PITTSBURGH -- Five way-too-quick takes in the immediate aftermath of the Pittsburgh Steelers' 23-20 overtime victory over their AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens. Click here to find out more! 1. Steelers have O-line issues The No. 1 concern for the Steelers in the preseason was along the offensive line, and Monday night proved the legitimacy of that worry. Yes, the Ravens have an elite defensive front, and few coordinators are as good as Rex Ryan at creating pressure. But Marvel Smith struggled mightily with Terrell Suggs and the right side -- manned by Kendall Simmons (who suffered a season-ending injury) and Willie Colon -- was sent into a state of confusion by a slew of pressure looks bringing Bart Scott on the inside.
The worst part: Ben Roethlisberger seemed to be losing faith in his protection. His footwork was off, he was quick to bail out of the pocket and seemed to get popped every time he lingered back there. Moreover, the run blocking hasn't been much better. As impressive as the Steelers' array of skill-position talent is, Pittsburgh isn't going anywhere unless that line improves.
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians' shrewd adjustments -- going no huddle, emphasizing shorter drops and going into max protect more often -- helped remedy the problem. But a four-game stretch starting in Week 8 awaits Pittsburgh, during which that front will have to block Justin Tuck, Jason Taylor, Dwight Freeney and Shaun Phillips, among others. Good luck with that, Steelers.
2. Give the Ravens credit, too
As much as you might blame the Pittsburgh coaches and linemen for not adjusting to Baltimore's pressure, Ryan deserves credit for getting so many rushers free runs at Roethlisberger.
This, it seems, is the Baltimore defense that helped propel the Ravens to a 13-3 record two years ago, and the one that went toe-to-toe with a record-breaking Patriots offense last fall.
With a stout front, versatile linebackers and two solid defensive backs in Chris McAlister and Ed Reed, Ryan has what he needs to disrupt offenses, as long as he can get better play from a somewhat shallow secondary. The Ravens have a real chance in a watered-down AFC North, and that defense is the reason.
3. Flacco impresses
It's impossible to get a real assessment on Joe Flacco because the body of work isn't there yet. But corner his offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, and I'd bet you'd find a man encouraged by the events of Monday night.
For more than a half, the rookie from Delaware -- playing his first NFL road game under the lights in front of an intimidating Pittsburgh crowd -- looked more comfortable at points than the home quarterback, who happens to have a Super Bowl ring.
After a pair of third-quarter series ended in strip-sacks, one by James Harrison and another by LaMarr Woodley, Flacco came undone a bit. But the poise to stand tall in the pocket in the face of the rush, and the arm strength (exhibited clearly on a 26-yard bullet to Derrick Mason) was there early.
Most impressive was his 35-yard beauty on third-and-long to Mason in the fourth quarter, getting the Ravens to the Pittsburgh 5 to set up the game-tying touchdown, and that it came one play after Harrison and Woodley combined to sack him.
4. But the Ravens need to protect their QB
Ravens left tackle Jared Gaither looked lost trying to block Harrison, even when he had help in unbalanced looks with fellow tackle Adam Terry (equally inept).
Gaither, in case you forgot, was groomed last year to replace Jonathan Ogden, a near-lock for the Hall of Fame. And while it may be unfair to judge him, or Terry, based on their play against one of the best edge-rushing tandems in the league (Harrison/Woodley), it's clear that this is an area worth watching.
The Ravens cannot allow Flacco to go the way of David Carr, and with a brutal schedule dotted with premier pass-rushers, the potential for that exists.
5. Every win counts in the AFC North
Why? Well, look who those clubs have to play: the AFC South and NFC East, arguably the two toughest divisions in football.
At this point, it seems unlikely that more than one team from this group will make the playoffs. So that automatic bid is key. Which is why it's a pretty safe bet that Mike Tomlin can't kill himself over the aesthetic flaws of Monday's win.
Source : Sportingnews
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