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.
