ExtremeRavens Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Here’s how the Ravens (13-4) graded out at each position after a 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) in Sunday’s Week 18 game at M&T Bank Stadium: Quarterback Because of the steady rain, it was hard to throw the ball, but backup Tyler Huntley was misfiring even when he had receivers wide-open. He couldn’t even complete short passes in the flat. The Ravens also didn’t give Huntley a lot of time to throw as he was under pressure most of the game. He completed 15 of 28 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown, but he wasn’t effective filling in for starter Lamar Jackson. Grade: D Receivers The Ravens had receivers open, especially the tight ends, but Huntley failed to find them. In all honesty, this wasn’t a game to feature the receivers, but Nelson Agholor and Laquon Treadwell were open several times over the middle. Tight end Isaiah Likely had the only touchdown, a 27-yard catch over the middle, and Agholor led the team in receptions with five for 39 yards. Running back Justice Hill had three catches for 26 yards and tight end Charlie Kolar also had three for 23. Hill was left alone in the flat several times, but Huntley failed to get him the ball because he was inaccurate or didn’t have time. Grade: C Offensive line Tackles Morgan Moses and Ronnie Stanley had trouble handling Pittsburgh’s speed off the corners, but Moses had to block T.J. Watt, one of the best outside linebackers in the NFL. The Ravens had 106 rushing yards, including 40 from Huntley on eight carries. They couldn’t get much movement initially from guards John Simpson and Ben Cleveland. The Ravens were without starting right guard Kevin Zeitler (knee/quad/coach’s decision), who has played well most of the year. This group allowed four sacks and six quarterback hits. Grade: D Running backs The Ravens never got the running game going, and that was partially because they didn’t use starter Gus Edwards and Hill full time. They even gave snaps to third-stringer Melvin Gordon III. The running backs had only 66 yards on 17 attempts. Edwards was the leader with 48 yards on 10 carries and Gordon had 18 yards on seven attempts. Edwards’ fumble in the fourth quarter led to a crucial Steelers field goal and Gordon also fumbled early in the second quarter before being banished to the bench. On a day when the Ravens needed a running game, they didn’t have one. Grade: D Baltimore Ravens tackle Daniel Faalele provides pass protection for quarterback Tyler Huntley against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Jan 6, 2024: Baltimore Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney reacts after the defense force a turnover against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Patrick Queen, center, tackles Steelersxe2x80x99 Connor Heyward in the first quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens back up quarterback Tyler Huntley, left, runs away from Steelers\xe2\x80\x99 T.J. Watt, right, in the second quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker watches play during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley makes his way on to the field to warm up before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens running back Justin Hill, left, can't make a catch while Steeler cornerback Joey Porter Jr. defends in the first quarter Saturday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Trenton Simpson stops Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren for a loss of yardage during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Ravens Tackle Ronnie Stanley, right, plays against the Steelers in the first quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen and defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney congratulate each other on a defensive stop against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Justin Madubuike, right, pressures Steelers. quarterback Mason Rudolph, left, in the first quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen wraps up Steelers running back Najee Harris as defensive end Jadeveon Clowney moves in during the first quarter Saturday. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker kicks off to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney shouts beside tackle Morgan Moses during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Matt Sallee sings the Star Spangled Banner during an NFL showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith participates during pregame of an NFL showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)NFL referee Brad Allen announces a call between Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar and fullback/tight end Ben Mason during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Justin Hill, center, catches and runs for 19 yards against Steelers\xe2\x80\x99 Miles Killebrew, left, and Alex Highsmith, right, in the fourth quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens running back Melvin Gordon III looks at his hands in front of tackle Morgan Moses after fumbling to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, center, watches from the sideline his back up plays against the Steelers in the fourth quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, center, blocks between Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris and offensive lineman James Daniels during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Ravens safety Geno Stone us slow to get up after a play against the Steelers in the third quarter. The Steelers beats the Ravens 17-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards reaches out to stiff-arm Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace as defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk chases during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker watches his point after try along with punter Jordan Stout during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left gives advice to Tyler Huntley during a timeout against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney hammers Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, who coughs up the football that gets recovered by the offense for a loss of yardage during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Ravens defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney reacts after the defense force a turnover against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Don Felder, who played for the rock group the Eagles performs during halftime of an NFL showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill loses the handle on a pass while Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., behind, during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens head football coach John Harbaugh watches the game clock during the fourth quarter of an NFL showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. Pittsburgh won, 17-10...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens fans cheer as defensive end/defensive tackle Broderick Washington holds the football after recovering a Pittsburgh Steelers fumble during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens defensive end/defensive tackle Broderick Washington turns with a fumble recovery as Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth watches during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley scrambles past Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi for seven yards during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens cornerback Arthur Maulet, left gets congratulated by defensive back Brandon Stephens after recovering a fumble against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, left dives past Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy for the game's first touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill loses the handle on a pass while Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., behind, during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens fans cheer while watching the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers with a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore...(Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, 80, powers past Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson, tying the game during the second quarter of an NFL showdown as the Steelers battle for an AFC North division playoff spot in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)Ravensxe2x80x99 Gus Edwards, right, cuts away from Steelersxe2x80x99 Patrick Peterson to run for 29 yards in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens\xe2\x80\x99 Arthur Maulet celebrates after recovering a Steelers fumble in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Steelers in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Ravens QB autographs Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs\xe2\x80\x99 jersey. The artist gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium.. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs, left, gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium..(Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore graphic artist Brian Bomster-Jabs, second left, gives an original digital painting depicting career highlights of Lamar Jackson to the Ravens quarterback before Steelers game at M&T Bank Stadium. On right is Mike White, father of Bomster-Jabs\xe2\x80\x99 girl friend. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Show Caption of Expand Defensive line The Ravens’ lack of a run defense continues to be a problem and it was especially glaring Saturday because the rainy weather forced both teams to run the ball. Pittsburgh had 155 yards on 39 carries and the Ravens had trouble containing halfback Najee Harris, who finished with 112 yards on 26 attempts. The Steelers did a good job trapping Ravens defensive ends Justin Madubuike and Brent Urban and got outside several times on tosses, especially early in the game. The Miami Dolphins also gave the Ravens trouble with toss plays last week. Grade: D Linebackers The Ravens rested middle linebacker Roquan Smith, and it was a good move because he is irreplaceable. But his absence revealed that they don’t have a thumper inside. Weakside linebacker Patrick Queen looked lost without Smith, especially early in the game. Queen, though, played better near the end of the half, as did Del’Shawn Phillips, who filled in for Smith. Phillips finished with 13 tackles and Queen had eight. Outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jadeveon Clowney put a lot of pressure on quarterback Mason Rudolph and each recorded a sack, but the Steelers countered with a lot of quick passes. Pittsburgh also had success running counter plays and were able to get to the inside linebackers. Grade: C Secondary The Ravens turned in a solid effort despite playing without cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Kyle Hamilton. Reserve safety Geno Stone also left in the third quarter with a knee injury. This group also got some help from the weather because the Steelers played small ball and stayed with the short passes, but the Ravens will struggle if Rock Ya-Sin stays at cornerback. Starting safety Marcus Williams is also struggling and doesn’t show much speed. He made a poor jump on the ball on that 71-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson over the middle early in the fourth quarter. That was basically the only busted coverage by the Ravens. Grade: B+ Special teams Jordan Stout was outstanding and might have had his best day as a Raven, averaging 53.9 yards on seven punts, including a long of 66 yards. He consistently pinned the Steelers deep. Justin Tucker converted his only field goal attempt of 36 yards in the fourth quarter, but the Ravens allowed Calvin Austin III to average 18.4 yards on five punt returns, including a long of 34. Rookie linebacker Trenton Simpson had the only two special teams tackles. Grade: B+ Coaching The Ravens played hard and were in the game most of the time, and that’s pretty much anyone can ask from a team that didn’t play without their starting quarterback and two best defenders. The best news was that the Ravens came out of the game without any major injuries. Still, there were problems with pass protection and the Ravens once again struggled to defend the run. Those are minor things, but they could become big in the postseason. Grade: B View the full article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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