Well-Schemed Runs Steamroll Steelers
Down to 3rd QB Anthony Brown, the Ravens put together an 8-minute FG drive that extended their lead to 9 and consumed most of the 4th quarter. Then, after a Steelers touchdown, Gus Edwards sealed the game with a 6-yard run on 3rd and 3 that everyone knew was coming.
The Ravens QBs were afforded ample time and space (ATS) on 5 of 19 (26%) drop backs resulting in a pass/sack. With ATS, they combined for 4 of 5 for 53 yards (10.6 YPP).
The Ravens delivered the ball before pressure could develop (BOQ) 5 times (26%) with 3 complete for 22 yards (4.4 YPP). They were pressured 9 times (47%), on which 3 of 7 passes were completed for 19 net yards (2.7 YPP, 2 sacks).
By number of pass rushers:
3: none
4: 11 plays, 57 net yards, 5.2 YPP, 1 sack
5: 5 plays, 24 net yards, 4.8 YPP, 1 sack
6+: 3 play, 13 yards, 4.3 YPP
This was a game where the defense made some big plays, but the offense deserves at least as much credit for their ability to drive and play keep away in the 4th quarter.
OL Scoring
The Ravens ran 57 scored snaps (excludes accepted penalties which result in no play, kneels, spikes, and special teams plays that result in a run or pass).
Stanley: Ronnie returned and struggled against OLB Highsmith. He was party to 4 pass rush events (gave ground while trying to pick up blitzing S Fitzpatrick and maintain block on OLB Jones, PD – pass hit helmet, full pressure, Q1, 4:58; bulled by OLB Highsmith, half pressure, Q2, 4:07; whiffed on DT Heyward, full pressure, Q3, 3:03; bulled by OLB Highsmith, 1/3 sack, Q3, 1:08). He also surrendered a full penetration when shed by Highsmith to blow up Edwards RM-1 (Q4, 5:36). He was spared another pressure by Huntley’s RR11 (Q2, 12:58). Of his 9 missed blocks, 6 were losses at the LoS. He pulled successfully on 7 of 9 assignments without collecting a courtesy point. He had a block in level 2, a pancake, and 2 highlights. The more valuable highlight included backside blocks on DT Heyward then Highsmith on Edwards game-sealing RR6 (Q4, 2:14).
Scoring: 57 plays, 43 blocks, 9 missed, 1 penetration, 2.5 pressures, 1/3 sack, 34 points (.60 per play). That’s a D after adjustment.
Powers: Ben had one of his best career games. For the second consecutive week he did not have a negative score as a pass or run blocker. He had 3 missed blocks, only 1 of which was a loss at the LoS. He connected on all 10 of his pulls. He had 3 blocks in level 2 and 2 pancakes. His highlight was a combination to drive DT Heyward then block S Edmunds in L2 (Q1, 9:49).
Scoring: 57 plays, 54 blocks, 3 missed, 54 points (.95 per play). That’s an A with or without adjustment.
Linderbaum: Despite some terrific run blocking, Tyler struggled in pass protection. He was party to 4 pass rush events (bulled into Huntley by the stunting OLB Watt, full pressure, Q1, 4:54; botched the stunt handoff with Cleveland, 1/3 sack, Q2, 13:42; beaten right by DT Heyward, full pressure, Q2, 2:00; bulled by DT Heyward, QH, Q3, 1:13). Of his 5 missed blocks all were losses at the LoS. He connected on both of his pulls, had 3 blocks in level 2, but no pancakes. His highlight was a combination block on Heyward then ILB Bush in L2 to clear both sides of the hole on Dobbins’ RM44 (Q1, 3:16).
Scoring: 57 plays, 48 blocks, 5 missed, 2 pressures, 1 QH, 1/3 sack, 39 points (.68 per play). That’s a D after a maximum adjustment for an outstanding run-blocking game and having Cameron Heyward as a frequent opponent. His .78 (adjusted) was .02 short of a C-.
Colon: Trystan had his finest career game. He did not have any negative events. Of his 4 missed blocks 3 were losses at the LoS. He connected on 3 of his 4 pulls and made 6 blocks in level 2. He delivered two pancakes. His highlight was a combination on NT Adams then ILB Bush in L2 (Q2, 2:29).
Scoring: 43 plays, 39 blocks, 4 missed, 39 points (.91 per play). That’s an A with or without adjustment.
Cleveland: Ben filled in at LG for 14 snaps in rotation with Colon. He was party to both sacks (botched stunt handoff with Linderbaum, 1/3, Q2, 13:42; beaten inside by stunting OLB Watt, 1/3, Q3, 1:08). Of his 4 missed blocks, 2 were losses at the LoS. He was not asked to pull. He made 2 blocks in level 2 and delivered 2 pancakes. Despite minimal playing time, he had 2 highlights. The first of which was a bull and powerful kickout on Heyward (off an initial double team from Linderbaum) to help lead Dobbins RM44 (Q1, 3:16).
Scoring: 14 plays, 8 blocks, 4 missed, 2/3 (2 x 1/3) sack, 4 points (.29 per play). He doesn’t get a grade with less than 20 plays.
Despite a poor score, Cleveland demonstrated significant power on his run blocks that fits well with the finesse of Linderbaum. While he was in the game, the Ravens 7 runs went for 44, 4 (TD), 9, 16, 11, 4, 1 (12.7 YPC).
Moses: Morgan had a solid game controlling OLB Watt. He was party to 3 partial pass-rush events. Bulled by OLB Watt, half, Q2, 4:07; beaten inside by Watt, half, Q2, 1:13; beaten inside by ILB Spillane, 1/3 sack, Q3, 1:08. Of his 8 missed blocks 6 were losses at the LoS. He had 7 blocks in level 2. He connected on 3 of 4 pulls (no courtesies) and delivered a pancake. His highlights were a pair of combination blocks (Q1, 7:41 and Q1, 2:36).
Scoring: 57 plays, 46 blocks, 8 missed, 1 (2 x ½) pressure, 1/3 sack, 42 points (.74 per play). That’s a C with or without adjustment.
