Heading into Steelers week number two, the Ravens find themselves solid favorites against the team that has been in first place in the AFC North for most of the season. Somehow, the Steelers have dominated the Ravens over the last few seasons, winning games in ugly ways – but winning them nevertheless.
This week I spent no time watching tape of the Ravens win over the junior varsity Giants. Instead, I took a hard look at the Steelers matchup with the Eagles. Below, I share a few opinions from that game, and what they could mean as the Ravens face a must win game for divisional purposes.
Diontae Johnson
Saga over. What a knucklehead! Enough said.
Steelers Week – A Word on Trenton Simpson
As readers likely know, I’m squarely not in the camp that Trenton Simpson should be sitting. This could be a serious mistake this week given how the Steelers use their running backs, which I get to below. Yes, Malik Harrison is solid against the run; he’s a good player coming forward, and in a must-stop run down I have no problem with him playing on the inside or on the edge. But let’s not overplay this. Simpson is the much better athlete and has made his share of plays.
Then there’s Chris Board, who the Ravens suggest is suddenly the answer on passing downs. Board brings smarts, but he’s not the athlete either. The problem with the Harrison-Board combo is that it is just that. Zach Orr better have the correct platoon player on the field for each play, because both Harrison and Board have real limits; Harrison in the passing game and Board in the running game.
Sure, other teams run platoons on the inside, including the Steelers. But I don’t love the Ravens combo, and just don’t see why Simpson should be entirely riding the pines. I take nothing out of the fact that they shut down the Giants. Nothing.
Steelers Week – One More Word on the Edge Defenders
I’ll try to make this my last Tavius Robinson outcry for this season, though I doubt I’ll keep my word. But the coaches joyful words of Tavius love this week don’t fool me. Tavius remains a limited player who plays too much. To me, he’s strictly a run defender. But it’s not as if he’s Courtney Upshaw against the run. All of the pass rush data (and my lyin’ eyes) define Robinson as a non-existent pass rusher who draws no attention from the opponent. Ten years from now when we reflect on all of the prominent edge defenders the Ravens fielded over the years, Tavius will not come to mind.
David Ojabo made no progress last week. Odafe Oweh remains relegated to playing on pass rush downs. And the Ravens best rusher remains Kyle Van Noy. Truly, a weakness on the defense that can’t be hidden.
Now we might say that this calls for the Ravens to use some stunts to free up their two inside rushers (Madubuike and Jones). But the danger with a failed stunt is opening up the edge to Russell Wilson, where he’s more effective. It’s not worth the tradeoff, at least not more than once or twice.
Steelers Offensive Insights From the Eagles Game, Part 1
A couple of things really stood out from the Eagles game. First, without George Pickens, the Steelers wide receivers just can’t beat man coverage. Yes, Calvin Austin won a few quick cut in routes. But no one won down the field, and the Steelers are fielding a receiving group that looks like what the Ravens used to bring. This is a below average group, to say the least. And they lack speed. If I’m Zach Orr, I wouldn’t hesitate to play a bunch of man against Pittsburgh, instead of giving them underneath soft zones, as the Ravens typically offer in their zone coverages.
Second, the Steelers ran a lot of one and three step throws, almost all of which went to the outside. Perhaps this was because the Eagles front group brought a lot of pressure (with speed from their inside linebackers). But it was obvious that Pittsburgh wanted Russell Wilson to get rid of the ball quickly, and preferred him doing that to the outside.
Third, both Steelers offensive tackles appeared challenged in pass protection. Broderick Jones can be attacked under his pads and the Ravens should do just that. The Steelers offensive line as a whole was just mediocre in the power run game. Now the Ravens are not well equipped to attack Pittsburgh’s tackles, but if memory serves Oweh had a pretty good game against them in the first meeting. We’ll see if Orr gives Oweh more run on Saturday.
Steelers Offensive Thoughts, Part Two
Pittsburgh ran only one trick play against Philadelphia (a flea flicker). I expect a bit more trickery this week given the lack of explosiveness on the outside.
The Steelers will highlight Pat Freiermuth if they can. Frankly, he’s the safety blanket that I would try to take away from Wilson.
Wilson’s arm strength looked a bit lacking to me. Yes, he still lofts deeper targets with very good accuracy. But drilling the ball down the field through tight windows is more of a challenge. This again suggests that the Ravens should force him to do just that; by playing more tight man coverages.
The Steelers like to get Jaylen Warren the ball through the air, and they certainly will against the Ravens this week. This is where Zach Orr better be on his game, as I expect that anytime Malik Harrison lines up as an inside linebacker, Arthur Smith/Russell Wilson will try to isolate him on Warren. That is a Ravens disaster waiting to happen. Expect Warren to go into motion in these situations and/or line up on the outside. Motion will reveal how the Ravens are defending Warren. I consider him to be the biggest offensive variable heading into the game.
Steelers Defensive Insights, Part One
The Eagles have excellent offensive tackles, and did not give either tackle much help against the Steelers outstanding edge defenders. No chipping on T.J. Watt. The Ravens cannot afford to let Roger Rosengarten stand on an island against Watt, who has simply wrecked the Ravens for years. And Ronnie Stanley, who’s been weakest against speed, will have to contend with Alex Highsmith, who missed the first contest.
Some quicker release routes should be in order for the Ravens against the Steelers pressure. Quick stuff, either right at Watt’s side or crossing in front of Lamar. Like the Ravens, the Steelers offer up underneath routes in their zone coverages. Lamar needs to be willing to take some of these easy yards, instead of trying to make every big play.
Landon Roberts is the Steelers version of Malik Harrison on the inside. He plays on running downs, particularly on first down. The Eagles ran a play that I just loved last week, consisting of a four receiver spread look on first down. Watt and Highsmith lined up very wide. This left Roberts alone on the inside to guard the middle of the field. Philly gave Saquan Barkley the ball from this formation, picking up 22 yards as there just weren’t enough defenders to stop this run. I’m thinking Derrick Henry in the same look.
Further, the Ravens should try to isolate Roberts on Mark Andrews or Isaiah Likely on some of these first downs. Roberts isn’t adept at turning and running, and this should be something Todd Monken looks to set up. Big advantage Ravens if they can isolate Roberts in pass coverage. And if it’s Patrick Queen in the matchup, well, bring it on!
Pittsburgh’s interior defenders, including their backups, are very strong against the run. I don’t think the Ravens will win too often running power looks to the inside. The Eagles, with their more formidable offensive front, did not muster too much from their power runs.
Steelers Defensive Insights, Part Two
The Eagles ran a lot of quick hitters to the inside against the Steelers linebackers and slot corners. Dinking and dunking, which worked to great effect. They were patient in their pass attack, though Jalen Hurts wasn’t particularly astute in picking out the correct receiver to throw to. Moreover, Philadelphia used their running backs a lot in the passing game, trying to take advantage of that inside linebacker group which just isn’t that effective stopping the pass. The Ravens should emulate that, and not just with Justice Hill.
Readers might recall that Minkah Fitzpatrick had a terrible time trying to cover Mark Andrews in the first matchup. Andrews should figure very prominently this week. Fitzpatrick on Andrews forces Pittsburgh to leave Damontae Kazee on the back end. Kazee can be attacked, and the Ravens should go after him if their line can protect. If Rashod Bateman plays, a few go routes should be in order. But with Deshon Elliott out, there is opportunity for the Ravens to go after the Steelers down the field.
J.J. Watt was susceptible to the run option last week against the Eagles. On two occasions he simply dove inside trying to get to Barkley, but Hurts kept the ball for big gains. Watt attacks like no other edge defender. He’s full speed from the go. The Ravens should test him against the run option. For that matter, they don’t throw enough right over Watt’s head. They should.
The Kickers
The Steelers have a big advantage here, like it or not. What will we get from Justin Tucker this week? Relax, and just kick.
The Ravens Defensive Backfield
They weren’t challenged last week, and the Steelers don’t offer a great deal this week. It’s important that the Ravens keep Wilson in the pocket, where he’s just another guy, with a bunch of batted passes. If he gets to the edge buying time, it will allow those mediocre receivers more opportunity to win.
How the Ravens handle Brandon Stephens from here on out will be interesting. He’s a complete liability at this point, and Tre’Davious White deserves more playing time as a general proposition. He’ll likely get it against the Texans, though I’m not sure against the Steelers. But the Ravens just can’t allow Stephens to get high snap counts in coverage against the better passing squads. Everyone knows – he can’t turn to the ball. And if you can’t turn to the ball, the quarterback will throw it your way every time no matter how closely you cover the receiver.
Steelers Week – If Bateman Can’t Play
In that scenario, the beneficiary should be the Ravens two receiving tight ends, particularly Isaiah Likely. It will be difficult for the Steelers to assign a nickel corner to Likely, at least on downs where the Ravens could either run or pass. You just don’t want to take a linebacker or safety off the field when the Ravens might run the ball. I’d get Likely involved very early in this game, both to make the Steelers defend him, and because he should be a big matchup winner.
With Bateman out, Zay Flowers’ running mate will be Tylan Wallace. It’s precisely why Eric DeCosta took the Diontae Johnson gamble, and that fool screwed only himself. Well, the Ravens too, because with Nelson Agholor out this week, they could have really used him. We will see how much run Devontez Walker or Anthony Miller get. But without Bateman, the Ravens will lose some explosiveness and offensive capability.
Now I hate asking rookie receivers who haven’t played to make big plays in big games. But Devontez Walker ran a 4.36 forty. If Bateman can’t go, a go route or two to Walker, if you trust him, should be in order. I raised a lot of questions about Walker’s hands during last year’s pre-draft review. Perhaps we’ll get a test or two against Pittsburgh?
Lamar
For all of this analysis, in the end it’s likely all about Lamar. Jackson has never played well against the Steelers. He should take what’s given him a bit more often, because extending plays against the Steelers rushers is no easy task. Lamar should be wiser, calmer, and a bit more patient. Even without Bateman, the Steelers will have plenty to contend with.
The Christmas Game – A Post?
I hope I don’t disappoint readers, but don’t count on a post for the Christmas game. Just too short of a week for your humble blogger. Maybe something short?
