408 replies to this topic

[Slidemaster]

I also don't like the 33 passes to 19 rushes in such a tight game. Its almost always a recipe for a Ravens loss.

It's the playoffs panic mindset. They do the same thing in the postseason. That's why I'm not letting myself get fooled again.

[Slidemaster]

During Lamar's time as QB, the script has been the same for this team. Perform well overall, look like a SB contender, then choke in crucial situations (playoffs).

Until they actually win a SB, I have no faith they can win one. This team has obliterated my confidence level time and time again and end up making me feel like a fool for believing in them.

Considering how savagely you trashed me for having the same opinion earlier this season, this is super hilarious.

[85Knight]

I'm over local announcers and even a lot of people here saying that the Ravens only lose when they beat themselves. Sure, pretty much every team can say that. And the narrative that the Ravens offense is unstoppable is just a myth. They were not stopped, but they sure were contained. The three turnovers they had were the result of an aggressive Steelers defense. You can't say we beat ourselves and then turn around on another day and say our defense forced X amount of turnovers. The Steelers defense forced everyone of those turnovers by ripping at the ball and playing aggressive. And the Ravens also punted 4 times today. That's not an unstoppable offense.

That is the formula they have used to beat the Ravens in the Lamar Jackson era. Their offense is challenged at best. But they had 7 scoring opportunities and converted FG's on 6 of them. It was good enough to win. It's the formula they use against the Ravens every year. Play aggressive defense, take points when you get them, and either beat the Ravens at the end, or hold on to prevent them from winning at the end. We saw it with an older Roethlisberger, with a weak Kenny Pickett, and now with an older, game manager Russell Wilson.

I'm also not convinced that the defense is fixed. Holding Russell Wilson to just over 200 yards is not a tremendous feat. Last week Wilson threw for 195 in a win against Washington. That's Pittsburgh's offense. It's ugly. They play to keep the game close and win at the end with some kind of big play either defensively or offensively. I will say the defense is fixed when they put three games in a row not giving up big plays in the passing department.

Every AFC team that plays the Ravens should be studying the film of this game. The Steelers contain Jackson by not letting him get outside and getting quick pressure on him. They don't let him have time to think through progressions. You can't stop a great player like Jackson, but if you contain him enough you give your team a chance to win. None of the Steeler's wins against the Ravens are impressive, they are all ugly. That's how Tomlin's teams work.

It won't get any easier next week. The Chargers defense looks just as aggressive as the Steelers defense. And Jim would just love to beat his brother.

This game was the perfect example of beating yourself. Missed field goals, penalties, turnovers and questionable coaching decisions. I don't how much more they could have done wrong.

Time will tell if the pass defense is completely fixed but benching Williams and playing Washington along with putting Hamilton back there in a lot of cover 2 sure did look a lot different. The announcers noticed that there was a definitive approach to trying to keep everything in front of them in this game. Now that was more pronounced because that's Wilson's strength but we'll see if they can keep this up moving forward.

[Biggsy]

It's the playoffs panic mindset. They do the same thing in the postseason. That's why I'm not letting myself get fooled again.

23 passes to 19 runs before the final drive. Should they have run the ball in a 2 min drill ?

[bmore_ken]

I'm over local announcers and even a lot of people here saying that the Ravens only lose when they beat themselves. Sure, pretty much every team can say that. And the narrative that the Ravens offense is unstoppable is just a myth. They were not stopped, but they sure were contained. The three turnovers they had were the result of an aggressive Steelers defense. You can't say we beat ourselves and then turn around on another day and say our defense forced X amount of turnovers. The Steelers defense forced everyone of those turnovers by ripping at the ball and playing aggressive. And the Ravens also punted 4 times today. That's not an unstoppable offense.

At some point you just have to admit when you're outplayed. The Steelers defense wasn't playing. Henry and Hill didn't just hand the ball over, the Steelers D took it.

[bmore_ken]

This game was the perfect example of beating yourself. Missed field goals, penalties, turnovers and questionable coaching decisions. I don't how much more they could have done wrong.

Time will tell if the pass defense is completely fixed but benching Williams and playing Washington along with putting Hamilton back there in a lot of cover 2 sure did look a lot different. The announcers noticed the that there was a definitive approach to trying to keep everything in front of them in this game. Now that was more pronounced because that's Wilson's strength but we'll see if they can keep this up moving forward.

I don't think there's anything fixed about the defense. Wilson isn't Burrow and the Steelers haven't scored a bunch all season.

[Mackus]

I don't think there's anything fixed about the defense. Wilson isn't Burrow and the Steelers haven't scored a bunch all season.

 

Don't think anyone has said they are fixed.  To be fixed they'd need to play well multiple games in a row, as implied in the post you quoted.  It was an encouraging step in the right direction as they definitely played well yesterday.  Wouldn't say great, but well, which is a marked improvement.

 

Only 6 field goals, 2 of which were not really their fault with the Steelers taking over already in FG range, plus two turnovers forced (if you include the one on downs).  Wanna see it again (and again), but it was the best defensive effort since Buffalo.  Better than Denver, IMO, despite that being fewer points allowed.  They crapped the bed after Denver, so need to see some follow up to this effort.  Roquon's health may be a big factor, as he finally played a really good game before hurting the hammy.

[cprenegade]

I definitely feel like the Ravens mistakes contributed to the loss, but I also believe Pittsburgh's defensive scheme and execution played a large part in that loss.  The missed FGs were clearly on Tucker who is kicking his way out of Canton.  And the penalties are mostly discipline issues, but the three turnovers were all because of aggressive defensive play.   

 

16 points is a season low for the Ravens scoring.  Lamar Jackson was held to 207 yards passing.  Half of that came on the final drive.  Prior to that drive he was barely over 100 yards.  The only two lower passing games were Buffalo and Dallas, both blowouts when the Ravens ran he ball most of the second half.  He completed less than 50% of his passes for the first time this year.  His QB rating of 66 was 50 points lower than his season average and his QBR rating of 59.6 was almost 20 points lower than his season average.  Pittsburgh allowed him to run for 46 yards, but half of that was on one rush.  I call that containment.  If I'm a DC I will take that every time I go up against Lamar.  

 

It was a game only because Pittsburgh's offense is challenged when it comes to finishing drives.  Russell Wilson is a game manager, not a dynamic QB.  If Joe Burrow had that kind of defensive team effort the Bengals would have routed the Ravens.  Cincy fans have to be sick.  Pittsburgh got no TDs and won the game.  Burrow threw for 9 TDs on the Ravens, scored 72 points on the Ravens D and lost both games.

 

It was the kind of game Pittsburgh plays.  It's their only chance at winning.  If they had to go toe to toe in an offensive back and forth with anybody they are going to lose.  They don't have the offense to keep up.  Next game in Baltimore might be totally different.  But this is how Pittsburgh has mostly played the Ravens in the Lamar Jackson era.  The last time either team scored over 20 points against each other was in 2020 in a 28-24 Pittsburgh win.  Every game since each team has scored 20 or less points.    

[hallas]

I don't think there's anything fixed about the defense. Wilson isn't Burrow and the Steelers haven't scored a bunch all season.

Wilson isn't Jameis Winston either and I mean that as a positive to Wilson.