Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has conceded that his side didn't make enough big plays to defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in their wildcard round clash at Heinz Field.
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw for two touchdowns to guide his team into the divisional round of the playoffs, while his opposite number Ben Roethlisberger failed to get into rhythm as he was intercepted twice in the contest to send his team crashing out.
Tomlin told reporters: "Not the outcome we wanted. I compliment the Ravens on their winning performance. There's some disappointment with our performance but such is life. We'll accept responsibility for that one like we have all the others. Appreciate the men's effort.
"We just got beat tonight. We didn't make enough critical plays [and] they did. Penalties at times hurt us. But we're not going to make that excuse in terms of that determining the outcome of the game. They had more splash plays.
"They flipped the field with big plays down the field, whether they had a penalty throwing the ball down the field or they made the reception. They got the necessary turnovers that we didn't get. It defined the outcome of the game like it always does when these two teams come together."
The Steelers have lost in the first round in the playoffs in their last two appearances in the post-season.
