NFL: Josh Scobee misses, Justin Tucker doesn’t in Ravens’ OT victory

Josh Scobee couldn’t. Twice.

Justin Tucker could. Twice.

The big-legged Baltimore kicker hit a 42-yard field goal to tie the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final seconds of regulation and made a 52-yarder with 5:08 left in overtime to give the visiting Ravens a 23-20 victory Thursday night.

Scobee had two chances to give the Steelers some cushion late in the fourth quarter only to pull both kicks wide left. The second miss gave the Ravens (1-3) enough time to put Tucker well within range to send the game to an extra period.

Pittsburgh then twice opted to go for it on fourth down in Baltimore territory in overtime rather than send Scobee out for a long attempt into the tricky wind at the open end of Heinz Field. Michael Vick, starting in place of injured Ben Roethlisberger, was stopped on fourth-and-2 at the 39 and later overthrew Antonio Brown on fourth-and-1 from the 33.

Neither Vick or Scobee would get a third shot. Joe Flacco led the Ravens to the 35 and Tucker’s winner was never in doubt.

Justin Forsett ran for 150 yards for the Ravens.

Vick threw for 124 yards and a score and Le’Veon Bell ran for 129 yards and a touchdown by the Steelers (2-2) bumbled late.

For most of the night, it appeared Pittsburgh would survive with Roethlisberger relegated to a sweat suit after spraining his left knee last week against St. Louis.

The Steelers sacked Flacco five times, forced a pair of turnovers and twice stopped the Ravens on fourth downs in the fourth quarter to seemingly seize control only to have Scobee let Baltimore back in it.

Scobee, acquired from Jacksonville in August after injuries to Shaun Suisham and Garrett Hartley, saw a 49-yard attempt sail wide with 2:24 to go. Scobee kicked another one wide left with a minute left.

The Ravens took seven plays to set Tucker up for the 42-yarder to tie it with 3 seconds left.

Quick kicks

Christine Michael is getting work with the first team out of the Dallas backfield, an indication the third-year running back could be close to his debut with the Cowboys. Michael came in a trade with Seattle three weeks ago. … The Chicago Bears hope to get quarterback Jay Cutler back for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders and are preparing to go with Jimmy Clausen again if he is not ready. Cutler practiced Thursday on a limited basis for the second consecutive day after sitting out last week’s 26-0 loss at Seattle because of a pulled hamstring. … Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan ruled out running back LeSean McCoy and receiver Sammy Watkins from playing against the New York Giants on Sunday. McCoy is sitting out to rest a left hamstring injury that’s nagged him since he was hurt Aug. 18. Watkins was sidelined after hurting his right calf in a win at Miami on Sunday. … Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn said he expects receiver Julio Jones will be “ready to rock” on Sunday against the Houston Texans despite a new toe injury. … The Denver Broncos agreed to a one-year deal with veteran offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus and released safety Josh Bush. Polumbus was released by the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday. … The Cleveland Browns hired Paul Dunn as an assistant line coach to succeed Andy Moeller, who parted ways with the team following a domestic violence complaint. … The return of New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is on hold. Coach Tom Coughlin says Cruz will not play Sunday against Buffalo after aggravating a calf injury Wednesday.