In one of the fiercest rivalries over the last ten years featuring some of the NFL’s most notable players, it was a few backup players that made their marks in very memorable fashion.

Dennis Dixon, third string quarterback, can be added to the list of notable Steelers that already includes Troy Polamalu, Plaxico Burress, Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward.

Paul Kruger can be welcomed to the club that includes Shannon Sharpe, Tony Siragusa, Ed Reed and Ray Lewis.

With 6:42 left to play during overtime, Kruger intercepted a pass from Dixon to set up Billy Cundiff’s field goal of 29 yards to give Baltimore a 20-17 victory on Sunday night over Pittsburgh.

Dixon was the starting quarterback because Roethlisberger was sidelined due to a concussion along with Charlie Batch, the backup, out due to his left wrist being broken. In two seasons Dixon had only thrown one pass before starting versus the Ravens.

Dixon, for most of the game, did his best to impersonate Roethlisberger. He connected with Santonio Holmes on a touchdown pass of 33 yards and added a running touchdown of 24 yards to give the Steelers a fourth quarter 17-14 lead.

Mike Tomlin, Steelers coach said, throughout the game I liked his demeanor. He made plays. He represented himself well.

However during overtime the only turnover by Dixon led to Baltimore (6-5) getting the victory.

Ray Rice, Ravens running back who rallied his team during overtime said, this boosts our confidence. Not only to get the win against a team this great with their legacy, but also against a division opponent. Right now it’s a season of five games for us.

Pittsburgh (6-5) have lost three games in a row, their longest losing streak since 2006 when they lost three straight.

Tomlin said, we won’t go gently. We aren’t going into a shell. We will be in attack mode. That’s what is needed.

Kruger, playing for Terrell Suggs, injured linebacker, intercepted the pass and was able to return the ball 26 yards down to Pittsburgh’s 28 yard line. Six plays later the game winner was delivered by Cundiff, giving the Raven’s their first win in overtime since November 2005 versus the Steelers.

Kruger, a rookie who was playing in just his fourth game said, to be part of this win is really big for me. The play was designed to be a blitz with me being the dropper who was in the right place and at just the right time.

The situation was that they had been disguising the blitz all throughout the entire game, said Dixon. We did see it. Basically I tried to just trust my instincts. Their guy made a very good play.

The last two losses for Pittsburgh have come during overtime. Dixon was 12 out of 26 for a total of 145 yards. Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 95 yard in 24 attempts.

Tomlin said, don’t talk about moral victories to me and things like that.

Joe Flacco went 23 for 35 passing for a total of 289 yards with one touchdown. The win keeps Baltimore right in the middle of the hunt for the playoffs.

Flacco said, you need to be ready for playing 60 minutes. We played more today. It feels good. That is what we needed to have. It was even bigger against this team.

The game on Sunday featured a rematch of the AFC championship game last season when Pittsburgh finished off a sweep of three games against the Ravens with their 24-13 win.

With Roethlisberger on the sidelines in full uniform looking on while Dixon, the third string quarterback, on third down and five ran to the right for a touchdown from the Ravens 24 yard line to give Pittsburgh their first lead in the game, 17-14, with only 6:24 remaining.

However, the Ravens were able to come back. Flacco, facing a fourth down and five from the Ravens 46 yard line, connected with Rice on a 44 yard pass, setting up a field goal of 24 yards by Cundiff with just 1:51 left to play.

On the last play in regulation, Cundiff was short on a field goal attempt of 56 yards.

During the third quarter the Steelers were able to close the game to 14-10 with Jeff Reed’s field goal of 44 yards, capping a drive of 24 yards that featured a pass of 20 yards from Dixon over to Mendenhall.

Late second quarter Baltimore went ahead 14-7 on a drive of 89 yards. Flacco completed 11 and 54 yard passes to Mark Clayton, and then connected on a 10 yard scoring pass with Derrick Mason.

On Pittsburgh’s first possession Dixon’s first pass was almost intercepted by Baltimore. They were forced to punt. Then Willis McGahee capped a drive of 73 yards with a run of 2 yards to give Baltimore their first offensive touchdown during the first half since October 4.

On the second drive for Pittsburgh, Dixon’s 31 yard impromptu run was wiped out due to a holding penalty. However the next time Dixon got the ball there weren’t any flaws. Dixon went a perfect 3 for 3 and a total of 60 yards, capped off with his touchdown pass over to Holmes.