Small Ball in the Slop

The Ravens lost a game where they allowed just 2 pass plays longer than 8 yards among 18 completions by Rudolph.

Similarly, while it appeared the Ravens were unable to stop the run, the Steelers averaged just 4.0 YPC which is below both the Ravens season average 4.48 YPC allowed and the NFL median of 4.15 YPC.  Nonetheless, with sloppy conditions, that was enough to keep the Steelers in contention for a playoff spot.

I considered trying to examine common threads that made the Steelers offense successful, but each of the teams that rested starters this weekend underperformed in some manner.  Let’s review:

  • KC beat LAC 13-12
  • SF lost to LAR 21-20
  • Cle lost to Cin 31-14
  • Bal lost to Pit 17-10

Regardless of the scoreboard result, it will have been a monumental win for the Ravens to avoid injuries under Saturday’s game conditions.  We’ll see in approximately 10 days whether or not the Ravens accomplished their mission and will enter the divisional round in better health than their opponent.

Pass Rush

Macdonald used 5or more pass rushers on just 3 of 23 plays (13%) resulting in a pass or sack and almost entirely shut down elements of deception.

For the game, Rudolph had ATS on 6 of 23 drop backs (26%).  On those 6 plays, they averaged 16.2 YPP with 1 TO.  He also delivered the ball before pressure could develop (BOQ) 7 times (30%, 4.4 YPP).  The Ravens generated a pressure event on 10 plays (43%) on which the Steelers gained 1 net yard (0.1 YPP), which included 3 sacks and 1 TO. 

Summarizing by number of pass rushers:

3 or fewer: None

4: 20 plays, 114 yards, 5.7 YPP, 3 sacks, 2 TOs

5: 2 plays, 12 yards, 6.0 YPP

6+: 1 play, 3 yards

Total:  23 plays, 129 yards, 5.6 YPP, 3 sacks, 2 TOs

Macdonald dialed up 3 individual blitzes (.13 per pass play) from off the LoS, all singles.  On those 3 plays, the Steelers gained 5 net yards (1.7 YPP) with 1 sack.

The Ravens stunted 6 times among 4 plays (.26 per pass play), 2 singles and 2 doubles.  Those plays resulted in 77 yards (19.3 YPP). 

The Ravens used simulated pressure twice resulting in 9 yards, in each case dropping 2 from the line of scrimmage.

I define a deceptive pass rush as incorporating 2 or more of the above elements (off ball blitzes, stunts, and simulated pressures).  The Ravens schemed 2 such plays on which Steelers gained 6 yards.

In words, the Steelers generated just 1 big play in the sloppy conditions and while the Ravens generally had good pressure, Rudolph avoided interceptions and had solid results in aggregate relative to his opportunity set.

Clowney led the team with contributions to 4 pressure events, including 2.5 pressures and 1 sack for -9 (also a FF which the Steelrs recovered).  Van Noy had 1.5 pressures and a sack/forced fumble recovered by Broderick Washington.   

Star Treatment

Arthur Maulet

  • (Q2, 11:58):  He tracked down RB Warren PM5 (-3 + 8) [2] as Rudolph threw under pressure
  • (Q2, 11:15):  He made initial contact on RB Warren PR1 (-3 + 4) [4], Phillips punched the ball loose as second man to ball, and Maulet recovered
  • (Q2, 0:31):  On 2nd/19, he made an immediate tackle of TE Freiermuth on PM8 (7 + 1) [3]
  • (Q3, 9:25):  He wrapped up RB Warren RR0 which allowed Moon to stand up and dislodge ball with his shoulder, recovered by Steelers

Arthur twice lost primary tackle credit when the second man to the ball forced a fumble.  He enters the postseason in firm possession of the nickel role when the Ravens decide they want a CB and not Hamilton there.  Does anyone else find it a little surprising we did not see Pepe Williams take some snaps at SCB in his stead?

Jadeveon Clowney

  • (Q1, 12:55):  He backed up LT Moore to hold left edge as Phillips and Jones cleaned up RB Warren RL0
  • (Q1, 11:49):  On 3rd/4, he bulled LT Moore into cone as Van Noy beat RT Jones inside for pressure and Rudolph threw incomplete, nearly intercepted by Williams to force punt
  • (Q2, 1:10):  He shed RT Jones then beat RG Daniels outside for fast pressure as Rudolph unloaded to Warren PR3 (1 + 2) [4]
  • (Q2, 0:43):  He beat RT Jones outside for S-9 as the ball flew loose but was recovered by LT Moore
  • (Q2, 0:12):  On 3rd/12, he bulled RT Jones for pressure as Van Noy finished SF-8
  • (Q3, 11:48):  He bulled then shed TE Washington to tackle RB Harris RR-2 with assist Ya-Sin
  • (Q3, 6:12):  On 3rd/20, he crossed the formation to touch down Warren PL1 (-5 + 6) [2] who tripped over his blocker

Jadeveon had contributions to 4 pressures and 3 drive-ending plays.  He and Van Noy were both enjoying being out there despite the miserable conditions.  No one deserves his sack incentive more than he did this season.

Trenton Simpson

  • (Q3, 8:18):  He was blocked by RT Jones in L2 as part of RB Harris RM11
  • (Q3, 6:53):  He blitzed unblocked through right B-gap for fast S-6
  • (Q3, 9:25):  He had MT at zero on what became RB Warren RR0
  • (Q4, 8:23):  He took down RB Harris for PR0 (0 + 0) [4] with big hit followed up by leg wrap
  • (Q4, 6:32):  He was blocked by LT Moore in L2 as part of Harris RM8
  • (Q4, 3:22):  On 3rd/Goal, he was not fooled by RB Warren jet-sweep left, penetrated past unbalanced Jones at outside LT, and tackled RL-5 to force field goal

Trenton had some difficulty shedding blocks, but was effective in space.  He has similarities to Queen that may make him a full-time WLB player in 2024.  Regardless of his exact role, it was good to see him get some appreciable live fire on defense.

Tavius Robinson

  • (Q1, 8:10):  He was blocked by TE Heyward as part of Warren RL23
  • (Q1, 6:49):  He was not fooled by boot right, chased Rudolph who threw PR2 to TE Heyward
  • (Q1, 0:57):  He was not fooled by play action boot right, jammed Heyward 2 yards backwards, and chased Rudolph for pressure as he threw PR2 to Heyward
  • (Q2, 12:35):  He assisted Phillips on Harris RM2
  • (Q3, 13:13):  He was blocked by pulling Heyward as part of Harris RM15
  • (Q3, 8:18):  He was kicked out by the pulling Heyward to lead Harris RM11
  • (Q4, 6:32):  On 2nd/1, he was blocked by the pulling Heyward as part of Harris RM8

Tavius was part of the problem in terms of the Ravens inability to stop the run.  Connor Heyward was his kryptonite all game, which is something the coaching might have been expected to fix with similar run concepts on 4 of the 7 longest Steelers runs.  Robinson accumulated significant playing time as a rookie and established a solid base.  I think we have a much better idea of what the minimum he may provide to the team over the next 2 years as compared to David Ojabo, for example.

I do not award defensive MVPs after a loss.