Plays of the Year: Joey Porter Jr. picks off Lamar Jackson for key Steelers turnover

Steel City Underground presents “Plays of the Year” featuring the top runs, catches, hits and everything else in-between from the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 season.

Things were looking grim early in the Week 5 NFL match between the Pittsburgh Steelers and visiting Baltimore Ravens. One thing that can be counted on in games between these AFC North rivals, though, is that the score will be close. Physical play. Little room for error.

In the third quarter, the Steelers experienced an error when Gunner Olszewski handled a punt return and fumbled as he was hit by defenders and teammate Connor Heyward after Chris Boswell got Pittsburgh within two points of the Ravens on the scoreboard.

No one, except maybe Joey Porter Jr., expected what happened on third-and-goal from the Pittsburgh five-yard line.

“I already kind of had that in the back of my mind they were going to try me on that play,” – Joey Porter Jr.

Veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. lined up on the outside and when Lamar Jackson snapped the ball, he opted to test Pittsburgh’s rookie cornerback. Porter wasn’t having any of it. He maintained body position and took the pass away.

Porter’s first official NFL interception resulted in a touchback and gave the Steelers offense the ball right back. Pittsburgh then took just eight plays to get down the field to score a touchdown and take the 14-10 lead.

The Steelers would rebound after a Week 4 loss with a 17-10 Week 5 win over the Ravens to improve to a 3-2 record.