Do not take the Ravens lightly. They are well coached, have SB experience from their QB, have a very good D, and a very good K.
It was actually good to play Pitt this week, as it will help when getting ready for the Ravens. We must make sure to keep Steve Smith in check.
As for today's game. We made a ton of mistakes, some at crucial moments of the game. We had too many penalties, and yes, some of them were bogus, but many others were not. Still, even with all the mistakes, we did something in years past, that we didn't do. We hung tough, we stayed together, fought, scrapped, scraped, made plays, and found a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The moxie and poise of this team is an outstanding thing to witness.
Bailey is no longer the team MVP. He is still high on the list, as the best kicker in the league should be, but he has been surpassed by Zeke and Dak.
I love the fight of our defense. We don't get a lot of pressure, but they are scrappy and work hard. IMO, if we have Mo, Church, and OScan doesn't get hurt, the Steelers get blown out. One aspect of the D that seems to have improved mightily over years past is the tackling. Not only the one on one tackling, but also the gang tackling. Also, Wilcox, who I have been openly critical of, has shown to have improved his technique and awareness, while also continuing to lay some serious wood on opposing players.
This OL is just disgustingly sick. If you are opposing front 7, our OL is pure evil. They beat on you, lean on you, push you around, throw you around, pancake you time and again........It is a beautiful thing to watch. I love how Dak stays upright most of the game. I love how Zeke is getting 7 yds a pop on 1st down runs. It is so good, that we can actually run productive screen passes now, something that has been pretty much a myth most of my adult life.
Garrett is doing a fine job of coaching this year. He no longer seems like JJ's puppet, but his own man. Marinelli is working wonders with this defense. Linehan is frustrating me with some of his play calling, like when he gets cute with those bubble screens, those dumb fades to Dez, and passing too much, when he could use Zeke a bit more.
It feels good, great, and exciting to watch the Boys again.....I am loving this and enjoying every moment.