The Baltimore Ravens needed a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers to avoid getting off to an 0-2 start on the season. It was clear that there was a sense of urgency as they jumped out to an early 10-0 lead. They ended up beating the Steelers 26-6. Obviously the Ray Rice situation is something that many felt would be a distraction, but that wasn’t the case. The players were too focused on hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers to concern themselves with any off the field issues. Steve Smith Sr. said that it was important to compartmentalize everything and to keep pushing forward.
Gary Kubiak called an excellent game that got Joe Flacco into into a nice rhythm. They also rediscovered the rushing game. The offense was balanced. Flacco threw the ball 29 times and was good on 21 of them. They rushed the ball 36 times. Bernard Pierce let the way with 96 yards rushing. It was crucial to get him back on track after a sub-par performance against the Steelers.
One of the keys to the game was to get Flacco into some kind of comfort zone, even when the blitz was being dialed up. He was able to connect with Smith Sr. on a couple of third down plays. Smith Sr. made the catch and got the chains moved. The effort that he puts forth remarkable. Flacco was also able to connect with his tight ends frequently in the middle of the field.
The Ravens defense suffocated the Steelers offesnse, only allowing six points in the game. Elvis Dumervil had two sacks on the night and was in the Steelers backfield frequently. Pernell McPhee and Terrell Suggs were also a key part of the pass rush.
Next up for the Ravens will be a road game the Cleveland Browns. This is another divisional game and that gives the Ravens a chance to get off to a 2-1 start within the AFC North. Joe Flacco was asked what the team’s identity is. “This is a very good team. We will always be a physical team. We are going to show you who we are. We’re only two games in and we will continue to play with confidence.” Flacco continued: “We won’t come out here and claim to be all kinds of wild things. We are a physical team that will come out there and come at you every way. We will come out there and play efficient football.”
Random Thoughts:
- The Browns will show more of a man scheme than the Steelers which could work in the Steve Smith Sr’s favor. He was a force against the Steelers corners and will face two good ones in Joe Haden and Justin Gilbert.
-The Steelers corners initially played a lot of off coverage and the Ravens made them pay. They were able to find a groove with the short passing game but that changed once the Steelers began to press. The Browns will definitely press most of the time so it will be up to the receivers to get off the line and get open for their quarterback.
- There has been some talk about a separate package that includes some plays especially put together for Johnny Manziel. This is something that wasn’t shown in week one but it is surely something that the Ravens will need to be prepared for.
- Flacco looked much more at ease in the offense and will look to carry that over to next week when he faces a very good Browns defense.
-The Ravens did a better job of controlling the line of scrimmage against the Steelers. Defensively, they were able to get to Roethlisberger but he still made some plays in the face of the pressure. Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer is not the same kind of quarterback. He can be pressured into bad throws. This could be a game that hinges on a key turnover by the defense.
-The Ravens ran for a total of 157 yards against the Steelers. This is right in line with what Kubiak has said that he is looking to do with his new team. The Browns have a stout rushing defense. Jeremy Zuttah was able to move defenders off the line really well against the Steelers. He will have his hands full against big Ahtyba Rubin.
-The Red zone woes continued for the Ravens. They were able to score touchdowns on two of their six visits to the red zone. That’s a 33% efficiency rate. The goal line efficiency was slightly better at 41% as they were able to convert on two of their five visits inside the ten yard line. They will need to keep progressing in this area when they visit Cleveland next week.
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