Tag: Shaun Suisham

When’s the last time Steelers played Ravens in NFL playoffs? What fans need to know

The Steelers and Ravens will take their rivalry to 2024’s AFC Wild-Card round. Here’s a look back at their thrilling postseason history.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Baltimore Ravens this Saturday, January 11, 2024, in this season’s Wild-Card round of the playoffs. The Steel City has faced its AFC North rivals four times previously, and the postseason history between these two foes is rich with competitive spirit. Here is a historical look at how the previous four playoff meetings between the Steelers and Ravens played out.

2001 Playoffs: Divisional Round

The Pittsburgh Steelers faced the reigning Super Bowl XXXV champions, the Baltimore Ravens, in the divisional round of the 2001 playoffs on January 20, 2002. It was the first postseason meeting between the two teams, and Pittsburgh made sure to end the Ravens’ aspirations of back-to-back Super Bowl victories with a 27-10 Steelers win. One Steeler who stood out was none other than RB Amos Zereoué, who helped seal the victory with two rushing touchdowns on the night.

2008 Playoffs: AFC Championship Game

The second meeting between these AFC North rivals took place during the 2008 season in the AFC Championship Game on January 18, 2009. Once again, the Black and Gold ended the Ravens’ playoff hopes, sending Baltimore packing with a 23-14 Steelers victory. This game featured one of the most iconic plays in Steelers postseason history, as SS Troy Polamalu intercepted Ravens QB Joe Flacco and returned it 40 yards for a pick-six late in the fourth quarter.

2010 Playoffs: Divisional Round

Pittsburgh’s postseason dominance over Baltimore continued in the 2010 season’s divisional round on January 15, 2011. The Ravens gave the Steel City a tough fight, but the Steelers ultimately prevailed, securing the Pittsburgh victory, 31-24. One of the standout performances of the game came from FS Ryan Clark, who forced a fumble on Ravens RB Ray Rice and intercepted Ravens QB Joe Flacco.

2014 Playoffs: Wild-Card Round

All good things must come to an end, and so did the Steelers’ perfect postseason record against the Ravens on January 3, 2015, in the 2014 season’s Wild-Card round. There was little for the Black and Gold faithful to cheer for in this matchup, as both the offense and defense struggled mightily, leading to a 30-17 Steelers loss. A bright spot for Pittsburgh was K Shaun Suisham, who accounted for nine of the team’s 17 total points.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

The best kicker in Washington’s NFL history

Who is the best kicker in Washington’s franchise history since Mark Moseley?

Who is the best kicker in Washington’s NFL football history?

A similar question was raised on Twitter Sunday in the following fashion:

The question resulted in many responses, and the overwhelming response was Chip Lohmiller.

Lohmiller indeed saw success while kicking for the Burgundy and Gold (1988-94). It is not altogether surprising that most respondents chose Lohmiller. From 1988-92 Washington won 7, 10, 10, 14,  and 9 games. Thus with Washington winning many more games than they were losing, fans easily associate their kicker of those years as the best kicker.

Lohmiller was a good athlete. In fact he loved running down on kickoff coverage and getting in the action from time to time. Lohmiller also experienced some very good games, demonstrating his kicking skill, such as a 1991 Monday Night Football Washington win at Dallas 33-31. In that great MNF win, Lohmiller was phenomenal, connecting on kicks from 53, 52, 45 and 46 yards.

Yet, the actual success rate of Lohmiller’s kicking in his years with Washington is obviously something of which the Washington fans responding on Twitter were not aware. They will be surprised to learn that Lohmiller connected on only 175 of 245 attempts. Consequently, Lohmiller only made 71.4% of his field goal attempts with Washington.

Why did the vast majority of fans responding overwhelmingly feel Lohmiller was the best Washington kicker since Mark Moseley? Well, in theory it just might be because those teams were often much better, winning games and therefore, his misses were not as acute, not as harmful to the team’s success.

Kai Forbath meanwhile connected on 60 of his 69 attempts (87.0%). Why is his terrific kicking too often overlooked by Washington fans? Because after coming to Washington during the 2012 season, his next two seasons were his last two full seasons in Washington. Frankly, the Redskins of 2013 and 2014 were one of the absolute worst teams in the entire NFL. His success meant little to fans, because the team was still getting beaten soundly many games.

For what it is worth, five kickers in Washington NFL history have attempted at least 100 field goals. Here are the results:

  • Dustin Hopkins   163-194   84.0%
  • Shaun Suisham    81-101   80.2%
  • Chip Lohmiller    175-245  71.4%
  • Mark Moseley     263-397  66.2%
  • Curt Knight         101-175  57.7%

5 quick facts about Steelers newest WR Chase Claypool

Quick-hitting facts about Chase Claypool to study up on Pittsburgh Steelers new wide receiver.

Here are some quick facts to know about wide receiver Chase Claypool who was selected at No. 49 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2020 NFL Draft.

  • Claypool joins defensive end Stephon Tuitt and offensive tackle Jarron Jones as Notre Dame alumni on the roster.
  • In terms of measurables, Claypool draws comparisons to former Detroit Lions Pro Bowl receiver Calvin Johnson. Claypool is 6-4, 238 lbs., and ran a 4.42-40 (according to ESPN, it’s the second-fastest time for a player who weighs at least 230 pounds). Johnson is 6-5, 239 lbs., and ran a 4.4-40.
  • Claypool finished seventh in Notre Dame history in career receptions with 150. His 13 TDs in 2019 were the sixth most in a season.
  • Hailing from British Columbia, Canada, Claypool becomes the first Canadian to play for the Steelers since kicker Shaun Suisham.
  • Claypool wore No. 83 at Notre Dame. In Pittsburgh, the number was made famous by former tight end Heath Miller.

[vertical-gallery id=463103]

[lawrence-related id=463208]