Steelers vs Ravens - REPORT CARD

Ben Pondering His Weekly Grade...

QUARTERBACK - Ben Roethlisberger had another great game, but it was more about efficiency than it was flash.  He didn't throw for 300+ yards with 4 TDs.  No, he was 17/23 for 160yds and a TD.  No interceptions / fumbles again was huge for the Steelers.  Best part about Ben's performance?  The plays he made when it mattered the most.  With the game tied and the ball on the 37 yard line, Ben made some crucial plays to extend drives when the game was on the line.  Haven't seen that in a while.  Red Zone failures is what kept Ben from getting a superb grade for me.
GRADE - A

WIDE RECEIVERS - Antonio Brown continues to make plays in a variety of ways.  Returning the ball, running the ball, and obviously catching the football.  He has truly blossomed into a #1 WR this year, but the buck didn't stop at number 84.  Jerricho Cotchery had some great catches that extended drives along with Derick Moye and Heath Miller.  This group would get a great grade if it weren't for Heath's fumble that cost the Steelers 3 points, and Derick Moye's dropped pass in the endzone that should have been 6.
GRADE - A-

RUNNING BACKS - Alert the press!  The Steelers rushed for over 100 yards as a team for the first time this year.  Who cares they still don't have a 100yd rusher individually...baby steps people.  This was a big baby step in the correct direction.  Due in part to a great offensive game plan and improved OLine play, Le'Veon Bell finished with 93yds, Big Ben with 23, and Felix Jones added 16 yards to that total.  Not too shabby for a unit that was averaging under 70yds/game until the Ravens came to town.
GRADE - A-

OFFENSIVE LINE - Todd Haley helped this unit out BIG TIME by throwing Mike Adams and Guy Whimper in as extra tackles to not only protect the QB, but also to open up running lanes.  Both worked great as the Steelers rushed for over 100yds and Ben was only sacked once.  When Marcus Gilbert left the game with a sore quad, Whimper came in and didn't miss a beat.  This was BY FAR the best OLine performance for the Steelers this season, and I give them a very good grade...
GRADE - A

DEFENSIVE LINE - I gave this group a tough time last week saying that they weren't making enough plays. They changed that this week.  Steve McLendon was actually noticeable on the field, Cam Heyward is starting to look like a number 1 draft pick, and Ziggy Hood and Brett Keisel made great plays in the running game.  This is a group that is improving just like the OLine, and it couldn't come at a better time.  This group held the Ravens to 82 yards rushing, and although that isn't really "shutting someone down", its a step in the right direction.
GRADE - A-

LINEBACKERS - The linebacking crew had a great game, but really one player in particular...Lawrence Timmons.  Timmons registered a team high 17 tackles, with 12 solo tackles.  Yeah, thats not a typo.  A man that doesn't lead with his voice, but his play sure as heck backs it up.  Timmons was spying on the Raven's running backs all game, and it paid off.  Vince Williams played the best game of the season by far, and Lamarr Woodley is having a bounce back year that NO ONE is really talking about.  This group had a great game, but they still need Jarvis Jones healthy.
GRADE - A

SECONDARY - The Steelers' secondary had a pretty solid game.  William Gay broke up 2 TD passes and has solidified the opposite side of the field.  Cortez Allen has been taking the slot receiver and looks comfortable there.  Some questionable penalties went against Ike Taylor, but for the most part, the secondary was outstanding in this game.  Troy Polamalu's off sides craziness needs to improve, but he played more center field this past game then he has all  year.  Thats a good thing.
GRADE - B+

SPECIAL TEAMS - Shaun Suisham was 4-4, the Steelers didn't have to punt often, and the return game was "above the line" as Mike Tomlin would say.  You can't ask for much more from your special teams units.
GRADE - A+

COACHING - I wrote an entire article about this yesterday (if you missed it CLICK HERE) and each coach for the Steelers deserves a passing grade.  In fact, better than passing...
GRADE - A+