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Baltimore Ravens: Everything we learned in loss to Steelers

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Running Back James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor #48 of the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 04: Running Back James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor #48 of the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 04: Running Back James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor #48 of the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 04: Running Back James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor #48 of the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

1. The defense isn’t great:

The Baltimore Ravens have put sports writers like me in a difficult spot. You see our number one job is to give you insight, but that insight is based on results. The Ravens came into the game with the Steelers with the number one defense (despite getting toasted by Cam Newton and the Panthers). Just looking at season totals, this defense is elite. The eye test is telling a different story. In back to back weeks the defense got pushed around like it was nothing. In back to back weeks the defense got dominated.

It’s a drop off that makes no sense. The Ravens were playing great defense, but now they look like a helpless bunch. The Steelers could have done more damage than they did. That 23-16 loss was a lot closer than the game felt. The game felt like the Steelers dominated the purple and black at every turn. Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense stayed on the field and did whatever they pleased. Baltimore couldn’t cover a wide receiver or a tight end, and stopping the run wasn’t happening either.

The Panthers game was no fluke. It was Newton and company exposing the truth about the Ravens defense. A great defense doesn’t get spanked two weeks in a row. There was no pass rush to speak of. James Connor had a stat stuffing game on the ground. In every measurable way, the defense has been the exact opposite of great. Don Martindale’s defense is capable of great things, but let’s be honest, they’re capable of horrible performances too.

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