NFL: Ben Roethlisberger inspires Pittsburgh Steelers to 43-23 win at Baltimore Ravens

Ben Roethlisberger threw six touchdowns for the second week in a row to become the first player to throw 12 touchdown passes in consecutive NFL games as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 43-23 at Heinz Field on Sunday.

Roethlisberger, who threw six touchdown passes against the Indianapolis Colts last weekend, threw for 340 yards against depleted secondary - three touchdowns in each half - to move the Steelers to a 6-3 win-loss record in the AFC North division.

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Twice Roethlisberger connected with rookie wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who now has five touchdowns in his first three games in the NFL, while the Steelers took full advantage of turnovers from the Ravens.

The Steelers quarterback threw six touchdowns in last week's win against the Indianapolis Colts and did not throw an interception in either game.

The previous record for touchdown passes in two straight games was 11 - set by Tom Flores for Oakland in 1963 and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in 2007.

Baltimore actually took the lead when Joe Flacco connected with Torrey Smith for a 35-yard TD in what was the only score of a tough first quarter between the two fierce divisional rivals.

Steelers response

Le'Veon Bell ran the ball in from five yards to level for Pittsburgh before Roethlisberger found Bryant and then Markus Wheaton either side of a Justin Tucker field goal for the Ravens.

Antonio Brown caught a 54-yard TD at the start of the second half to stretch the lead to 29-10. Pittsburgh's flying receiver moved back to the top of the NFL in receiving yards with his 144-yard effort taking him to 996 for the season, and he's well uot in front with 74 catches.

Jacoby Jones took the resulting kick-off 108 yards to instantly get Baltimore back within two touchdowns, but Roethlisberger responded right away with his next drive covering 71 yards in nine plays and taking four minutes off the clock before ending with an 18-yard pass to Bryant.

Even after the Ravens scored a late consolation from Crockett Gillmore, Roethlisberger had to have the last laugh with his record-breaking sixth TD pass being a 33-yarder to Matt Spaeth.

Pittsburgh next play the New York Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium and will be heavy favourites with the Jets having lost eight consecutive games since winning their season opener.

Baltimore, meanwhile, drop to 5-4 and have gone from top of the AFC North to the bottom of it with two losses.