Banged-Up Ravens To Face Steelers in AFC North Battle
By Christina Rivers
The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 34-14, on Sunday just one week ahead of their second meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2015 NFL regular season. The Ravens have been on a downward slide this season ahead of playing host to a hot Steelers team. Carrying just a 4-10 record hurts, but Baltimore and Pittsburgh have never been the type of teams to allow season records get in the way of their rivalry. In Week 16, the Ravens may not have a shot at the post-season, but they would love to sweep the series by handing the Steelers a loss.
Ravens offense struggling with turnovers
The Ravens have put the ball in the hands of quarterback Jimmy Clausen. In the last two weeks, Clausen has completed 49-of-85 passes for 555 yards and two touchdowns. What has hurt him has been the three interceptions, three sacks and a receiving corps that hasn't made the necessary catches, resulting in a 70.5 passer rating and a completion average of 42.5 per game. ''The biggest thing is taking care of the ball,'' Clausen said following the loss to Kansas City. ''Whether it's the fumble, or the two interceptions that I had, you're not going to win games turning the ball over.''
What is hurting this Ravens offense the most is turnovers, not injuries. The team has a minus-15 turnover ratio through Week 15 and the story of their offense has been one of falling behind and not having the consistency or weaponry to catch opponents when down. Rookie Buck Allen had back-to-back weeks with costly fumbles and after losing one against the Chiefs, Allen was benched by head coach John Harbaugh.
Defense missing key characters, finishing power
Defensive tackle Brandon Williams pointed out on Sunday that, while the Ravens are still struggling in some areas, the squad is working to make things happen play-to-play. Injuries are no longer a viable excuse. "We stay together," Williams said. "That's the biggest thing – make sure there is no division from within...keep grinding...keep fighting." Baltimore is currently ranked in the middle of the pack on defense, giving up an average of 25.7 points per game (25th in the league); allowing 242.3 yards (average) passing and 100.4 yards (average) rushing per game. It isn't where this defense believed it would be at this point in the season.
"For whatever reason, we just aren't getting it done," outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil summarized following Sunday's game. "(Pittsburgh has) got a lot of weapons – great players, good O-line. [They're a] well-coached team, but it's rivalry week, so we don't care what our record is, we definitely want this one. That's what we'll be working on this week." The Ravens lost cornerback Jimmy Smith, but have seen Jumal Rolle and Shareece Wright cycle into the defensive backfield, something Lardarius Webb indicated was positive. "[We will] keep fighting...fight for the man next to you," Webb said. "(Pittsburgh has) got awesome receivers. We just have to come out and play sound football, sound defense."
Ravens players to watch
On the offensive side of the ball, receiver Kamar Aiken is a bright spot. Aiken posted a career day against the Chiefs – career high catches (eight) and receiving yards (128) – showing he is ready to be Baltimore's number one receiver. "I'm very confident in myself and my abilities," said Aiken. "I've been putting in the work, week in and week out, since the offseason...it's not going to stop." Through Week 15, Aiken has caught 62 passes for 802 yards and five touchdowns
On defense, the Ravens have seen good production from linebacker Za'Darius Smith. In the 13 games he has played in, the rookie has 25 combined tackles and four sacks. His sack total is second only to Dumervil through Week 16. Against the Chiefs, Smith recorded two sacks.
Outlook
The Steelers are heavy favorites to win this AFC North battle, splitting the series with the Ravens. Pittsburgh is on a three-game winning streak that has seen them put up big numbers on offense. Baltimore's defense is struggling up front and in coverage. The game will be a physical one, but at this point in a disappointing Ravens season, Baltimore will be asked to do what the Bengals weren't able to do even with a team that is the real deal in the AFC this season – stop the Steelers.
Christina Rivers has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers and National Football League professionally as a journalist and photographer for over a decade. Rivers studied Exercise Physiology and Sports Psychology at Brigham Young University as a student-athlete. Christina is a freelance writer covering all things NFL as well as a published author. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.