Ravens @ Steelers
Final Score: Steelers 18, Ravens 16
Writer: Riley Blum
Like many games in this Ravens-Steelers rivalry, this was a chippy, hard-fought defensive struggle. The deciding factors were the turnovers (three by the Ravens to one by the Steelers) and two missed field goals by Justin Tucker. On the flip side, Chris Boswell was a perfect 6/6 on his field goal attempts, including a long of 57 yards.
All of the Ravens’ turnovers led to Steelers’ field goals, and Lamar Jackson threw an interception of his own after Russell Wilson threw a pick in the end zone. Adding to the Ravens’ turnover woes were their 12 penalties, many of which were big blows to their tempo on offense. As ugly as they played, the Ravens had a chance to tie the game with just over a minute remaining, but they were not able to convert the two-point conversion on a poorly designed play. The Steelers went on to pick up a first down and subsequently run out the remaining time.
These two teams will meet again in Baltimore on December 21st, and while I expect it to be another tight game, I think we will see a different end result.
Two Up
- George Pickens – Pickens easily led the team with 12 targets, and he saw a couple of end zone targets despite not scoring a touchdown in this one. In addition to his downfield, contested catch targets, he saw more lay-up looks with some quick throws and slants. If he continues to see the deep shots as well as having easier-designed targets underneath, his ceiling and floor will definitely be raised.
- Chris Boswell – Boswell scored every Steeler point, going a perfect 6/6 on his field goals and matching his longest kick on the season.
Three Down
- Mark Andrews – After a season-high route participation last week, Andrews was utilized similarly to how he has been throughout the season with Isaiah Likely back in the lineup.
- Pat Freiermuth -Freiermuth has yet to see more than three targets in games Russell Wilson has started, and he was outproduced by Darnell Washington today.
- Justin Tucker – Tucker’s struggles from distance this season reared their head once again today. He missed field goal attempts of 50 yards and 47 yards. The Ravens often lose in games when Tucker misses kicks.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson: 16/33, 207 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 4 carries, 46 yards
Lamar posted his worst game of the season as he struggled against T.J. Watt and the Steelers’ pass rush. He completed less than 50% of his passes and threw just his third interception of the season (though I thought the interception call was a bit questionable; Justice Hill had the ball wrestled away by the defender as he was going to the ground). Even in a bad game, Lamar at least didn’t give fantasy managers a total dud and managed 46 yards on the ground. He has historically had a tough time when facing the Steelers, so I’d expect him to bounce back next week and continue his MVP-caliber play.
As poorly as the Ravens played, they did have a chance to tie it with about a minute remaining in the game. Lamar hit Zay Flowers for the touchdown to make the score 16-18, but they could not convert the two-point conversion on what I would say was a bad play design; they had Lamar roll out to his left with no receivers in the area for him to have the option to pass or run.
Missed Opportunities
- Lamar had a few completions nullified by ineligible downfield penalties.
Running Back
Derrick Henry: 13 carries, 65 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble lost
Henry only had 13 carries in this game as the Ravens trailed for much of the game and went more pass-heavy. He did break a big 31-yard run, and he kept his touchdown streak alive with a 1-yard touchdown in the first half. Henry is one of the few workhorse backs that is susceptible to the game script, but I don’t expect the Ravens to be playing from behind in most of their games. Henry also lost a rare fumble on the game’s opening drive; it was his first fumble lost on the season. I’d expect Henry to run angry and bounce back next week.
Missed Opportunities
- Henry was a shoestring tackle away from taking his 31-yard run to the house. He did score a 1-yard touchdown to end that drive, though.
- Henry had a 15-yard catch-and-run nullified by an ineligible downfield penalty.
Justice Hill: 2 carries, 13 yards | 7 targets, 4 receptions, 28 yards
Hill played quite a bit in this game, with the Ravens trailing and opting to lean on the passing game. He led the team with seven targets. He will continue to be the Ravens’ primary receiving and third down back, but his weekly usage will be hard to predict as it is game-script dependent.
Notes
- Lamar Jackson’s interception was partially on Hill, allowing the ball to be wrestled away from the defender as he went to the ground.
Patrick Ricard: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Zay Flowers: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD
Flowers salvaged his day from a fantasy perspective with a late 16-yard touchdown but was otherwise quiet in this game.
Missed Opportunities
- Flowers dropped a second down pass that would have picked up a crucial first down for the Ravens on their final drive. He did redeem himself by capping the drive with a touchdown catch, though.
Rashod Bateman: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 30 yards
Like most of the Ravens’ pass catchers, this was a quiet game for Bateman, though he continues to show chemistry with Lamar Jackson and has the trust of his quarterback.
Mark Andrews: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 22 yards
Andrews showed once again his volume can be volatile when Isaiah Likely is also active for the Ravens. He was outproduced by Likely in every receiving category in this game.
Missed Opportunities
- Andrews was shoestring tackled on what would have been a huge gain if he was able to break away from the defender.
Isaiah Likely: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 75 yards, 1 fumble lost
After missing last week’s game, Likely played well outside of a costly fumble that allowed the Steelers to retake the lead going into halftime. He led the Ravens in receiving yards, had two more targets than fellow TE Mark Andrews, and had the Ravens longest play of the day on a 42-yard catch-and-run.
Tylan Wallace: 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards
Nelson Agholor: 1 target
Agholor had a big 34-yard catch on the Ravens’ final drive nullified by an ineligible downfield penalty.
Diontae Johnson: 2 targets
Johnson dropped a deep pass that could have been a potential touchdown or, at the very least, would have set the Ravens up with a first-and-goal. He should have also left more cushion between him and the sideline on the route.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Russell Wilson: 23/36, 205 yards, 1 INT | 4 carries, 1 yard
Wilson did not play particularly well, either, but he did just enough not to lose the game. He did throw an interception in the end zone that could have been very costly, but luckily for him, the Ravens turned the ball over on their ensuing drive. Wilson looked for George Pickens often in this one, connecting on one “moon ball” but not able to connect on throws into the end zone. He also had 10 of his targets go to running backs in this game, as he was often under pressure and had to get the ball out quickly.
Many thought this would be a good spot for Russ with the Ravens struggling against the pass, but they had a strong pass rush and were trying to take away the deep shots and keep everything underneath. Anyone who streamed Russ was definitely disappointed by the final stat line.
Justin Fields: 2 carries, 17 yards
Fields got a couple of carries, including one on the final drive to ice the game. Fields made a mistake by sliding too early and bringing up a third down, but the Steelers were able to convert and go on to run out the clock.
Running Back
Najee Harris: 18 carries, 63 yards | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 30 yards
Najee ran hard and managed a few nice runs but otherwise found it tough to do much against a stout Ravens run defense. Managers in PPR formats will be grateful for the work Najee received in the passing game. Najee is the preferred rusher for the team, as he out-carried Jaylen Warren 18 to nine.
Jaylen Warren: 9 carries, 41 yards | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 27 yards
Warren came into the game questionable, but looked like himself on his opportunities. I’d expect him to average 10-15 touches going forward, and he showed off some agility and burst this game.
Cordarelle Patterson: 1 carry | 1 target, 1 reception
Patterson did not see many opportunities in this one, but he could complicate the split in this backfield in some games now that he’s healthy.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
George Pickens: 12 targets, 8 receptions, 89 yards
Pickens easily led the team with 12 targets and continued to show his ability on deep balls with Russell Wilson under center. Pickens also saw more quick throws on slants and short routes, which is encouraging to see him getting some lay-up targets. He should remain a strong WR2 for fantasy purposes as long as Wilson is his quarterback.
Missed Opportunities
- Pickens could not haul in his end zone targets.
- Pickens missed out on another reception when he unnecessarily reached for the first down marker and only got one foot down in bounds.
Pat Freiermuth: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 14 yards
Another quiet game from the Muth with Russell Wilson under center. He should not be viewed as a weekly tight end starter.
Darnell Washington: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 42 yards
Washington is more known for his blocking, but he was the most productive Steelers’ tight end in this game and was second on the team in receiving yards. Both of his catches went for first downs.
Ben Skowronek: 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Van Jefferson: 1 target
Calvin Austin III: 2 targets, 1 reception, -1 yard