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Pittsburgh Steelers Meet The Opponent: Baltimore Ravens

By Donnie Druin

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a catch while being defended by Brandon Carr #24 of the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a catch while being defended by Brandon Carr #24 of the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Za’Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens sacks Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 23: Za’Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens sacks Case Keenum #4 of the Denver Broncos during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Defense

Rankings Through Week Three:
Overall defense: 1st (273 ypg)
Rushing defense: 13th (103.7 ypg)
Passing defense: 2nd (169.3 ypg) 
Points per game: 5th (17 ppg)

Baltimore’s defense ranks out as one of the top in the league, and it all starts up front. The Ravens, who run a 3-4 similar to Pittsburgh, run three defensive linemen in their base sets. Brandon Williams remains one of the more underrated interior linemen in the league, playing alongside a valuable Michael Pierce and Brent Urban to complete the Ravens trio down low.

Much like the Steelers, the Ravens defensive success runs through the play of their linebackers. The group is headlined by outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, who quarterback Ben Roethlisberger called “A future first-ballot Hall of Famer” in an interview with NBC ahead of Sunday night’s game. Matt Judon anchors the other side of the field at the other outside linebacker position. Baltimore rotated seven linebackers last Sunday, none more effective than rookie inside linebacker Kenny Young, who has led the team in tackles in CJ Mosley’s absence last week. Also look for the likes of Patrick Onwuasor and Za’Darius Smith in the front seven as well.

The strength of this defense in 2018 has been the secondary, led by veteran safety Eric Weddle. Tony Jefferson carries strong safety duties for the Ravens, as Jefferson is second on the team in tackles with 3 pass defenses and 1 interception to his name already. Cornerback Jimmy Smith is currently serving his last of a four game suspension, a key part of the secondary when it comes to limiting Antonio Brown considering his personal success against Brown.

Brandon Carr and Marlon Humphrey currently hold down the top two spots in a secondary that has three interceptions through three games. Tavon Young plays as the team’s slot corner, and will draw the tough assignment of guarding JuJu Smith-Schuster on a good amount of plays. The Ravens success in the defensive backfield will either be won or broken with Young’s performance in the slot. The Ravens have allowed a mere passing rating of 67.6 with a 52.3 completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks.

This is Don Martindale’s first year serving as defensive coordinator for Baltimore, and fans have to like the results so far. Martindale considers himself one of the more aggressive coordinators on his side of the ball, and so far that’s been true. Baltimore has registered nine sacks thus far, while only allowing a 31% conversion rate on third down.

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