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Ebony Bird

Three concerns for Baltimore Ravens in match-up with Pittsburgh Steelers

By Darin McCann

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Benny Snell #24 celebrates with Stephon Tuitt #91 and T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers after making a sack during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on September 30, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Benny Snell #24 celebrates with Stephon Tuitt #91 and T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers after making a sack during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on September 30, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Javon Hargrave #79 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with T.J. Watt #90 and Stephon Tuitt #91 after sacking Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals (not pictured) in the third quarter on September 30, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Javon Hargrave #79 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with T.J. Watt #90 and Stephon Tuitt #91 after sacking Andy Dalton #14 of the Cincinnati Bengals (not pictured) in the third quarter on September 30, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Steelers pass rush:

This is another reason the Ravens can not afford to fall behind early against this Steelers team. Stephon Tuitt, T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and even Bud Dupree have been hitting and sacking quarterbacks on the regular this season. The Steelers are tied for fourth in the NFL with 14 sacks, and this has not been a team that has been ahead in many games and able to pin their ears back and hunt the passer.

They are dangerous.

light. Must Read. 3 problems facing Ravens defense and 3 possible solutions

The Ravens have an explosive offense this season, but it works best when both the run and pass game are working in combination with one another. Falling behind takes away some of that balance and exposes the quarterback to more pass-rush looks, as well as exotic zones behind those rushes. Lamar Jackson has been a true star this season, but he is young, and has not seen every look he is going to yet.

Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr. look like a terrific set of bookend tackles for now and the future for the Ravens, and Marshal Yanda is Marshal Yanda. Even Bradley Bozeman and Matt Skura have played fairly well this season. But falling behind opens up all kinds of problems, and sending out tight ends into pass routes when you need to pick up yards in a hurry leaves that line without reinforcements.

The Steelers pass rush is frightening. The Ravens can not afford to fall behind early and let them eat.

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