Ravens Vs Steelers: Was Cam Cameron at Fault For Baltimore's Epic Collapse?

The Baltimore Ravens suffer another heartbreaking loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, capping a 2010-2011 NFL season with tons of highs and lows.

After leading 21-7 at the half, the Ravens were outscored 24-3 in the second half. All in all it was an utter collapse against its most hated rival, and the team needs to go back to the drawing board in the off season.

Here are my immediate reactions to the Ravens loss.

Follow me on twitter.com: twitter.com/MattMiselis

The Ravens Receivers Didn't Step up When It Mattered Most

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Tight end Todd Heap #86 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring on a four-yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 201

The Baltimore Ravens offense ended the season with the same theme: unable to live up to expectations.

Receivers Anquan Boldin, TJ Houshmandzadeh, and Derrick Mason were non-factors for most of the game against the Steelers.

Boldin's dropped ball in the end zone was inexcusable, along with Houshmandzadeh's final drop to end the game.

Granted the offensive performance as a whole wasn't great, but it could have gone a different way if the receivers helped out Joe Flacco.

Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis and Ravens Defense Played Their Heart Out

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after sacking quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, P

In the end, Ravens fans can not be upset too much at the Ravens defense. They played their heart out.

Terrell Suggs backed up his talking with three sacks of Ben Roethlisberger. Veterans Ray Lewis and Ed Reed put their bodies on the line.

The Ravens defense held the Steelers to seven points in the first half, and were vulnerable after turnovers by the Ravens offense.

There should be confidence heading into next season that this defense can still be elite.

Offensive Protection Was Horrible Against Pittsburgh

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Michael Oher #74 of the Baltimore Ravens blocks against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

The offensive protection for Joe Flacco proved to be inconsistent throughout the season, and it ended in utter defeat.

Pittsburgh's defensive front did not allow any room in the running game, and rarely allowed Flacco to have time to look down the field.

I didn't realize how much Jared Gaither meant to this team ( went down with injury, was placed on IR in week one).

Michael Oher had his leaps and bounds, but may not be ready to take on the left tackle spot just yet.

Joe Flacco Has More Work to Do in His Development As a QB

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Gett

The Ravens loss to Pittsburgh ends the third season for quarterback Joe Flacco.

Flacco showed some promise in this third season, with the ability to lead game winning drives in pressure situations.

However, Joe still has work to do this off season. He needs to avoid choking under pressure and avoid turnovers he tends to make in these crucial games.

More importantly, I need to see Flacco beat the Steelers when Ben Roethlisberger is at the helm.

Cam Cameron Needs to Go As Ravens Offensive Coordinator

Getty Images/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - 2008: Cam Cameron of the Baltimore Ravens poses for his 2008 NFL headshot at photo day in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Getty Images)

The lack of offense in the loss to the Steelers highlights a disappointing season for a Ravens offense that had plenty of hype to enter the season.

Most of the blame should go to offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. Granted, he didn't drop any passes today or give up any sacks. However, his play-calling has been called into question by the media and fans in Baltimore for most of this season.

The conservative approach of the Ravens offense in the second half was inexcusable. I also wonder why receiver Dante Stallworth, the only target with good speed, was not used once in the game.

Ozzie Newsome is poised to make some changes next year, and it may need to start with the guy calling majority of the offensive plays.