Takeaways: Steelers 8-2 after ugly win over Ravens
Steel City Underground offers post-game takeaways for every 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL regular season game, focusing on the black and gold, just for members of Steelers Nation.
On Sunday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers narrowly defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 18-16, at Acrisure Stadium to move to 8-2 on the season and take full control of the AFC North. There was little doubt that the division rivalry game would be a close, physical one, but fans know these two teams are unpredictable when they face each other. We present our top takeaways from the Week 11 battle.
Steelers offense was shaky
In our keys to a victory, before the game, we stated that the offense would need to get off to a quicker start and test the Ravens’ defensive backfield. The offense got off to a shaky start and, despite several positive plays, had trouble converting key downs and never did get into the end zone. Their third-down conversion efficiency was 4-16 with a 0-1 fourth down efficiency. Their red zone efficiency was 0-4.
Typically, those numbers indicate a disastrous performance and equate into a loss in the NFL. This week, though, the Ravens didn’t do much better offensively in what quickly turned into a battle of defenses.
Russell Wilson had his first subpar performance as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, taking four big sacks and nullifying potential points on the scoreboard when he threw an interception in the end zone on a pass meant for tight end Darnell Washington who didn’t make an attempt on the ball. Still, the veteran remained calm under near-constant pressure to complete 23-of-36 passes for 205 yards. He just couldn’t lead the offense into the end zone.
Wilson did test the Ravens defensive backfield, but they looked better than they have in weeks. Nearly every catch was contested, including eight that George Pickens reeled in. That led Wilson to adjusting to more quick-passes and shorter attempts in the second half to keep the offense balanced and moving downfield.
The wizard was perfect
The Steelers need to thank their lucky stars that Chris Boswell is on their roster. While Ravens kicker Justin Tucker missed 2-of-3 field goals, Pittsburgh’s wizard was a perfect 6-of-6, putting the only points on the scoreboard for Pittsburgh.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1858299581223653446?
It’s not the first time in Steelers history that Boswell has been the goat, but counting on him to be the sole scorer isn’t tenable if Pittsburgh wants to remain a contender in the NFL this season.
Defense came through
The Steelers were certainly challenged on defense by Lamar Jackson and company. Early, though, Nick Herbig – starting in place of injured outside linebacker Alex Highsmith – was able to strip the ball from bruising rusher Derrick Henry that the Steelers recovered. Whether that play had an effect on Henry or not, Pittsburgh limited him to just 65 yards on 13 carries. Henry did punch in a goalline run for a touchdown.
T.J. Watt and Dean Lowry did earn a sack apiece, but the pressure on Jackson was more of a contain situation, keeping the quarterback from gouging them with designed plays utilizing his legs.
The Steelers only allowed the Ravens offense a 4-11 third down conversion rate and didn’t stall in keeping the Ravens from converting fourth downs, forcing four Jordan Stout punts in the game and the lone touchdown.
When Baltimore wasn’t shooting themselves in the foot with penalties, they were working to spread the offense to keep themselves in the game after a costly two fumbles (both recovered by Pittsburgh) and a freak contested catch that ended with a Payton Wilson interception.
Jackson was hit six times, disrupting his rhythm, and had three passes batted down – two by Cameron Heyward – before they could reach a targeted receiver. Jackson finished the game with 16-of-33 passes completed.
At 8-2, the Steelers have a hold on the top spot of the AFC North and will travel in Week 12 to face another division rival in the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland lost their Week 11 game to the New Orleans Saints to fall to 2-8 on the season.
