Joey Porter Jr. Stands Firm on Controversial No-TD Call in Ravens-Steelers Clash: “It’s a Drop”
Week 14 brought its fair share of drama, but few moments stirred the pot quite like the late-game reversal in the AFC North showdown between the Ravens and Steelers. With just under three minutes to play and Baltimore trailing by five, tight end Isaiah Likely looked like he’d hauled in the go-ahead touchdown - until replay review stepped in.
Officials ruled that Likely didn’t complete the process of the catch before Steelers rookie corner Joey Porter Jr. knocked the ball loose. The score was wiped off the board, and the Ravens’ hopes of a comeback took a serious hit.
On Monday, Porter didn’t shy away from the spotlight when asked about the play that’s had Ravens fans fuming ever since.
“It’s a drop. Close though. It was really close,” Porter said, acknowledging the razor-thin margin that led to the call.
Close or not, the result stood. And so did Pittsburgh’s defense.
After the overturned touchdown, the Steelers clamped down twice more on Baltimore’s offense to seal a 27-22 win - a victory that didn’t just carry emotional weight, but real playoff implications. The win pushed Pittsburgh to 7-6 and into sole possession of first place in the AFC North. The Ravens, meanwhile, slipped to 6-7 and second in the division.
For Porter, the moment was personal - and not just because of the stakes.
“I was just fighting because I was like, man, this can't be my first touchdown I'll give up,” he said. **“Especially not to a tight end.
I was just fighting, I was just raking, and [the ball] finally came out.” **
It’s that relentless mentality that’s helped Porter carve out a reputation as one of the most competitive young corners in the league. The 2023 first-rounder has already shown flashes of being a future shutdown guy, and Sunday’s effort was another step in that direction. According to Porter, once he saw the replay, the ruling made sense.
“He didn’t get the third step, so incomplete,” he added.
Whether you agree with the call or not, the Steelers capitalized on the moment - and Porter believes that’s exactly what December football demands.
“We’ve been trying to say we’ve been going on this December run and pick up what we’ve been slacking,” he said. **“So, it’s December ball.
This is where it really matters the most. Where you can really make your plays and make your money.”
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Porter’s message to his teammates? Now’s the time to cash in - not just in the standings, but in the moments that define a season.
The Steelers will get a front-row seat to see how Baltimore responds when the Ravens take on the Bengals in Cincinnati this Sunday. Then it’s a primetime test for Pittsburgh, hosting the Dolphins on Monday Night Football in a game that could have serious playoff ramifications.
As of Tuesday morning, the Steelers are three-point home favorites. But in a December stretch where every snap matters, Porter’s mindset might be the biggest edge Pittsburgh has - a young corner playing like a seasoned vet, and a team starting to believe it can make a real run.