John Harbaugh praises Michael Pierce's breakout game: "The consistent play paid off"

The Baltimore Ravens went on the road to play a football game last weekend and all they did was return home with a 31-24 victory in their bag after defeating the lowly Arizona Cardinals in their own territory.

One of the main reasons for that to happen was the stunning performance of defensive lineman Michael Pierce, who head coach John Harbaugh lost no time in praising when he was asked about his player on Monday's press conference.

As Bo Smolka told Harbaugh, many folks considered Sunday's the "Michael Pierce Game," and Harbaugh reacted positively to that comment.

"Well, game to game, [Michael Pierce] has played very consistently, so it’s kind of been like that. Then, this game, the consistent play paid off in these opportunities to make these huge plays. So, he’s been doing the same thing without having the chance the actually make those plays sometimes. Sometimes he gets pushed out to somebody else or cut back. Then, the sacks and the pressures … It’s how he’s been playing all year. He’s having a great year. He’s doing a great job, and it’s nice to see it kind of pay off in a huge game for him like that."

- John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens

"Game to game, [Michael Pierce] has played very consistently," Harbaugh said. "The consistent play paid off in these opportunities to make these huge plays. So, he's been doing the same thing without having the chance the actually make those plays sometimes."

Pierce initially signed a pro contract with Baltimore in 2016, appeared in 28 games for the Flock between 2018 and 2019, and then signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2020. Pierce would return to Baltimore in the 2022 offseason, and since then he's appeared in three games last year (because of injuries) and all eight this season as a weekly starter.

Last Sunday, Pierce had one of his best (if not his absolute best) games in the NFL, racking up a pass deflection to go with a strip-sack, as well as helping stop the Cardinals in two fourth-down plays. He finished Week 8 with four tackles.

Next weekend will pose a bigger challenge as the Seattle Seahawks visit Baltimore for a matchup against the Ravens inside M&T Bank Stadium. Pierce has been great all year long even if the stat sheet hasn't shown it. Here's hoping he can keep it going!

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