View from Baltimore: Steelers 'playing better,' Ravens still really good, but not like last year - TribLIVE

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Even at 6-0, it still may not be easy for fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers to envision a win for their team Sunday in Baltimore. But Mike Tomlin’s club is certainly better poised to beat the Ravens than it was last season.

For one, Ben Roethlisberger is healthy at quarterback. So it’s clear the Steelers are a more daunting opponent now.

Secondly, this iteration of the Ravens doesn’t appear to be quite as sharp as the 14-2 crew that won the 2019 AFC North championship.

At least not yet.

For instance, at 164 yards per game, the Ravens still lead the NFL in rushing. But that’s a far cry from the 206-yards-per-game machine they were on the ground a season ago.

The defense is the best in football in terms of preventing points, just 17.3 per game. But they have dipped from their 2020 pace attempting to slow the pass, slowing the run, and in total yards allowed.

And throwing the ball on offense, the Ravens are way off. Lamar Jackson won the MVP trophy with a 113.3 passer rating (third best in the NFL) and an NFL-best QBR of 83.0. This year, he is 14th in passer rating at 99.2 and tied for 11th with a QBR of 76.1.

It’s not all his fault. Jackson’s wide receivers have only accounted for two touchdown receptions (tight end Mark Andrews has five). And his offensive line hasn’t provided protection as well as last year. Jackson absorbed 23 sacks all of last season. He’s already been dropped 15 times through six games in 2020.

So it’s not just your perception, Stillers fans. The numbers suggest it as well. The road hasn’t been quite as smooth for the Ravens as a 5-1 record may indicate. Especially compared to the joy ride of a season ago.

They are saying so in Maryland, too.

Jeremy Conn of 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore joined me for Friday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. And he points out that the faults in the Ravens’ performance so far are evident even if you are viewing them through Purple and Black glasses.

“I don’t think there is any question the Steelers are playing better than what the Ravens have,” Conn said. “I’m doing our postgame show, and even after wins, I’ve been critical of the team. I don’t understand the thought process a lot of the time of what they are doing.

“The Ravens are still a really good team. But I don’t think they are as good as they were last year.”

What are the reasons for that? Conn has a bunch of theories. Such as:

• The Ravens are still throwing the ball at a league-low 49%, but that’s up by 4% from last year. And the team’s air attack hasn’t been as crisp. As Conn points out, it’s counter to how the team has assembled talent in the offseason, drafting Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins in the second round and giving him just 36 touches.

“I think Dobbins is special. I don’t know why he doesn’t get more touches. He’s a guy I have been screaming about,” Conn said.

“Are they saving him for down the line? I have no idea. But I do think he is their feature back after this year.”

Specifically, Conn says the Ravens have gotten away from running on “third-and-intermediate” down-and-distance situations. Last year, if they then didn’t get the proper distance needed, they’d go for it on fourth-and-short and get to the sticks.

Now he says an inefficient passing game on third down in such situations is leading to more punts.

“I don’t understand what the coaching staff is doing in Baltimore with how much they have been throwing the ball,” Conn said.

• The franchise has struggled to find an option to replace former All-Pro Marshal Yanda at right guard. He called the offensive line “suspect at best.”

• The defense has become over-reliant on blitzing to create pass pressure. Hence the recent trade to acquire former Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.

Now, opposing offenses have countered Baltimore’s blitz-heavy approach with screens, pop passes, quick outs and tandem routes. He points to the Kansas City Chiefs’ game plan early this season when the defending Super Bowl champions handed Baltimore its only defeat so far in 2020.

“(Head coach) Andy Reid was like a surgeon. He had the right play call almost every single time and the Ravens got embarrassed on national TV,” Conn said of Kansas City’s 34-20 “Monday Night Football” win in Week 3.

• Time of possession is down. John Harbaugh’s team has dropped from first to 15th in that category.

• Teams are getting away with doubling Mark Andrews a lot because the wide receivers have been less than impactful.

That said, Conn is still picking the Ravens 24-17. I’ll go with Baltimore as well, 26-23.

Then I’ve got the Steelers winning the next three against the Cowboys, Bengals and Jaguars. Plus, the rematch against Baltimore at Heinz Field on Thanksgiving night.

Hear more of Conn’s analysis, why he thinks Chase Claypool could’ve been a Raven, and why the organization decided to sign Dez Bryant in today’s podcast.

LISTEN: Tim Benz and Jeremy Conn of Baltimore radio preview the Steelers-Ravens game

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

Categories: Sports | Steelers/NFL | Breakfast With Benz