Ravens head coach John Harbaugh summed it up perfectly following the Ravens 23-20 victory over division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“You can’t get two until you get one.”
While never easy and never pretty, the Ravens looked as if they were going to again fall victim to another back-up quarterback at Heinz field, yet with missed field goals by Pittsburgh and questionable coaching strategies by Mike Tomlin, the team stole one for their first win of the 2015 season.
Confidence breeds success and the Ravens, losers of their last three games, need all the confidence they can get right now. Their 1-3 record doesn’t exactly reflect on the kind of team Ozzie Newsome put together this offseason – a playmaker here or a playmaker there, and the Ravens could be sitting at 4-0 right now. In fact none of their three losses have been by more than six points.
Run Game Shows Life
The offense was finally able to establish a run game last night with Marshal Yanda serving as a one-man wrecking crew, creating gaps and cut back lanes for Justin Forsett and his back-ups, Lorenzo Taliaferro and rookie Buck Allen.
Offensive coordinator Marc Trestman said all week that the offense needed to incorporate more of a run game and they did just that.
Forsett rushed for an astounding 150 yards (second-most of career) on 27 carries and was able to break some tackles while hitting holes quick. As a group, the Ravens put up 191 total yards on the ground after averaging just 72.7 yards per game through Week 3.
The team, though, still struggles in short yardage situations. Fortunately for them, the Steelers did the same last night.
Not Named Smith Sr.
Steve Smith Sr. finished with just four receptions on seven targets for 24 yards, but he departed the game with a back injury in the third quarter, leaving the Ravens even thinner at the WR corps.
Kamar Aiken stepped up, providing the Ravens with five receptions, 77 receiving yards and a touchdown while being targeted seven times. Before leaving with a back injury, second-year receiver Michael Campanaro provided a spark for the Ravens offense early. Camp found the end zone on a nine-yard rush on an end around, becoming the second Ravens receiver (Mark Clayton) to record a rushing TD. Camp finished with two receptions for 16 yards.
Marlon Brown received just four targets (two catches for nine yards and a couple drops) and rookie Darren Waller saw 25 snaps, two targets and one reception for 17 yards.
The team posted 189 yards through the air.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
After taking much of the heat for the last two weeks, the Ravens defense looked as if they were going to watch another game disappear before their very eyes. Instead, Dean Pees’ group were able to get crucial stops late in the game, providing the offense a chance to win.
Despite Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell breaking the Ravens 29-game streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher (22 carries, 129 yards), the Ravens limited the damage done by Michael Vick through the air. Superstar wideout Antonio Brown was limited to just five receptions and 42 yards.
Will Hill, newly signed cornerback Will Davis and Brandon Williams all had impressive games, while rookie Za’Darius Smith recorded his first two career sacks. Pass rusher Jason Babin, inked after the injury to Terrell Suggs, saw just seven snaps.
https://twitter.com/WillieD_effect/status/649807640114122752
First win feels so good.
— Carl Davis (@Trenchwork94) October 2, 2015
Feels so good to get that W tonight! Thanking God for every opportunity #RavensNation
— Justin Forsett (@JForsett) October 2, 2015
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