The Ravens knew a loss was a possibility. It’s not as if they approached the game with a win-at-all-costs mindset. Reserves assumed starting positions across the board. And when a team does this while taking on a physical team that needs a win to survive, the odds tilt towards the opponent. In this case, their archrival Steelers.
That doesn’t mean that John Harbaugh & Co. weren’t trying to win the game, but sometimes you need to be willing to sacrifice the battle to win the war. And the war’s prize is The Lombardi Trophy.
But that said, it was a winnable game for the Ravens. The Steelers and their fans are quite excited about beating the Ravens but moral victories aside, this edition of the Steelers, isn’t going anywhere. Yesterday’s win represents their 2023 Super Bowl. The Ravens have their collective eyes locked in on a bigger prize – a brass ring that has eluded the Steelers since 2009.
And that won’t change anytime soon.
THE GOOD
Isaiah Likely has developed into quite a playmaker. He’s a bit of a hybrid player who possesses the agile ball skills of a receiver and is faster than some. His running ability after the catch is impressive and that was on display again against the Steelers. If Mark Andrews returns to the lineup during the postseason, the possibility of him playing beside a more accomplished Likely should give OC Todd Monken all the feels while he’s in the lab prepping a game plan. Likely has now reached the end zone in three of his last four games and produced a career-best 5 TD catches this season. Since Week 12 (Baltimore’s first game without All-Pro TE Mark Andrews), Likely’s 5 receiving TDs tie (TE Sam LaPorta) for the most among NFL TEs….Nelson Agholor had 5 catches on 5 targets, a couple in tight windows that required him to secure a slippery ball before sudden impact.
#Ravens Huntley to Likely for 27 YARDS! Touchdown!pic.twitter.com/gLskcUBliM
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 6, 2024
Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy have been absolute gems for the Ravens. It’s as if GM Eric DeCosta hit the lottery with these two acquisitions that represent incredible value. They’ve combined for 18 ½ sacks – Clowney with 9 ½ and Van Noy with 9, both career highs. Before his $750K bonus that kicked in with yesterday’s takedown of Mason Rudolph, Clowney’s guaranteed money in 2023 was $2.405M, Van Noy’s $1.4M. That’s a combined $3.805M. To put that in perspective, the Ravens paid Devin Duvernay $4.304M for 464 return yards and 33 yards from the LOS.
Jadeveon Clowney needed only 1 sack to receive a $750,000 bonus 💰
He went WILD after he got it 🤣pic.twitter.com/NUrTODg7i2
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 6, 2024
Kyle Van Noy is in year 10 and is still HIM pic.twitter.com/vGtCo6B03W
— Hunter Miller (@MillerHHunter) January 6, 2024
With their 3 sacks yesterday, the Ravens now have recorded 60 QB drops, tying (2006) for the most in single-season franchise history. Sixteen players have at least 1 sack in 2023 marking the second most (Detroit – 17) by any team all season…The Ravens are the only team in 2023 with at least three players (DT Justin Madubuike – career-high 13; Clowney and Van Noy) reaching the 9-sack mark…The Ravens registered 4 FFs vs. Pittsburgh (Clowney, OLB Jeremiah Moon, LB Del’Shawn Phillips & Van Noy), tying for the franchise’s most in a single game since at least 2000 (when TruMedia data
became available). Baltimore last reached that single-game figure on 10/18/20 at Philadelphia.
We all got a chance to see how Trenton Simpson can compete on a big stage. He certainly provided some optimism for those fretting the imminent departure of Pro Bowler Patrick Queen. Queen has been a stud in 2023 and he’s all in on the Ravens. His focus is admirable and appreciated. He’s clearly chosen to ball out for the good of the team and let the fruits of free agency fall into place afterwards. But Simpson provided a glimpse of a handsome consolation prize when Queen leaves for greener pastures.
Free agency will force the Ravens to "graduate" Patrick Queen. And the next man up is Trenton Simpson. (The blurriness is not in you set) pic.twitter.com/53oAZ53PoU
— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) January 7, 2024
To borrow from RSR’s Dev Panchwagh: “Between Hamilton and Simpson, [the Ravens will] have two human torpedoes running all over the field. This is by the way how the Ravens compete every season. They aren’t afraid to lean into these hybrid, position-less prospects. They find a place for them. Simpson has all the talent to thrive [in Baltimore]”.
The Ravens back-end coverage was tight save for the game-changing pass to Diontae Johnson…Nice to see Brandon Stephens competing as he has all season…Jordan Stout deserves credit for some excellent punting in challenging conditions. He averaged 53.9 yards per punt and should have had a punt pinned inside the 3 if not for the failures of the punt coverage unit.
Happy Birthday wishes to this guy who turns 27 today. #Lamar #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/dZFh50KuhG
— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) January 7, 2024
THE BAD
Tyler Huntley looked lost too many times. Give him credit for not forcing passes into tight windows on an evening that screamed turnover, but he just looked indecisive and consequently he was late with the football. He does deserve to be graded on a slight curve given the elements coupled with the talent dropoff at the skill positions. But overall, it certainly wasn’t the kind of audition he hoped for prior to his pending free agency…Gus Edwards looked decent at times, particularly during his clever run for 29 yards. But his 9 other carries netted just 19 yards, including a critical fumble when it appeared that the Ravens were mounting a drive to tie the score at 14. That’s two games in a row when Gus has fumbled the ball away…Melvin Gordon did nothing to give John Harbaugh confidence that his fumbling issues are behind him. Apparently, they aren’t. But his playing time with the Ravens might be now that Dalvin Cook has arrived.
Marcus Williams dropped a potential INT on the Steelers first possession and then bailed on his back-end assignment, providing a window of opportunity that Mason Rudolph took advantage of when connecting with Diontae Johnson on a 71-yard score that proved to be the difference in the game. Williams hasn’t proven to be a quality signing for the Ravens. He’s shown flashes, but injuries have been a drag on his productivity. Next season his cap number is $18.723M. Let that sink in.
DIONTAE JOHNSON HOUSE CALL IN BALTIMORE 🏠☎️#PITvsBAL pic.twitter.com/rbr4nJTlgc
— ESPN (@espn) January 6, 2024
THE UGLY
The Ravens’ run defense is a concern, particularly on first down. When not in goal-to-go situations, the Steelers ran on first down 18 times gaining 117 yards (6.5YPC). That really makes it difficult on a defense. It appears as if they are light in the box on first down and their ILB’s aren’t getting downhill fast enough before free guards or the center get a hat on them. By then the RB’s have run 3-4 yards before contact. It’s a problem that needs to be cleaned up – STAT!…Punt coverage teams were terrible. Calvin Austin III had 5 returns for 92 yards (18.4 AVG) which effectively negated the solid outing from Stout, dropping his net punting average to 37.9.
Just a few stats that will make you want to cover your eyes:
• 224 net yards of offense
• 118 net yards passing
• 3.9 yards per play
• 3.7 yards per pass play
COACHING
The Steelers defense sold out to stop the run on first down. When they did, the Steelers then brought heat to disrupt the passing game. It was a strategy employed that took into consideration the skill position players the Ravens fielded and the elements. It worked. I’m surprised that Monken didn’t take a couple of shots downfield on first down…Defensively, it was obvious that the Steelers wanted to win the game with Najee Harris, particularly on first down, and the Ravens did little to beat them to the punch. They seemed more interested in bottling up George Pickens. Maybe bottling up the run and forcing Rudolph to win the game by forcing him into unfavorable second and third down situations was the way to go.
Chuck Smith has made a huge difference in the Ravens pass rush. It’s time to give him some added props given the record performances in 2023 by some of his “students”.
🫡 #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/ZqS42jgF0U
— Chuck Smith (@chucksmithnfl) January 7, 2024
Parting Shots
I’m dealing with a wicked bout of Covid including all the undesirables: chills, sweats, sneezing, coughing, stuffiness, headache, watery eyes, blurred vision…you’ve probably been there. While watching the game on TV, I grew more frustrated with the virus because I couldn’t even watch the game clearly. I kept rubbing my eyes to clear them only to find out that just like a Shaggy song, it wasn’t me.
Hey Chris Fowler, you can now put down your Steelers pompom. Nice job by his booth mates Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky calling the game.
[Related Article: Ravens Report Card]
Steelers in the Playoffs
For the Steelers to make the playoffs they will need to have either the Jaguars lose to the Titans, or the Bills lose to the Dolphins. Jacksonville is a 3 ½ point road favorite and the Bills are a 3-point road favorite.
Steelers Locker room going CRAZY!!!
WALK IN YO TRAP TAKE OVER YO TRAP #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/E4Q11f01wB
— Jeff Kirby (@Jeff_Kirby412) January 7, 2024
After watching this celebration following yesterday’s game, you’d think the Steelers were going to the Super Bowl.
That’s an embarrasing, over-the-top display after beating the Ravens JV, don’t you think?
15 Responses
That was a disgusting loser way of a game for the Ravens. The whole team etc …. just ripped off the fans who paid big bucks for a seat in that rain. How sad!!!!! and to the Steelers of all people. I think that shows arrogance and not giving a dam to the fans and Baltimore; the Ravens couldn’t have cared less. Yup the Ravens do great and AHHHHH show their true colors. You mark my word about this loss and the connection to the other playoff games. The Steelers unlike us come ready to play no matter what. I hate to say it but it’s the truth. It’s about time you sport writers come out and call it what it is! Hey it might come down to the Steelers thanking the RAVENS for putting them into the playoffs. Great job Ravens!!!!!
You are right. We need to call it like it is.
I’ll do better, beginning right now. Considering what the Ravens have done this season and what is at stake, your post is idiotic.
How’s that for calling it like it is?
I agree Tony. Some fans of Baltimore are insufferable and for whatever reason can’t understand why you would bench your starters, who are all banged up. Who cares if we lose to the Steelers. We have our eyes on a prize that’s far greater than a meaningless exhibition game.
What we know from experience is that the people who tend to be the most critical of the efforts of others are also the people who struggle to meet the barest of minimums in their own daily lives. They need to chill and embrace reason and proportion.
Continue to call it as you see it. I definitely don’t agree with all of your takes, but I have always found them to be reasonable and thoughtful.
No my post isn’t iodic; you’re just an over-rated lame homer sports personality in Baltimore. No place in my post did I say use all the starters; the team we put on the field could have beat the steelers; they just all melted in the rain with Harbaugh SAT night; didn’t give two hoots. Hey, you see we put the Steelers in the playoffs. Maybe you can call and congratulate them? I also there’s a place on 105.7 now, maybe for you?
You would fit right in 🙂
Iodic is a form of acid. That explains a lot. Keep trippin’ Rob.
Tell em
Agree 100%
SonOfaCrabber said:
Yesterday 09:00 PM
Our hubris will haunt us
Tonight proved we are way too cocky.
I got a really bad feeling about the post season. We fold when when we get punched in the face
Rob are you “sonofacrabber” who wrote this last night after the game? Sounds alot like what you wrote in your remarks. Maybe you should go and cheer for some other team if you don’t already…troll.
Wow my sentiments. Sounds very bitter about losing to a divisional rival in a meaningless game. Weighing out the pros and cons, I thought we did very good.
The proof’s in the pudding. If we go far in the run then it’s worth the loss. I think we go all the way. Does rob/SonOfaCrabber then do a 180?
We watched the game from a Ravens restaurant-bar in Surfside Beach and I know I saw the Steelers fumble and/or mishandle the ball 5 or 6 times during the game. That’s what happens when you play in a windy monsoon. Anyway, I’m standing when the Ravens have the ball after a Steelers miscue and during a hand off to Melvin Gordon, I mutter to no one in particular “hold onto the ball.” Which Gordon promptly coughs up.
So for me there are three take aways from this game. The Ravens really need to tighten up their run defense and their special teams coverage on kick offs and punts stinks. Where’s Jerry Rosberg? The third is, with the acquisition of Dalvin Cook, Melvin has taken his last snap as a Raven.
Hey Fran The Fan, What’s the name of that Bar-Restaurant in Surfside Beach? We live here and I would like to give the place a try sometime. Tks
Oh Tony, baby. You might have jinxed this something fierce.
Where’s the Megan Fox?
Since it was sort of a fake game, Megan stayed home. But if I was forced to give it to one player, I’d struggle…maybe a 3-way split between Jadeveon, KVN and T-Simpson.