General OL Play
The offensive line provided Huntley with ample time and space (ATS) on 14 of 34 plays resulting in a pass or sack (41%, excludes Koch’s pass), a surprisingly high percentage even with 24 of 34 rushes employing just 4 men. Unfortunately, Huntley did not use the time and space effectively and threw 2 INTs with ATS.
The Steelers did not manufacture any free runners that contributed to sacks, so all of the sack charges went to the offensive line.
Individual Scoring
The Ravens ran 70 scored snaps (excludes accepted penalties which result in no play, kneels, spikes, and special teams plays that result in a run or pass).
Villanueva: Alejandro had difficulty but not all vs. OLB Alex Highsmith. He surrendered 2 full sacks (Q1, 4:43, bulled then shed by DT Cameron Heyward to flush Huntley right; Q2, 3:29, bulled by DE Isaiahh Loudermilk to trip Huntley who then fell into Zeitler). He had 2 other pass rush events, (Q2, 0:19, bulled by OLB Highsmith to flush Huntley right, ½ QH charge; OT, 6:38, bulled by Highsmith, pressure). Alejandro missed 5 blocks, 4 of which were losses at the LoS. He did not make a block in level 2 but delivered 1 pancake. He connected on both of his pulls. His highlight was a seal on DT Heyward (Q1, 1:34) to lead Freeman’s 22-yard run left.
Scoring: 70 plays, 60 blocks, 5 missed, 1 penetration, 1 pressure, ½ QH, 2 sacks, 42.5 points (.61 per play). That’s a D with or without adjustment.
Cleveland: Ben had his best game as a professional. His only negative play was a pressure when bulled by DT Heyward (Q2, 1:38). He missed 5 blocks, 3 of which were losses at the LoS and another on which he was downfield illegally (unflagged) on a pass play. He made 1 block in L2 and delivered 2 pancakes those pancakes do not include consecutive plays where he shoved OLB Highsmith to the ground while helping Villanueva (beginning Q2, 0:23). He connected on all 6 pulls. He had 6 highlights, the most for a Ravens lineman this season which included key blocks on runs of 22, 27, and 21 yards. His performance was the most positive individual portent from the season finale.
Scoring: 70 plays, 64 blocks, 5 missed, 1 pressure, 62 points (.89 per play). That’s an A after adjustment.
Bozeman: Bradley had another fine game despite a costly botched snap. His only negative charge was a PD allowed by DE Chris Wormley shared with Zeitler (Q4, 2:48). He snapped the ball into his rear end and it then dribbled past Huntley for what should have been a loss of 5, but ended up a fumble recovered by the Steelers. He missed 4 blocks, 2 of which were losses at the LoS and one for which he was illegally downfield (Q4, 2:00). He made 3 blocks in level 2 but did not have a pancake, pull, or highlight.
Scoring: 70 plays, 65 blocks, 4 missed, 1/2 pressure, 64 points (.91 per play). That’s a B+. He did not get an adjustment due to the dribbled snap.
Zeitler: Kevin closed out a fine season with another fine game. His only pass-blocking event was a shared PD allowed to Wormley with Bozeman (Q4, 2:48). Mekari was charged with Kevin’s false start (Q1, 6:00). He missed 6 blocks, 3 of which were losses at the LoS. He made 6 blocks in level 2 to lead the team but did not have a pancake. He connected on 3 of 5 pulls. His 5 highlights were the second most by a Ravens lineman this season (see Cleveland) three of those were combination blocks including a well-maintained, level 2 block vs. S Terrell Edmunds (Q3, 3:44).
Scoring: 70 plays, 63 blocks, 6 missed, 1/2 pressure, 1 false start, 59 points (.84 per play). That’s an A- with adjustment.
Mekari: Patrick battled through injuries vs. OLB TJ Watt. He allowed 1 full QH when beaten outside by OLB Watt (Q2, 5:46). He also gave up 2 penetrations to Watt (Q1, 10:05, beaten outside; Q1, 1:02, shed). He also surrendered a pressure (Q4, 0:25, beaten outside by Watt). He missed 8 blocks all of which were losses at the LoS. He did not make a block in level 2, pull, or highlight. He delivered 1 pancake.
Scoring: 60 plays, 48 blocks, 8 missed, 2 penetrations, 1 pressure, 1 QH, 39 points (.65 per play). That’s a C with adjustment.
Sharpe: David was thoroughly outclassed by Watt. He was beaten outside by Watt for his record-tying sack (Q2, 0:28). He surrendered a ½ sack to Watt when he failed to even get a hand on the Steelers OLB (Q2, 0:19). He surrendered a full pressure when beaten outside by Watt on the Ravens final play from scrimmage (OT, 6:35). He missed 2 blocks both of which were losses at the LoS. He did not have a level 2 block, pancake, pull or highlight.
Scoring: 10 plays, 5 blocks, 2 missed, 1 pressure, ½ QH, 1 sack, -4.5 points (-0.45 per play). He does not get a grade, since I use a 20-snap minimum, but had he been perfect in 10 more blocks, his raw score would have improved to only 0.28.
Colon: Trystan made his only block as a 6th OL.
If you’re interested in seeing scoring trends for the players this season, those charts will be posted in the Gallery section and updated weekly.
