strike to Le'Veon Bell in the endzone for a five-yard score.
Baltimore made another error when Flacco was hit by James Harrison as he tried to throw a deep pass, but his attempt was intercepted by Jason Worilds.
Roethlisberger took over and made the visitors pay as he fired his side ahead with a 19-yard touchdown strike to Martavis Bryant.
The visitors hit back with a field goal through Justin Tucker to bring them within four points, but Pittsburgh extended their advantage when Roethlisberger notched his third touchdown of the night, finding Markus Wheaton for a 47-yard score.
Neither side could add to the scoreline in the third quarter as both defenses tightened in what became an ill-tempered game, with both coaches being warned about the conduct of their players following on-the-field melees.
The Steelers extended their lead early in the fourth quarter when Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown on a comeback route. Brown managed to turn and find a gap in the defense and he ran into the endzone for the 54-yard score.
However, from the ensuing kickoff Jacoby Jones collected the ball and found a crease in the Steelers line and ran all the way down the left sideline to score the 108-yard touchdown.
Roethlisberger and his offense kept taking the game away from the Ravens as he drove his team downfield with ease. The quarterback notched his fifth touchdown of the game when he drilled the ball to Bryant on a slant for an 18-yard score.
Baltimore tried to get themselves back in the match once more and Flacco found Crockett Gillmore for a one-yard score, although their attempt at a two-point conversion failed.
Roethlisberger broke the NFL record for the most touchdowns in a two-week span when he threw for his sixth strike for the second consecutive week, connecting with Matt Spaeth to seal his side's victory.
Simon Sinclair
