The Baltimore Ravens fell to 7-4 overall, with a 18-16 loss in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers improved to 8-2, and have to now be considered the favorite in the AFC North.
There are now six games remaining in the Ravens regular season schedule (@LA, Philadelphia, @NY Giants, Pittsburgh, @Houston, Cleveland).
The Steelers have a two game edge in the loss column, and now a head-to-head win.
Pittsburgh’s remaining schedule is @Cleveland, @Cincinnati, Cleveland, @Philadelphia, @Baltimore, Kansas City, Cincinnati.
The Ravens can still win the Division, but the road is harder after today.
The Bottomline
The Steelers are a solid team, with a quality defense.
Obviously Mike Tomlin has long-track record of success, and Chris Boswell had a strong day with his six Field Goals.
Pittsburgh gets and deserve some credit for their win today.
They certainly also get some credit for the Ravens offense not performing at their normal levels today.
That said, it’s ultimately hard not to fixate on the repeated errors the Ravens made to help the Steelers win.
I’m not disrespecting the Steelers by stating the obvious; the Ravens couldn’t overcome the Ravens today.
And that’s frustrating.
It’s another game that the Ravens have given away, bringing back the memories of the earlier losses this year vs. Las Vegas, and Cleveland.
When you lose games you should win – like the Ravens should have against the Raiders and Browns – those losses tend to linger, and have lasting impact.
Those losses are why the Ravens weren’t the second overall seed in the AFC entering today, even though they have a head-to-head win vs. Buffalo.
Today’s loss vs. the Steelers makes it that much more difficult for the Ravens to win the AFC North, and of course also extends the gap between the Ravens and Bills for the second seed in the AFC Playoffs.
If the Ravens don’t win the North, their post-season road is that much harder.
Not impossible, but harder.
If the Ravens can’t win the North, then they can’t possibly chase down Buffalo.
Entering today, the Ravens had an offense which has been elite by a lot of metrics.
They also entered today with poor numbers in pass defense, poor numbers with penalties, and questions with Justin Tucker and the kicking game.
The Ravens pass defense played better today, but the Steelers offense is largely inept.
The penalties continued to rear their head today, and Tucker’s two missed Field Goal attempts were too much to overcome.
The strengths of the Ravens are good enough to win a Super Bowl with.
The issues the Ravens have, are significant enough, that the Ravens could flame out of the post-season early.
Can they self-correct (minimize) their issues in the remaining 6 games?
What Happened Today? What Are The Takeaways?
The Ravens had the ball for just 23 minutes, and 38 seconds today (36 minutes, 22 seconds for Pittsburgh).
Baltimore was 4 of 11 on 3rd down (started 0 of 5).
The Ravens turned the ball over 3 times, with fumbles from Derrick Henry, and Isaiah Likely, and a ruled interception Jackson when Justice Hill was not able to maintain possession of a reception.
After Henry’s fumble, the Steelers would kick a FG for the 3-0 lead.
After Likely’s fumble, the Steelers would kick a FG for a 9-7 lead.
After Payton Wilson came down with the interception on the wheel route attempt to Justice Hill; the Steelers would kick a FG for a 18-10 lead with 3:35 left.
Down 3-0, Tucker missed from 47, and 50 yards.
The Ravens came into today leading the league in penalties.
With 12 penalties for 80 yards today, the Ravens continued to make their lives more difficult; often playing behind the sticks.
Collectively, it was too much to overcome.
Other Notes?
- Despite having 74 plays, Pittsburgh had just 303 total yards (4.1 yards per play). It was a good defensive effort from the Ravens, helped by a pretty limited Steelers offense.
- The Ravens were 4 of 11 on 3rd down, while Pittsburgh was 4 of 16.
- Jackson was just 16 of 33. There were a couple of drops which didn’t help his stat line, but overall Jackson was largely out of sync. Again, Pittsburgh gets some credit for making Jackson look uncomfortable. But Jackson missed some throws on his own, and other times he helped contribute to the amassed penalties by not getting ball out quick enough.
- The Ravens had 124 yards on 19 carries (6.5 yards per carry). Henry had 65 yards on 13 carries. There seemed to be opportunities to give additional looks. If you want to wear team down, and make them tired of tackling Henry as the game progresses, you have to feed him more early on.
- Baltimore had 4 sacks, with Odafe Oweh having 2.5. Marlon Humphrey had a pick.
- Roquan Smith had to leave the game late with a hamstring pull. Smith had 13 tackles, and two tackles for loss.
- Newly acquired Tre’Davious White had a good play in the endzone. Ar’Darius Washington had a big day 11 tackles, including 1 tackle for loss.
- Henry was not on the field for the Ravens 2 point conversion attempt to tie the game.
- Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman combined for 4 catches, 69 yards, and a score.
- After missing his two initial Field Goal attempts, Tucker was good from 54 yards on his third attempt. Are the problems technique? Mental? Physical? He nailed this 54 yard attempt, which makes me continue to believe his issues have become largely mental (case of the yips), with collectively more pressure mounting after every miss. Tucker continues to say it’s technique.
- Both the Ravens players and their coaches have to take increasing accountability for the penalties.
Next Up? The Ravens Face The Chargers Next Monday Night
The 7-4 Ravens, 3-3 on the road; will travel to LA to face the 6-3 Chargers, who are 3-1 at home.
The Chargers are hosting the Bengals later tonight.
The Harbaugh Brothers aspect will get plenty of attention.
LA is well positioned for the post-season.
They might not be ready to make a post-season run, but you can see Jim Harbaugh’s imprint already.
Harbaugh the Younger has made the Chargers a stronger, more physical team.
The Ravens will get to see their former RB’s JK Dobbins, and Gus Edwards back up close.
The Ravens pass defense will be tested by Justin Herbert.
Entering play today, the Chargers were 10th overall in DVOA, with the 12th ranked Offense, 8th ranked Defense, and 17th ranked Special Teams.
ESPN’s Match-Up Predictor gives the Ravens a 62.7% chance of getting the win at SoFi Stadium.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.