The Steelers and Ravens renewed their heated rivalry sunday night. Baltimore's Kruger intercepted a Dennis Dixon pass in overtime to set up a 29-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff. The Baltimore Ravens outlasted the Steelers 20-17 in a game that was critical for both teams.

Ben Roethlisberger was expected to start during the week but was replaced by Dixon due to lingering headaches from a concussion. Dixon had thrown only one pass in two seasons before getting the nod from head coach Mike Tomlin.

Dixon performed remarkably well in the first half. He connected on a 33-yard touchdown strike to Santonio Holmes to tie the game at 7-7. He also scrambled for a 24-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter that put the Steelers in front 17-14.

“I like his demeanor throughout it all. He made some plays,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “I thought he represented himself relatively well.”

But in overtime, Dixon's lack of experience cost the Steelers with a game ending turnover.

“This is a confidence booster. Not only against a great team with a great legacy, but a division opponent,” said Ravens running back Ray Rice, who rallied Baltimore in overtime. “It sets us up for a five-game season right now.”

The Steelers have suffered three straight losses which is their longest skid since a three game run in the 2006 season. The win was Baltimore's first overtime victory since November 2005.

“To be a part of that victory is huge for me,” said Kruger, a rookie playing in only his fourth game. “It was a designed blitz. I was the dropper. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time.”

Dixon said, “It was a situation where they were disguising the blitz throughout the whole game. We saw it. I basically tried to trust my instincts. The guy made a good play.”

Dixon finished the game 12 for 26 for 145 yards, and Rashard Mendenhall gained 95 yards on 24 carries. The Ravens, Joe Flacco completed 23 of 35 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown to keep Baltimore in the thick of the playoff hunt.

“You have to be ready to play 60 minutes. Today we played more than that,” Flacco said. “It feels good. It’s what we needed. Against these guys, it’s even bigger.”

The game was a rematch of last years’s AFC championship, when the Steelers completed a three game sweep of the Ravens with a 24-13 victory.

The Ravens have won six of seven over Pittsburgh in Baltimore.