Ravens Team Grades Wk 9: Baltimore Vaults Atop AFC North With Dominating Victory Over Pittsburgh
The Baltimore Ravens knew coming into Sunday that they would need contributions from every single player that received time on the field to have a chance to win a very important division game. And the Ravens got exactly what they wanted as they leaped to the top of the AFC North with a dominating 21-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in front of a sellout home crowd at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens (4-4) have now won six-of-the-past seven meetings with the Steelers (4-4).
The final score and stat sheet does not give the Ravens the justice they deserve as they controlled the entire game, winning all three phases -- offense, defense, and special teams. The Ravens led 13-0 after 45 minutes, marking the first time since 2007 that Pittsburgh had been shutout through three quarters. The biggest criticism of the game is that the Ravens must do a better job at finishing contests. Baltimore has held a lead in each of its last four games, but has only one win to show for it.
Offense: C-
The Ravens were by no means a juggernaut on offense. As has been the case this year, the Ravens left points on the field. The Ravens did most of their damage on the offensive end in the first half, totaling 232 of their 274 total yards. They also accumulated 11 of their 13 first downs in the first half as well.
Quarterback Joe Flacco had perhaps his best game since the season opener against Buffalo, completing 18-of-30 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown while also tying a season-high with 12 yards on three carries -- he had to miss three plays after he rumbled for a season-long 14 yards on a broken play as his knee brace broke. His biggest mistake came when he was picked off while he threw off balance and across his body in the middle of the field. The Ravens were in field goal range as they faced a 3rd-and-10 at the Steelers 22 before the interception.
Wide receiver Mike Williams came up with the offensive play of the game. Williams beat Steelers 2016 first round pick Artie Burns off the line-of-scrimmage and then outraced safety Mike Mitchell to the end zone after catching a nine-yard slant for a franchise record 95-yard score. Breshad Perriman came up with a couple big catches, finishing with three on the day for 33 yards.
The offensive line struggled despite being healthy for the first time since Week 3. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley had a tough time with outside linebacker James Harrison all day. Harrison totaled six tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss. Stanley, making his first appearance in the last four games, was flagged four times including a key 10-yard illegal hands penalty on the Ravens first drive that knocked them out of field goal range.
Defense: A
The defense confused the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger all day. The Ravens gave up just 89 yards through the the first three quarters. Overall, the defense surrendered 274 total yards of offense and held the Steelers to two big-plays of 20-yards or longer.
The defense set the team up for three points with about 6 minutes left in the third quarter as defensive tackle Brandon Williams got his big mitts on a Roethlisberger pass that defensive end Timmy Jernigan picked off. Cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Tavon Young did an excellent job on wide receiver Anthony Brown.
In addition, rookie linebacker Matt Judon got a key sack on third down as the Steelers were trying to make their comeback.
Special Teams: A
Kicker Justin Tucker made both of his 40-yard field goal attempts today and is now 20-for-20 on the season. Tucker also recorded touchbacks on all his kickoffs. Punter Sam Koch was consistent again, pinning Pittsburgh inside the 20 on five of his nine kicks. Plus, the return team limited Brown to five yards on three punt returns. Special teams specialist Devin Hester handled all three of his punt returns without issue while totaling 43 yards on four kick returns.
The biggest play of the afternoon occurred when reserve running back Javorius Allen juked the guy responsible for blocking him at the line of scrimmage and blocked a Steelers punt. Rookie Chris Moore swooped in and picked up the loose ball and scampered in for a 14-yard touchdown.
Coaching: B
The Ravens had an excellent game plan on offense and defense. While the Ravens did not run the ball well, they at least put in a conscious effort to do so by using tackle James Hurst as an extra tight end. Their defensive schemes confused Roethlisberger often enough that he completed just 51.1 percent of his passes and finished with a 14.8 QBR.
Coach John Harbaugh receives high praise for going for two following Moore's special teams score. Flacco tossed the scoring pass to Smith to make it a three score lead.
Baltimore snapped a four-game losing streak with the win Sunday. The Ravens, who are 2-0 in the division, host AFC North foe Cleveland Browns (0-9) on Thursday night.
Post Author: Daniel Benjamin.