Here’s how the Ravens (3-2) graded out at every place after a 17-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) in Sunday’s Week 5 recreation at Acrisure Stadium:
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson accomplished 22 of 38 passes for 236 yards and rushed six instances for 45 yards. He performed properly by means of three quarters, however his receivers didn’t assist him by dropping 4 passes, all of them for doable touchdowns. But in crunchtime, Jackson had a go picked off in the long run zone with 4:10 remaining after the Ravens recovered a fumbled punt return deep in Pittsburgh territory after which received stripped on an tried go almost three minutes later. Jackson has to learn to win video games late within the fourth quarter to turn into a high QB on this league. Until then, he’s good, simply not ok. Grade: C+
Receivers
Who didn’t drop a go on this recreation? Rashod Bateman dropped a doable landing go, and so did Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor. Even tight finish Mark Andrews let one in the long run zone slip by means of his palms. The Ravens had 22 catches for 236 yards, together with receptions of 16, 29 and 30 yards, however they didn’t bail out Jackson and the offense. The staff spent some huge cash within the offseason so as to add Agholor, Flowers and even Odell Beckham Jr., however the funding didn’t pan out Sunday. Beckham can’t keep on the sphere persistently with out getting injured. Grade: D
Running backs
The working backs completed with 80 yards speeding on 19 carries, however they by no means appeared to get a rhythm. Gus Edwards had 48 yards on 12 carries and Justice Hill completed with 32 yards speeding on seven carries, together with a pleasant 14-yard landing run round left finish within the first quarter, however his fumble on a display go within the second quarter, which was recovered by the Steelers, ended a drive on the Pittsburgh 48. With the Ravens forward 10-0, that fumble was an enormous momentum killer. Grade: C
Offensive line
The Ravens held up properly in opposition to Pittsburgh for almost three quarters, particularly within the second quarter, when the Steelers despatched a variety of delayed blitzes. The Ravens did a pleasant job of serving to proper sort out Patrick Mekari block outdoors linebacker T.J. Watt, particularly chip-blocking with fullback Patrick Ricard within the first half. But pass-blocking just isn’t a energy of this staff, and it confirmed within the fourth quarter when the Ravens needed to battle from behind. The Ravens can run-block in addition to most groups within the NFL, particularly if they’re pounding the soccer, however pass-blocking is an space through which they battle. The Steelers completed with 4 sacks, two of these within the fourth quarter. Grade: C-
Defensive line
Pittsburgh had a one-dimensional offense, and the Steelers struggled even in that space, speeding for simply 87 yards on 30 carries. The Ravens’ entrance performed fairly properly for a lot of the recreation, particularly sort out Michael Pierce and finish Justin Madubuike. Pierce completed with two tackles and Madubuike had 5, together with a half a sack. But within the fourth quarter, the Ravens allowed a nine-play, 49-yard scoring drive that ended with a 25-yard area purpose by Chris Boswell after which the eight-play, 80-yard drive that resulted within the game-winning landing with 1:17 remaining. Grade: C+
Linebackers
Middle linebacker Roquan Smith had 11 tackles and knocked down a go. He was wonderful in go protection over the center and sat down on a number of Pittsburgh routes. Patrick Queen completed with seven tackles, however he missed a pair out within the open area within the flats, one thing he hadn’t performed all season. Outside linebacker Malik Harrison was robust in opposition to the run and completed with two tackles, and Jadeveon Clowney had stress a number of instances, regardless that he was credited with just one sort out. But a few instances the Ravens received hooked and gave up yardage off the sting. Like the line of defense, this group couldn’t provide you with an enormous play within the fourth quarter. Grade: B-
Secondary
As traditional, the Ravens performed off receivers and got here up aggressively to make tackles, however this was the kind of recreation through which they wanted to problem receivers on the line of scrimmage. The Ravens saved permitting Pittsburgh to transform on third down within the fourth quarter. The Steelers zoned in on cornerback Brandon Stephens, a wise transfer by Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey gave up the game-winning landing as receiver George Pickens blew by him for a 41-yard landing with 1:17 left within the recreation. That shouldn’t occur to the staff’s high cornerback underneath most circumstances, particularly in opposition to a staff like Pittsburgh, which lacks explosive receivers. Safety Kyle Hamilton completed with three tackles, together with two for losses, and fellow security Marcus Williams additionally had 5, however he shied away from a number of tackles over the center. Pickett accomplished 18 of 32 passes for 224 yards and completed with a passer ranking of 88.5 regardless of taking part in with a bruised knee. Grade: C
Special groups
The Ravens brought about and recovered a fumble on a punt return within the fourth quarter to arrange a doable game-winning landing, however they blew that one, too. They allowed a punt to be blocked into the again of the tip zone for a security within the fourth quarter, which ought to by no means occur; a staff can get beat on the surface however by no means must be up the A niche. That’s a significant no-no. Jordan Stout punted thrice contained in the 20-yard line, however a few of these had been simply quick kicks, not those he normally booms. The Ravens’ particular groups allowed one kickoff return of 24 yards and one other of 19. The particular groups haven’t been particular this season. Grade: D
Coaching
I might perceive coach John Harbaugh making an attempt to attract the Steelers offside late within the second quarter to get nearer and presumably try to attain a landing, however there have been solely 19 seconds left within the half. They ought to have tried a area purpose and gone into the half with a lead of 13-3, not 10-3. The Ravens attempt to be too cute. This staff wasn’t able to play, and this recreation regarded so much like its loss to the Indianapolis Colts two weeks in the past. The offensive and defensive items performed properly sufficient to win, however the playmakers didn’t make performs. Harbaugh shouldn’t use the time period “operational” anymore. The Ravens haven’t any clue what which means. Grade: D
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Source: www.bostonherald.com