Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card in Loss Against the Baltimore Ravens
The Pittsburgh Steelers head into their bye week sitting at 3-1 following a last second loss to the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on Sunday.
The loss was very reminiscent of last season.
Pittsburgh’s offense had trouble scoring touchdowns. Jeff Reed missed clutch field goals that would have been the difference in the game. More importantly, the defense was unable to hold a late lead, allowing the Ravens to drive 40 yards for the game winning touchdown in the final seconds.
Though the loss will leave a bitter taste, the Steelers have to be satisfied with their 3-1 start without Ben Roethlisberger as they look to be a team that will challenge for a division title.
Quarterback – C
1 of 11
After a very good game last week, Charlie Batch put up pedestrian numbers against the Ravens.
Batch finished 12 for 21 for only 141 yards and an interception.
The Steelers were unable to move the ball effectively with Batch under center, including failing to convert on two turnovers in the Ravens zone, including a costly sack that Batch took to push a field goal attempt to nearly 50 yards.
Batch was unable to connect with Mike Wallace on a number of deep attempts and though he had time to throw, was unable to find receivers.
In the end, Batch did not cost the team the game with a mistake, but rather was unable to get the same production out of the offense that he had last week.
Season GPA: 2.02
Running Back – B
2 of 11
Rashard Mendenhall only had 79 yards on 25 carries, but he was one of the bright spots for Pittsburgh.
With two touchdowns, Mendenhall was able to convert twice inside the Ravens’ redzone.
Pittsburgh once again failed to get Mendenhall involved in the passing game. He finished with two receptions for nine yards.
However, it was discouraging that the Steelers were not more effective given Cleveland’s success against Baltimore last week.
Pittsburgh’s other running backs were none factors.
Season GPA: 3.35
Wide Receivers – B-
3 of 11
Hines Ward, Antwaan Randle El, and Wallace each had two receptions each, but overall they struggled to get open against Baltimore’s secondary.
Batch was often sitting in the pocket waiting for a receiver to get open and there was not much success.
This week, Bruce Arians had the receivers running deeper patterns and they were unable to successfully execute these plays.
Pittsburgh, at some point, will have to get Emmanuel Sanders into the lineup to give them some much needed speed at the wide receiver position.
Arnaz Battle has not shown enough on special teams and did not have a catch again Sunday to warrant a roster spot.
Season GPA: 3.10
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Tight Ends – B
4 of 11
Heath Miller was once again ignored finishing with only two receptions for the second straight week.
Miller would have been the perfect weapon to go up against a tough Ravens defense, but this was not the case.
Matt Spaeth is not a factor in the passing game and had a penalty in the final minutes of the game when the Steelers were trying to run out the clock.
David Johnson had a good block on one of Mendenhall’s touchdown runs.
It was not a bad day for the tight ends, but they do need to get these players more involved in the passing game and that should happen when Roethlisberger steps back onto the field in two weeks.
Season GPA: 3.10
Offensive Line – B-
5 of 11
The Steelers struggled to get any push in the ground game as the team ran for only 84 yards with an average of 3.1 yards per carry.
They did only allow two sacks and gave Batch plenty of time to throw, but the performance wasn’t nearly as dominating as it was last week.
The line also played more undisciplined, being penalized multiple times, including a false start by Chris Kemoeatu late in the game as they were looking to run out the clock.
Maurkice Pouncey played well for the most part, but got called for holding and at times had his hands full with the tough defensive front of the Ravens.
Season GPA: 2.78
Defensive Line – B-
6 of 11
Pittsburgh’s defensive line only allowed 2.7 yards per carry, but was a factor in not stopping a Willis McGahee touchdown run.
They were not occupying their linemen throughout the game, meaning Joe Flacco had all day to throw as he picked apart the Steelers secondary at times.
This was evident as big plays by the linebackers were virtually non-existent.
One bright spot as Casey Hampton had a sack and forced fumble on Flacco.
The line rotation was also hurt without Chris Hoke in the lineup.
Season GPA: 3.60
Linebackers – C-
7 of 11
After being dominant for the first four weeks, Pittsburgh linebackers struggled on Sunday.
Lawrence Timmons had a game high 15 tackles and a fumble recovery, but he wasn’t the same factor that he had been over the first three weeks.
James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley were held without a sack and Woodley was virtually invisible throughout the entire game.
At one point, James Farrior found himself on the bench for Larry Foote. He had struggled, missing several tackles throughout the game.
When these players are not making plays, it does not mean good things for Pittsburgh’s defense.
Flacco did not have to face a ferocious pass rush and instead could calmly sit in the pocket and find the open receiver.
Season GPA: 3.18
Defensive Backs – C+
8 of 11
Pittsburgh’s secondary really helped Flacco look impressive Sunday.
They left receivers running wide open and gave too much of a cushion, especially on two late Baltimore drives.
Ike Taylor had a strong game in which he made his first interception of the season.
Byrant McFadden, who had a strong start to the season, got burnt on the game winning touchdown.
Ryan Clark made a couple of big hits, but was force to because he was not in position to make a play on the pass.
Pittsburgh’s best defender, Troy Polamalu, only made a few impact plays and was generally held in check by the Ravens.
Season GPA: 3.07
Special Teams – D-
9 of 11
Pittsburgh’s special teams did not have any big returns and Randle El muffed a punt, which was recovered by the Steelers.
This was a minor factor compared to Jeff Reed’s two missed field goals. For the year, his four missed field goals equal the total number that he missed last season.
Reed, historically a clutch kicker, missed two field goals following Baltimore turnovers and it ended up costing the team the game.
The only highlight on special teams was Daniel Sepulveda, who averaged 49.4 yards on five punts.
However, on his last punt, Keyaron Fox had a holding penalty which gave the Ravens an extra 10 yards, meaning their game winning drive began at the Steelers 40-yard line.
Season GPA: 2.78
Coaching – C-
10 of 11
At the start of the season, anyone would have taken a 3-1 record. But expectations change with performance.
The Steelers set their standards high with their early season performance and Sunday was a letdown.
Offensively, the Steelers were predictable at times, but also took too many shots down field when it was not working.
Defensively, the Steelers were unable to get any pressure on Flacco. Considering his struggles against Pittsburgh, especially when put under pressure, the defensive game plan left much to be desired.
Still, the defense set up the offense in great field position twice and both times they failed to convert, with Reed missing two field goals.
They also had one inexplicable reverse call that only picked up one yard.
Pittsburgh was also very undisciplined, finishing with 11 penalties for 88 yards.
Season GPA: 2.85
Study Up: What Must Improve
11 of 11
Pittsburgh has a bye week to correct the mistakes and weaknesses that were uncovered on Sunday.
More importantly, the Steelers now have two weeks to prepare with Roethlisberger.
Against the Browns, the Steelers will finally be able to step onto the field with their franchise quarterback.
The team has already showed that they can be one of the best in the league this year, but they will have to properly prepare and not get overconfident once Roethlisberger is back on the field.
Roethlisberger’s return will be a huge boost for an already good Steelers team.
Follow me on Twitter.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")