The 2014 season had been just about perfect for running back Justin Forsett.

He had enjoyed the best season of his career by a wide margin – he was a top-five rusher in the league and was selected as the team MVP – but it's a short walk from the penthouse to the outhouse in the NFL.

And in Saturday's night wild-card matchup against the Steelers, Forsett was in danger of being the goat.

The running back fumbled on the Ravens' first drive of the fourth quarter, with his team clinging to a 20-9 lead. The Steelers capitalized on the turnover, and two plays later they were in the end zone. Suddenly Heinz Field was raging, and Forsett's fumble had given the Steelers new life.

"We faced some adversity," Forsett said. "I fumbled the ball, which you can't do. Thank God for my teammates backing me."

The fumble had the potential to unravel the team, but the Ravens didn't let that happen.

On the ensuing possession after Pittsburgh's touchdown, the Ravens marched down the field and kicked a field goal to go up by eight points. The drive quieted the Pittsburgh crowd, and kept the Steelers from building off the excitement of the fumble.

"It says a lot about my teammates," Forsett added. "A resilient bunch, who kept fighting. We have been through a lot this year, that little bit of adversity was nothing we were about to come back and seize the moment."

"When they make a play you have to respond and make a play," Head Coach John Harbaugh added. "You can't let them stack the momentum on you."

The turnover was the first fumble that Forsett has lost since 2009, his second season in the NFL. He has been a reliable ball carrier all season for the Ravens, and didn't have a single turnover in 235 carries during the regular season. 

The miscue was an anomaly for Forsett, and the Ravens didn't hesitate to put him back in the game after the play. 

"You have to have a short-term memory and come out to play," Forsett said. "I'm glad for this win. It was a team effort."