The Ravens drop another divisional game in a late-game loss to the Steelers, 27-22. The Ravens are now at 6-7 with their season fully on the operating table, waiting to be saved.
The Good
Lamar Jackson: Lamar Jackson had
what was probably his best game since returning from injury. He took shots deep down the sideline and was accurate. He ran the ball with decisiveness and continues to look healthier and healthier each week. There were more designed runs for him as well, showing the confidence in his body building back up. He wasn’t perfect, but it gives hope for the future that the Ravens franchise quarterback is getting closer and closer to potentially returning to his top form.
Derrick Henry: While the Ravens’ listless first half was largely due to not running the ball well, they did a great job of it in the second half. Henry finished with 25 carries for 98 yards, a modest 3.8 yards a carry. But while that means that the Ravens didn’t have renowned success, they stuck with it, especially in the second half, while they were down, and that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Zay Flowers: There’s been a lot of chatter around Flowers recently, and he turned in one of his best games of the season after a slow stretch. Eight catches for 124 yards, one of the strongest performances of any Raven on Sunday. He started early with a massive sideline catch while going to the ground, showing the top-end performance that makes him a #1 receiver on a team.
Keaton Mitchell: Remember when they had this guy as a healthy scratch for weeks? Well, now he seems to make at least one explosive play a game and makes a lot of his touches. Six carries for 76 yards, including the massive 55-yarder to kick start the Ravens’ second half. Unfortunately, he injured his knee and couldn’t complete the run into the end zone. Luckily, the Ravens today said that Mitchell is only day-to-day and the injury isn’t serious.
The Bad
Lamar Jackson: He’s been playing better and getting healthier, but frankly, it’s not enough. Is it fair to say Jackson isn’t doing enough when he’s carried this franchise for years? No, but that’s being the franchise quarterback, unfortunately. When you are a multi-time MVP, that’s what the team needs out of you. The interception he threw was about as ugly as it gets when Jackson isn’t playing to his potential. They need him to take the final step up if they want to make the playoffs.
Isaiah Likely: Let me start by saying, it should have been a touchdown. That being said, a week after Likely fumbled a touchdown away, he couldn’t hold on to the potentially game-winning score. As bad as the reversal call was, the NFL has had issues with knowing what a catch is for years. You can’t depend on them to get calls right these days. Hold on to the ball.
Rashod Bateman: Fourth quarter, third down in the red zone, down by 11 points. Targeted with space to run, Rashod Bateman could easily get the first down, maybe even make a move or two and reach the endzone. Instead, he dropped it. The Ravens are going to need Bateman in order to make a run these next couple of weeks. He’s one of their best man beaters and a great red zone target. They can’t afford any more errors.
Defense: Pittsburgh’s offense was anemic coming in. One of the worst downfield passing attacks all year. But the Steelers came in and threw the ball across the field. Both Aaron Rodgers and D.K. Metcalf finished with season highs in yards. They had multiple passes over 20 air yards, after zero in November. The Ravens could not pressure all game. They did well to stop the run and eliminate the short pass game and yards after the catch, but Rodgers was able to consistently hit shots down the field and scramble for plays. I’m not sure what Zach Orr’s future is, or if it’s in Baltimore. I think he’s a smart football guy, but these last two seasons hang heavily.
Special Teams: Tyler Loop missed an extra point, and his kickoffs have become an issue with short distances, leading to large returns. The kickoff returns have been less than thrilling, with the Ravens’ returners frequently getting stopped before the 30-yard line. LaJohntay Wester hasn’t made a big return in weeks. A unit that once seemed improved over last season has floundered since the Cleveland game. You shoot yourself in the leg when you can’t make hay on special teams.
2-minute drill: Despite Likely’s touchdown being taken away, the Ravens somehow still got the ball back one last time with the chance to take the lead and win the game. The Ravens had the ball on their own 26-yard line with 1:56 left to play and a timeout to use. There were fewer than 30 seconds left before they even got passed midfield. It was sloppy and utterly disappointing, especially considering Lamar Jackson has had success in moments like these.
The Ugly
The Referees: Just an abysmal, awful performance. Isaiah Likely’s touchdown reversal and the Aaron Rodgers interception that they eventually changed to a catch by Rodgers are the first to come to mind. We could argue all day about whether or not Isaiah Likely completed the actions required to make the catch. But if Likely didn’t do so and the touchdown was reversed, I just don’t understand how Rodgers could have completed his “catch” despite the fact that he didn’t survive the ground and the ball finished in Teddye Buchanan’s hands. It’s ridiculous that every year for multiple decades, this discussion has gone on, and we still don’t really know what a catch in an NFL game is yet.
Then add on the Travis Jones’ roughing call on the field goal early in the game. The penalty was called, which gave the Steelers a fresh set of downs right at the 6-yard line. The Steelers go on to score a touchdown, a four-point swing. John Harbaugh reported the day after the game that the league told him they got it wrong and it should not have been called. Unbelievable calls that swing a game.
The Ravens’ playoff chances: The Ravens fall to 6-7 with the Steelers now leading the division. But the Ravens still control their destiny. All they have to do is win out and they are in. It just takes going on the road and beating the Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Oh, they also have to beat the number one-seeded New England Patriots at home, in a game flexed to primetime. It’s not looking easy for the Ravens, and there is serious doubt about the Ravens making it.
