The Steelers missed several opportunities, losing to the Ravens, and in the end it cost them a chance to win the Division and put the Ravens away.
The Steelers’ hopes for an AFC North title took a significant hit in a frustrating loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers missed several opportunities to capitalize on turnovers, failing to recover crucial fumbles throughout the game, while Baltimore landed on every Steelers turnover.
Coach Tomlin was coaching to win and went for a gutsy fourth-and-six gamble from deep in Ravens territory. With the defense struggling all day Coach Tomlin trusted his offense over the struggling defense. They ultimately surrendered 418 total yards, highlighting their vulnerability against both the run and the pass.
The Steelers’ offense, while showing flashes of improvement under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith all season, was plagued by crucial mistakes. Russell Wilson, despite a very solid passing performance with 22 completions for 217 yards and two touchdowns, committed two costly turnovers. His ill-advised scramble in the second quarter, culminating in a strip-sack at the Ravens’ three-yard line, derailed a promising drive and allowed Baltimore to seize momentum with a 96-yard touchdown march. Later, a Wilson interception returned for a touchdown by Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey effectively sealed the Steelers’ fate, extending the Ravens’ lead to 31-17.
The Steelers’ found room to run and the ground game showed some promise, with Jaylen Warren leading the way with 92 yards from scrimmage. However, the lack of consistent rushing volume hindered their ability to control the clock and wear down the Ravens’ defense.
Once again, the absence of wide receiver George Pickens continued to impact the passing game, limiting the Steelers’ ability to create explosive plays. While Calvin Austin III showed some flashes of brilliance, the offense lacked the consistent big-play threat that Pickens provides.
The Steelers’ offensive line struggled to protect Wilson, allowing three sacks and consistent pressure throughout the game. Their inability to effectively handle interior blitzes proved costly, hindering Wilson’s timing and rhythm. Despite these challenges, the Steelers managed a respectable 5.3 yards per carry on the ground, a positive sign against a formidable Ravens front seven.
Defensively, the Steelers were overwhelmed by the Ravens’ rushing attack, surrendering a season-high 220 yards on the ground. Derrick Henry, the league’s leading rusher, carved through the Steelers’ front with relative ease, accumulating 162 yards on 24 carries. The absence of defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi further weakened the Steelers’ interior defense, leaving them vulnerable to Henry’s powerful runs.
The Steelers’ pass rush was non-existent, T.J. Watt, was largely ineffective. Watt, playing with a sprained ankle, was unable to generate consistent pressure on Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Steelers’ secondary, already depleted by injuries to key players like Donte Jackson and DeShon Elliott, suffered another blow with the loss of Joey Porter Jr. early in the game. This further exposed the Steelers’ defensive backfield, allowing Jackson to exploit their coverage lapses with several big passing plays.
Special teams also played a role in the Steelers’ downfall. Chris Boswell chose the worst time of the year to have his biggest miscue of the season. The usually reliable kicker, sailed a kickoff out of bounds in the third quarter, gifting the Ravens excellent field position and setting the stage for another Baltimore touchdown.
The loss to the Ravens dealt a significant blow to the Steelers’ division title aspiration. They now face a critical stretch of games, needing to address their defensive deficiencies and find ways to generate more explosive plays on offense to keep their postseason hopes alive.
BEER WE GO, STEELERS BEER WE GO.
My “GAME BEER” goes to: Jaylen Warren, the guy plays like a bowling ball, and he gave the Ravens all they could handle between his 5 catches and 12 carries. Also Considered: Calvin Austin III who is becoming a deep threat.
Beer of the Game: I finished off the Yuengling Flight, KGB again went with Harpoon Holiday Ale, both seem to have had their luck run out.
“Steel the Snacks”: We went with Maryland Crab Cakes that were outstanding. KGB made them homemade and put them together. One of my favorite snacks that we have had.
My stat of the week: Steelers forced three fumbles and had a big interception and scored zero points. The Ravens had two turnovers and score 14 points, that was a huge back breaker, and the Steelers could not recover.
My thoughts on next week: AS in two days from now. The Steelers will play on Christmas Day v. the champs. They need a near flawless performance and need to play much tighter than they did versus the Ravens.
Jersey of the Week: Franco Harris, #32 Hall of Fame edition. It had been two years to the day since we lost Franco. Wanted to honor him.