The Pittsburgh Steelers relied on six Chris Boswell field goals to defeat the rival Baltimore Ravens 18-16. The win moves the Steelers to 8-2 while the Ravens drop to 7-4. Here are my quick hitting observations on the game.
Offense
-Offense bogs down following the fumble recovery and settles for the FG. Credit BAL for locking down receivers. Arthur Smith will need to get creative with routes.
-Early third and one deep shot to Calvin Austin III… I’d prefer to move the chains. Keep my on the field and my defense rested.
-Offensive line has surrendered four sacks in the first half. Russell Wilson (23/36 205 yards INT) struggling to find open receivers too. The good news is that Wilson wasn’t sacked at all in the second half as they got the ball out much quicker.
-I am convinced that Wilson was throwing a jump ball to Darnell Washington (2 Rec 42 yards) in the end zone. Sadly, DWash wasn’t on the same page.
-When Roquan Smith went out with a hamstring injury the Steelers’ running game immediately improved.
-George Pickens (8 Rec 89 yards) is too talented to NOT get his other foot down. We’ve seen it twice this season in situations that weren’t nearly as difficult as other catches he’s made. He also made some great catches and used his legs to get yards.
-Najee Harris (18 Car 63 yards) and Jaylen Warren (9 Car 41 yards) both had important touches today. They also combined for eight catches an 57 yards.
-Broderick Jones is not playing consistently well enough. After a positive step last week, he gave up multiple sacks and was flagged a couple of times too for holding.
-Pat Freiermuth had two receptions for 14 yards. I’m sorry but I need more from my tight end making the money that he is.
-Where was Mike Williams?
Defense
-Terrific play by Nick Herbig coming from the backside to strip Derrick Henry.
-Why does Joey Porter, Jr get so lazy in pursuit? There were several plays where he looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. In fairness, I thought he made a helluva play on the two-point try as he aggressively came up and wrapped Lamar Jackson.
-Teryl Austin is moving T.J. Watt around more. Clearly trying to get him going.
-What a collision between T.J. Watt and Derrick Henry. I think that’s how explosions happen.
-Dean Lowry had some important snap today. He had an important sack on a play where Lamar Jackson could have had a ton more yards and he knocked down a pass as well.
-Good for Patrick Queen. You could tell this game was personal for him and he played like it. 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Pretty damn impressive.
-Can’t say enough about Payton Wilson’s interception. To hang with the receiver and then strip the ball from him while going down was pretty damn impressive!
-I’m very concerned about Keannu Benton. On a short week, I hope the injury is not serious.
-Cam Heyward. Four tackles and two passes knocked down. He just keeps on chugging.
Special Teams
-Incredible to see Justin Tucker miss a field goal. Make it two.
-Chris Boswell two-for-two in the first half. Make that three-for-three. In fact, make it six-for-six as he accounts for all of the Steelers’ points for the second time this season in a win.
-Great performances from Ben Skowronek and Tyler Matakevich on Teams today. They both drew holding flags and had tackles too.
-Corliss Waitman punted four times. He averaged 56.5 yards per punt.
Coaching
-I question Mike Tomlin using his first timeout on the Ravens’ two-point conversion. I wonder how things would have played out had the Ravens been successful. Would not having that TO have cost the Steelers?
-I also have some questions for Arthur Smith too. Seems like it took way too long to adjust to the Ravens’ pressure.
Officiating
-Anytime you officiate a rivalry game like this you walk a fine line in terms of how to handle discipline. For the most part, Clay Martin’s crew was decent. I think they could have sent a message with earlier offsetting penalties but that’s hard to say.
