Bob Haynie: Steelers Throttle Ravens
Ben Roethlisberger is on a roll, I would think it's safe to say. Throwing 12 TD passes in two games will give people that impression.
A week after shredding the Indianapolis Colts for 522 yards and six TDS, Roethlisberger took aim at the Ravens' hapless secondary on Sunday night. As a national television audience watched, he flung the ball for 340 yards and six more TDS as Pittsburgh routed Baltimore 43-23 at Heinz Field.
Big Ben completed 25 of 37 pass attempts as the Steelers won their third-straight to improve to 6-3 in 2014. For the Ravens, who have lost back-to-back games, they drop to 5-4 and into last place in the AFC North.
Baltimore did a good job of containing Le'Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh running game. Early in the game, the Ravens did pressure Roethlisberger and limit the air assault fairly well. Unfortunately, once the pass rush was neutralized, it was all over for the Baltimore secondary.
With CB Jimmy Smith out with a foot injury, the Ravens are in big trouble in the defensive backfield. The pass defense is allowing 263.2 YPG which is 26th in the NFL. They have given up 2369 total passing yards which is 30th in a 32 team league. The Ravens have five interceptions as a team and only one is by a DB (Smith).
Last I checked, Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes are long retired and do not have access to a Time Machine. I would think that all of the high-quality defensive backs of the present are already employed. So the Ravens are going to have to make due with what they have and hope Smith gets back ASAP.
The Ravens next face the Tennessee Titans at home in their last game before the bye week. That has now become a must win game for Baltimore.
The Titans are not world beaters and they are starting a rookie--Zach Mettenberger--at quarterback. This should be an easy win, right?
After watching the Ravens secondary over the past couple of weeks, I wouldn't dismiss any QB or assume any victory.
Follow @1057TheFan
Related Stories - Baltimore Ravens:
