The Ravens had every chance to win this game, but handed it back over the Steelers late with a poor game plan on offense.
- I would’ve kicked – 4th and 2 and I would’ve kicked the field goal. It’s easy to say after the fact, but Billy Cundiff has been good enough to make the kick. Either way Le’Ron McClain would have been hugely helpful in that role.
- Offense falls asleep – The Ravens got comfortable with a 4 point lead and over eight minutes to play. The Ravens were strong in the first half and aggressive with their weapons. In the second half they folded and handed it over the the Steelers.
- Clock management was bad – The Ravens used two of the timeouts before the two minute warning, which is a problem when your offense falls asleep for two queaters. One was used when the clock was running down and the other on defense.
- Solid defensive effort – The Ravens put a ton of pressure on Ben Roethlisberger and the depleted Steelers offensive line. Jarrett Johnson crushed Jonathan Scott all night and Terrell Suggs was constantly in the back field, he recorded a sack on Big Ben and was crucial in holding Pittsburgh on the goal line in the fourth quarter by stuffing Rashard Mendenhall. Josh Wilson came up with a pick in the secondary, who didn’t look half bad themselves. They had one bad series, but it came after Troy Polamalu forced a fumble deep in Ravens territory.
- Oher with a rough game – Michael Oher entered the game with an injured ankle and he tried to compensate for it against James Harrison by jumping twice in the first half and holding. Overall, he looked alright, but you could tell he was still hurting during this one.
- Pair of injuries – Todd Heap left the field during the first drive of the game with a hamstring injury. He came up lame running his route down field and did not return. Derrick Mason was hurt early as well, but he did return and helped the Ravens pick apart the Steelers secondary. Funny how Roethlisberger’s foot looked “fine.” Al Michaels words not mine.
- Special teams play – Billy Cundiff is an absolute stud. Sure the wind was blowing, but I think he kicked the ball out of M&T Bank Stadium on a kickoff in the third quarter. Lardarius Webb had a solid 53 yard punt return, but followed it up with a muff on his next attempt.
One thing I want to add is that I hate how the announcers refer to Roethlisberger as just “Ben” as though they’re old drinking buddies or something.
No, Troy Polamolu and the Steelers TOOK it away! Amazing how the refs didn't flag the Ratbirds for all of the illegal hits?? Big Ben broken nose, Heath Miller defenseless knockout and Suggs smacking Ben in the head while trying to bring him down!! JOKE. I must say that this ranks as one of the most satisfying wins I have ever had as a 40 year Steeler fan!
Good comments, Kenny…if all those so-called fans of the game did not think there was a conspiracy before, surely last night's game convinced them. I hope the Rooneys are on the phone to Rotten Roger this morning.
By the way, Zach, the announcers often refer to QBs by the first name (Peyton?)
Peyton has a brother in the league. No other announcers say Joe or Donovan or Phillip.
The clock management was fine. We wouldn't be talking about this had Flacco freaking read the blitz and not fumble the ball.
Wasting two timeouts was fine?
The Ravens remind me of schoolyard bullies. The problem is sooner or later that bully picks on the wrong kid and gets an ass beating.
Ravens shoulda won but didn't. Moron that he is, Roethlisberger, and of course Polamalu, made plays to win the game, and the Stillers' D stiffened in the second half. I think the Ravens mistake is to try to play Rock 'Em Sock' Em Robots with the Stillers. They can win that way, but the margin of error is too small, a bad play here or there can lose you the game, and though they have some weaknesses, the Stillers have more big-play makers, especially on D, than the Ravens do. Neither team could run the ball, Ravens should have opened up the playbook more, they made the Stillers secondary look pretty bad most of the night.
Congrats Steelers and their fans… You won the game on the field and in coaching. Again, the Ravens cannot beat a winning team when they need to. Ravens outcoached as the Steelers coaches coached for the whole game while Harbaugh and his goons stopped coaching at the half.
And how many times is "Out of his league" Mattison going to keep rushing 3 linemen? He gets ripped everytime doing this. Ravens have it hard enough rushing 4 guys and Mattison always goes to 3 guys when the Ravens have a lead.
The Division on the line as well as a Wild Card, Ravens at home against a Steelers O-Line that is weak, their QB has a broken foot, Bryant McFadden is getting torched and yet Harbaugh plays conservative ball clinging to a 4 point lead. Priceless…
Mason blasted the offense today bigtime and I agree with him.
Thanks Ravens2488. Good hard hitting game. Another game that came down to the wire. Probably will meet again in the postseason.
BM1958 and Canadian Steelers Fan…Props to you and the Steelers. They came into a tough spot and got the win. Looks like another year of being pretty good for the Ravens, but not good enough, but the Steelers came in and got the job done. Congrats!