Properly, that one certain lived as much as the hype.
Coming into Sunday’s Week 11 matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, the thrill was by the roof concerning the pivotal AFC North matchup between the 2 AFC superpowers. In traditional Steelers-Ravens style it got here all the way down to the wire in a quite sloppy, defense-driven recreation because the Steelers held on late for the thrilling 18-16 win, making sufficient performs within the course of to take management of the AFC North.
Although the explosive Steelers offense struggled to complete drives, kicker Chris Boswell got here up clutch once more, and the star-studded protection put the clamps on the league’s greatest offense, resulting in a hard-fought, clutch victory.
Let’s get to some grades.
QB — C-
It wasn’t an excellent day for Steelers QB Russell Wilson. He struggled all through the sport, but it surely wasn’t all on him. Among the fast passing recreation ideas weren’t working, which triggered him to carry onto the soccer longer, resulting in sacks.
Wilson additionally didn’t assault the center of the sphere all that a lot, which was an space the place the Ravens have been very weak coming into the matchup. That’s in keeping with the way in which he’s attacked defenses all through his profession, although, avoiding the center of the sphere.
Ultimately, Wilson made some key throws that helped arrange factors, together with a 37-yard moon ball to George Pickens down the left sideline. He additionally ripped some middle-of-the-field photographs within the second half to tight finish Darnell Washington. He actually hindered the Steelers, although, on an ill-advised soar ball in the long run zone on a scramble drill supposed for Washington that was picked off.
Wilson completed 23-of-36 for 205 yards and an interception within the win. He was sacked 4 instances. Not his greatest efficiency, however the Steelers did sufficient in the long run. Have to determine the purple zone points although.
RB — B-
Going in opposition to the league’s greatest run protection, there wasn’t a lot room to work with for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. But, they helped the Steelers rush for 122 yards on the afternoon.
Harris completed with 18 carries for 63 yards, together with the 1-yard acquire on third and 1 late to maneuver the chains and seal the win. He added 4 receptions for 30 yards because the Steelers continued their current dominance over the Ravens. Harris did have some operating room at instances and ripped off just a few 10+ yard runs. He set the bodily tone offensively.
Warren completed with 9 carries for 41 yards and added 4 receptions for 27 yards within the win. He picked up a number of first downs and was dependable as a receiving possibility out of the backfield.
The 2 performed comparatively nicely, even when the numbers aren’t all that eye-opening.
WR — C
Outdoors of George Pickens, the Steelers received completely nothing out of their receiver room in opposition to the Ravens.
Pickens set a career-high with eight receptions, ending with 89 yards. He had some massive catches down the sphere once more and was a matchup downside for the Ravens. However sadly, no one else stepped up at large receiver to supply some help.
New acquisition Mike Williams performed 25 snaps and didn’t see a single goal. Calvin Austin III had one reception for -1 yards with a key drop early within the recreation on a deep shot that bounced off his chest. Van Jefferson had a drop on a 3rd down within the purple zone, too.
Little-used Ben Skowronek received some run on offense and had one reception for 4 yards.
In whole, Steelers receivers not named George Pickens had two receptions for 3 yards. Yikes! Fortunately Pickens was good and made performs for Pittsburgh’s offense.
TE — B-
It was good to see Darnell Washington unleashed within the passing recreation. He will be lethal up the seam as a receiving possibility.
Washington completed with two receptions for 42 yards, hauling in photographs of 25 yards and 17 yards from Wilson. He was capable of get behind the linebackers and made some nice catches in site visitors, leading to massive performs. Extra of that, please.
It was slightly disappointing to see Pat Freiermuth not have a lot of a task within the passing recreation, seeing simply two targets, hauling in each for 14 yards. Getting into the sport, I felt he had an actual benefit in opposition to Baltimore, however he wasn’t utilized in the course of the sphere in any respect.
That has to vary transferring ahead.
OL — C
The 4 sacks are going to concern loads, and it’s comprehensible. However three of the 4 sacks seemed to be protection sacks after Wilson needed to maintain onto the soccer as guys merely weren’t getting open. Generally that occurs. Offensive linemen can’t maintain up endlessly.
It was good to see the Steelers have some severe edge up entrance. Zach Frazier performed with an edge all recreation and actually built-in himself into the rivalry. Broderick Jones introduced chippiness, too, which was good to see. He performs higher when he’s offended.
On the flip facet, Jones had two holding penalties on one drive and had some struggles in go safety. So, too, did Dan Moore Jr. as each have been charged with one sack allowed. Nonetheless, the Steelers have been capable of do sufficient within the run recreation to maneuver the soccer and held up in go safety for probably the most half.
Neither an excellent nor dangerous efficiency.
DL — B
A really sturdy displaying from the Steelers’ defensive position, and in a giant spot, too.
Cameron Heyward had 4 tackles, drew two holding penalties and batted two passes on the line of scrimmage. He did an amazing job all recreation of controlling the purpose of assault, dealt with himself very nicely within the run recreation, and when he couldn’t get residence dashing the passer, he was capable of get his fingers up and knock the ball down.
So, too, did Dean Lowry, who performed stable soccer in his first Steelers-Ravens recreation. Although he was the one out of his hole on the Derrick Henry 31-yard run, Lowry performed nicely outdoors of that, batting a go on the line of scrimmage. Lowry completed with only one sort out, however he had a sack.
Larry Ogunjobi quietly had a robust recreation, ending with 5 tackles. He was stable in opposition to the run and actually stood out as that penetrating defensive lineman who made performs. Keeanu Benton had his moments, too, ending with three tackles and enjoying the run nicely earlier than leaving the sport within the fourth quarter with an harm.
Isaiahh Loudermilk almost had a splash play, recording a sack earlier than a defensive holding penalty within the secondary wiped it out. Good day general from the Steelers’ defensive position, preserving the Ravens in examine.
LB — A-
A really, superb day for the Steelers’ linebackers within the win over the Ravens. New Steelers LB Patrick Queen put his mark on the rivalry, stripping TE Isaiah Possible for an enormous fumble deep in Baltimore territory, establishing a discipline aim close to the top of the primary half. Queen completed with a team-high 10 tackles and was everywhere for the Black and Gold.
Rookie Payton Wilson made a spectacular interception, which turned the sport again in favor of the Steelers. Wilson had simply two tackles, however the interception was unimaginable and far wanted. Elandon Roberts had simply three tackles however performed bodily downhill.
On the skin, Nick Herbig made his presence recognized instantly with a pressured fumble on Derrick Henry on the second snap of the sport. In his return after 4 weeks on the shelf with a hamstring harm, Herbig began quick and by no means let up. He had various pressures and blew up some key performs together with his quickness off of the soccer.
T.J. Watt made some massive performs, too, together with an enormous sort out for loss within the backfield on Henry proper after the handoff. He additionally sacked Jackson within the second half. The Ravens threw a ton of consideration at him, however Watt made his presence recognized.
DB — B+
All through a lot of the day the Steelers’ secondary saved a lid on issues. The Ravens had only one receiver haul in a go of greater than 20 yards, that being Zay Flowers on a acquire of 23 yards on a brief crossing route. Rashod Bateman had a reception of 19 yards. Tight finish Isaiah Possible had a 42-yard catch within the first quarter, however that was largely it.
Joey Porter Jr. had as sturdy recreation one week after struggling in opposition to the Commanders. He had the important thing sort out on the 2-point attempt within the fourth quarter, coming downhill for the massive cease. He additionally had two go breakups, placing the clamps on Baltimore’s receivers.
Donte Jackson had some struggles and received beat by Flowers for a landing within the fourth quarter. He additionally had Nelson Agholor go up over him for a giant play that was in the end flagged on the line of scrimmage, negating the play. However nonetheless, Jackson has had some points in protection in current weeks.
Luckily, Minkah Fitzpatrick was superb on Sunday. He had a touchdown-saving sort out on Henry’s 31-yard run. He additionally took away a deep shot to Flowers within the second quarter, erasing the center of the sphere. Fitzpatrick completed with seven tackles on his birthday and was across the soccer fairly a bit. He didn’t have a takeaway, however he continues to play good soccer and maintain a lid on issues.
DeShon Elliott had a fumble restoration within the win, however outdoors of that was quite quiet within the rivalry matchup. He had simply two tackles. Beanie Bishop Jr. completed with 4 tackles and held up nicely within the slot all through the sport.
Particular Groups — A
What a day for Chris Boswell and the Steelers’ particular groups. Historic, the truth is.
Boswell drilled all six field-goal makes an attempt within the win, setting an NFL report within the course of. He made three kicks from 50-plus yards, too. What a efficiency, and the very fact it got here on a day through which Justin Tucker missed two kicks and was complaining concerning the kicking floor made it all of the sweeter.
Corliss Waitman had a robust day too, averaging 56.5 yards on 4 punts. He boomed a 71-yard punt, but it surely went for a touchback. Nonetheless, you’re taking that tradeoff as the online punt was 51 yards. He additionally had one punt downed contained in the 20-yard line and punted the ball very nicely.
Within the return recreation, the Steelers didn’t generate a lot. Calvin Austin III had simply two punt returns for 13 yards.
Kick protection was sturdy because the Steelers drew a number of penalties and saved issues bottled up all through the sport. Harmful kick returner Keaton Mitchell averaged simply 26.3 yards on three returns and didn’t come near breaking something. Tylan Wallace had a nine-yard punt return.
Actually sturdy day from Danny Smith’s models — once more. Nice teaching job this season from the veteran gum chewer.
