The Ravens fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 28-24, in Week 8 at M&T Bank Stadium. RSR staff react to the loss here…
Wink has changed the way he’s calling the game in the second half and it’s failing. Also tough to win games v. undefeated teams when you are -2 in turnovers and are penalized 80 yards more.
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) November 1, 2020
He hasn’t played well by any stretch but you have to admire Lamar’s resiliency.
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) November 1, 2020
Derek Arnold
Lamar Jackson has won a lot of games for the Ravens. He will win them a lot more. Today, he lost the game. He handed Pittsburgh 14 points with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a TD on the third play of the game. The second, on the first offensive play of the second half with the Ravens leading 17-7, gave the Steelers great field position and just the momentum boost they needed. Jackson could have easily had another ball or two picked off, and lost another fumble or two. He still made plays in big moments, but his mistakes overshadow them at the end of the day when looking back on a loss in a game his team spent large chunks dominating.
He isn’t alone in the blame of course, but he needs to shoulder the majority of it. His play-caller didn’t do him many favors, as the Ravens, despite running the ball down Pittsburgh’s throat in unexpectedly efficient fashion, oddly abandoned the dive play that had worked so well in the second quarter throughout most of the third. The option plays in the fourth quarter were, on the other hand, an inspired choice by Greg Roman. Yet, with the game on the line, emptying the backfield for a QB Draw on the crucial fourth-and-short played right into Pittsburgh’s hands.
Other notes:
- Matt Judon’s ejection was ridiculous, and a play that needs to be able to be reviewed.
- Losing Ronnie Stanley was obviously a big moment. Although they still could have pulled out the victory today, it has larger implications for the rest of the season, as we have just learned he is done for the season. That’s crushing on a personal level for a guy who just got his first big contract extension the other day.
Hate to put a loss on any one person but Lamar will rightfully be the fall guy and deserves to be. He gave the game to the other side. #Ravens
— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) November 1, 2020
Jermaine Lockett
Big time players show up in big time games. It’s extremely frustrating when such an electric star is making simple mistakes. Small misses, injuries and mistakes added up in this game. Is Dez the answer? Nope.
It’s time to switch up the scheme and challenge Lamar to make the outside-the-numbers throws to actual WRs.
Taylor Lyons
– Lamar and the passing game, outside of a few connections to Willie Snead and Devin Duvernay, looked poor. This was easily one of if not Jackson’s worst game of his career, and I feel like I’m saying that way too often this year. He made too many bad decisions, attempted throws he shouldn’t have, and his turnovers proved to be costly.
– On the other hand, the running game looked incredible. The combo of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards ran all over one of the league’s best run defenses and (maybe a hot take) look even better without Mark Ingram. How much Ingram is involved moving forward will be interesting to watch for.
– The penalties and the 100+ yards the Steelers received as a result of them are super concerning, especially off a bye week. Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters both had bad PI’s, Chuck Clark with a bad facemask, and illegal formation and holding calls that brought back big plays on offense. You would expect a well coached team to clean some of these things up after a week off.
Ben Dackiw
I feel like “we could’ve won this game if we didn’t turn the ball over” is becoming a very common theme.
We know why the Ravens lost, and we know what needs to happen for things to change. Greg Roman needs to stop imitating an ostrich in the sand when the going gets tough.
I was impressed with how the O-Line performed after Stanley went out, and Dobbins is starting to get the touches he needs to perform.
The Ravens have a Pittsburgh problem before they get to the Kansas City problem.
Chad Racine
I predicted a loss but wasn’t expecting it to look like this. Turnovers and penalties were the theme today. I expect the Ravens will be facing an undefeated Steelers on Thanksgiving night. I hope they will be better prepared.
Aidan Griesser
The Ravens absolutely gave this game to Pittsburgh and really should have won by multiple scores.
– Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins dominated the Steelers defense and were the main reason Baltimore kept themselves in the game despite turnovers.
– The Ravens defense played well, in my opinion, only forfeiting 21 points to a strong Steelers attack, as well as giving Baltimore a chance with a key three-and-out late in the game.
– At the end day, Lamar Jackson has to play a more sound game. He continues to look flustered in big matchups and while others certainly share blame, the QB has to take the brunt of it.
– Perhaps even bigger than a loss to the Steelers is the loss of Ronnie Stanley. Prayers up for a swift recovery!
