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Controversial call could have changed AFC North race
Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) runs with the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Controversial call could have changed AFC North race for Steelers, Ravens

The most pivotal game on the NFL Week 14 schedule was the first-place meeting between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North. Thanks to the Steelers' 27-22 win, they reclaim the top spot in the AFC North and are back in the driver's seat for the division.

The winner and loser of this game were going to see their playoff probabilities take massive swings, and it is the Steelers bouncing back from an embarrassing performance a week ago against the Buffalo Bills to get the win.

There was a controversial call late in the fourth quarter that helped them get that win.

Isaiah Likely's potential go-ahead touchdown is overturned 

With the Steelers leading by five points late in the fourth quarter, the Ravens thought they took the lead when quarterback Lamar Jackson found tight end Isaiah Likely over the middle for an apparent touchdown.

After replay review, however, it was determined that Likely did not possess the ball through a third football move to make it a completed pass and touchdown.

The Ravens ended up getting stopped on fourth down on that drive. On their ensuing possession to end the game, Jackson was sacked by Steelers Edge rusher Alex Highsmith on the final play of regulation. 

Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked about the call after the game, saying the officials told him Likely did not get a third foot down, which is why the play was overturned.

He did not offer much analysis as to whether or not he agreed, and instead turned his attention to another controversial call earlier in the fourth quarter when the Ravens thought they had intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass that could have set them up inside the Steelers' 35-yard line.

Instead of being ruled an interception, replay review determined that Rodgers had caught his own batted pass and was down by contact before the Ravens wrestled it away. 

The Ravens ended up getting possession of the football back on a punt, but it was a massive swing in field position. 

Those two calls played a big role in the outcome of the game.

The outcome of the game could potentially play a big role in who wins the AFC North.

The Steelers are now back in the top spot, with the tiebreaker, while the Ravens have to play one of the NFL's toughest remaining schedules over the next four weeks, with the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals and a Week 18 rematch with the Steelers all remaining. 

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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