1. Polamalu’s pick-6 in AFC Championship – Jan. 18, 2009
It was such a disappointing way to end an unexpectedly wonderful year for a team from which little was expected entering the season.
A magical run to the conference championship game — led by a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback — came down to a late drive and opportunity to advance to the Super Bowl. Joe Flacco and the Ravens trailed 16-14 with under five minutes to play, facing a third-and-13 from their own 29-yard line.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdh5u1KM3ck[/youtube]
The replay is still difficult to watch for Baltimoreans as Troy Polamalu picked off Flacco’s third-down pass and took it to the end zone, finishing the Ravens’ title hopes and sending the Steelers to the Super Bowl and eventually their sixth world title.
The 23-14 loss is the only choice for the most disappointing Baltimore moment in the history of the rivalry, but it does nothing to diminish what was arguably the greatest season in franchise history behind the 2000 Super Bowl championship team.
Need a pick-me-up after a sobering reminder of past disappointment? Check out the top 5 Baltimore moments of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry.
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
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