The Ravens were playing their first game since running back Ray Rice had his contract terminated Monday following the release of a video that showed him striking his then-fiancee in an Atlantic City casino elevator. The NFL has suspended Rice indefinitely as a result of the incident.
Both teams put together time-consuming first drives aided by an opponent penalty, but Pittsburgh's was halted by a turnover while Flacco was 4 for 4 during a 12-play, 85-yard possession that ended with a score.
On third-and-4 from the Pittsburgh 26, cornerback Cortez Allen was hit with a pass interference penalty on a sideline pattern intended for Torrey Smith. The infraction moved the ball to the 3, and two plays later Flacco found Daniels uncovered behind the defense for a 7-0 lead with 27 seconds left in the period.
Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to the Baltimore 16-yard line on the game's opening drive, converting two third downs and having an early third-and-9 from the Pittsburgh 21 prolonged when Courtney Upshaw was flagged for roughing the quarterback.
The drive ended when Justin Brown fumbled after a hard hit from linebacker Mike Smith following a 6-yard reception. DeAngelo Tyson recovered the ball.