Take-home points from Ravens win over Pittsburgh

The Baltimore Ravens are 14-2 and the regular season is over:

The Baltimore Ravens wrapped up the best regular season in their short but storied history with a 28-10 win over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Playing with many of their top players inactive to avoid injuries before starting their playoff run, the Ravens came out on top of an undermanned Steelers squad.

It was not as flashy as some of their wins this season, but it was fairly efficient, and they out gained Pittsburgh 304-168 in a rain-soaked finale that had the feel of a preseason game at times. Let’s take a quick look back:

• Gus Edwards is an improved runner this year, even after a surprisingly impressive debut last season. The rugged back has added some wiggle to his game, and he really attacks the second level when he bursts through the line. The Ravens are a better team if a healthy Mark Ingram is available for the playoffs, but Edwards would not be a weakness by any means.

• Justice Hill has looked like a more confident, explosive back the past few games. He could play a big role in the playoffs.

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• Robert Griffin III has some limitations as a passer, but he manages the game well and can pick up a few key third downs with his legs if pressed into service. The Ravens can win a game with Griffin against an inferior offense if they get a lead. But I wouldn’t feel good going against Kansas City right now with him at the helm. Lamar Jackson’s health is such a key component to this team.

• This offensive line, and coach Joe D’Allessandris, have been absolutely awesome all season long, and they shined again against Pittsburgh. The Ravens ran for 223 against an excellent Steelers defense, despite barely having a pass game to supplement it. Bravo.

• The Steelers offense, featuring Devlin Hodges at quarterback, is just not competitive. Hodges was 9-25 for 95 yards. The Ravens have a terrific defensive backfield, but, come on. It was very hard for Pittsburgh to compete against the Ravens like that, even with a depleted Baltimore roster.

• Diontae Johnson looks like the real deal for Pittsburgh. They have weapons. They have a line. They need to address the quarterback position next year, if Ben Roethlisberger returns or not. Mason Rudolph showed very few flashes of his own, and this team just can’t be expected to do anything if it is not fixed going forward.

• I liked the fake punt. Get it on tape before the playoffs start. Make other teams prepare for everything under the sun.

• Matt Judon, and I say this every week, is a potential game-changer at all times, and is really the only Raven in the front seven who can do that with any regularity. He’s not Von Miller. Or J.J. Watt. But he’s damn good, and he’s homegrown. I hope he stays.

• I’m still just not feeling it with De’Anthony returning kicks yet. He had a nice 31-yard kick returner to start the game, and I was feeling hopeful. But two yards on two punt returns, and one of them went for six, well something’s not right. I love his talent, and have since his Oregon days, but it’s just not meshing yet on the return team.

• Justin Tucker: The best there’s ever been. And he knows it.