NFL: Kruger pick sets up Ravens victory

BALTIMORE — Third-string quarterback Dennis Dixon was doing a fine job for the Pittsburgh Steelers in his first NFL start — until he was forced to work overtime.

An interception by rookie Paul Kruger set up a 29-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff with 6:42 left in the extra session, giving the Baltimore Ravens a 20-17 victory Sunday night.

Dixon started because Ben Roethlisberger was sidelined with a concussion and backup Charlie Batch had a broken left wrist. Dixon had thrown only one pass in two seasons before getting the nod against the Ravens.

For much of the game, Dixon did his best impersonation of Roethlisberger. He threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes, and even added a personal touch, running for a 24-yard touchdown to put Pittsburgh up 17-14 in the fourth quarter.

But in overtime, his lone turnover provided the Ravens (6-5) a much-needed win and sent the Steelers (6-5) to their third straight defeat — their longest skid since a three-game run in 2006.

The game was a rematch of last season's AFC championship, when Pittsburgh completed a three-game sweep of the Ravens with a 24-13 victory.