Baltimore Beatdown
Grading the Ravens’ position groups in their Week 11 loss to the Steelers.
Coaching: C
Todd Monken’s unit seemed surprised by the Steelers defense and couldn’t come up with the right adjustments until their last drive. Monken also should have recognized that Lamar Jackson wasn’t firing on all cylinders and dial up some easier throws to help his quarterback in a rhythm. Worst of all, he blew the two-point conversion attempt with a predictable play call and two of his best short-yardage playmakers on the sidelines.
Quarterback: C-
Sunday wasn’t just one of Jackson’s worst games of the season; it was one of the worst games of his career. Gone was the field general in full command and the line of scrimmage, replaced by an antsy, inaccurate passer who couldn’t make any of his usual magic on extended plays in the second. Jackson’s interception wasn’t his fault, nor were his teammate’s fumbles, but he missed too many opportunities throughout the game.
Running backs: B-
Derrick Henry was productive despite several long runs getting called back for penalties, and he can be forgiven for an ultra-rare fumble on an excellent punch-out by Nate Herbig. It’s not his fault he wasn’t on the field for the two-point conversion, either, especially after consistently battering the Steelers at the line of scrimmage. Justice Hill is probably still wondering how he didn’t come down with the ball on Jackson’s interception, but he otherwise put together a solid performance.
Wide receivers: B-
Zay Flowers made up for his fourth-quarter drop with a touchdown later on the drive, but like Henry, he looked on as the Ravens put the entire two-point conversion on Jackson’s shoulders. Overall, Baltimore’s wideouts gave Jackson enough opportunities, but his inaccuracy and their inability to reel in tough catches kept a firm lid on the passing game. This unit badly needs a third player to step up consistently, but Tylan Wallace, Diontae Johnson, and Nelson Agholor caught just one of their four targets.
Tight Ends: C+
Isaiah Likely led the Ravens in receiving yards, largely due to a 42-yard catch in the first quarter, but he couldn’t hold onto a screen before halftime on a fumble that gave Pittsburgh a crucial three points. Mark Andrews was quiet for the first time in weeks and couldn’t serve as a reliable outlet to help get his quarterback going. Patrick Ricard had a rare reception but struggled in pass protection, and the unit as a whole didn’t make an impact in the run game.
Offensive Line: B-
Tyler Linderbaum had one of his worst outings of the year against Cameron Heyward, but the rest of the offensive line held up well in pass protection. They opened plenty of holes in the run game, too, but committed several penalties that cancelled out positive plays. This unit’s performance was reflective of the offense as a whole: better than the scoreboard suggests, but sloppy in their execution at crucial moments.
Coaching: A
Zach Orr made...
