With the Ravens prevailing for the sixth time in seven games to improve to 9-4 in a 16-14 win at rival Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Regardless of circumstances, beating the Steelers is good for the soul, which was apparent with the postgame locker room and overall fan morale compared to the last few weeks. The Ravens are now 2-0 in games in which Lamar Jackson hasn’t played or was injured after going 1-5 last year.
2. Using backup quarterbacks and having little choice but to run the ball, Baltimore gained 220 yards on 39 carries before the final three kneels. Imposing their will in a situation like that said much about the Ravens and their resolve compared to the Steelers defense.
3. That was evident when “Renegade” played before Baltimore took possession with 11:14 remaining. Instead of Pittsburgh being rejuvenated, a 13-play drive lasting nearly eight minutes resulted in what ultimately was the game-winning field goal. Gus Edwards’ third-and-3 conversion on the last drive was the final nail in the coffin.
4. You had to feel great for J.K. Dobbins, who had three carries of 10-plus yards and was credited by PFF with 49 of his 120 yards coming after contact. Even looking like he still has lingering hitch in his giddy-up, Dobbins brings a home-run dynamic to this rushing attack.
5. The defense did plenty of bending in allowing 6.2 yards per play — Baltimore’s worst mark since Week 3 — to an offense that’s been far from explosive this season, but intercepting three passes inside the 10-yard line certainly does the trick. The Ravens will need plenty of that in January.
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6. After Roquan Smith picked off former Chicago teammate Mitch Trubisky on the previous possession, Patrick Queen made the kind of sensational interception the Ravens envisioned when making him a first-round pick. Baltimore’s inside linebackers are living up to high expectations.
7. How many even knew Anthony Brown was the No. 3 quarterback before this week? How many quarterbacks have made their NFL debut backed up at their own 1-yard line? The undrafted rookie played with impressive composure and took care of the football. You couldn’t ask for more.
8. John Harbaugh said Calais Campbell is “definitely a Hall of Fame field goal blocker” after the 36-year-old deflected Chris Bowell’s 40-yard try in the fourth quarter. He also saved Baltimore with a block in last year’s comeback win over Indianapolis. No one’s done that better than him over his career.
9. Marcus Williams has now intercepted four passes in essentially 5 1/2 games as a Raven. His range playing a deep center field is an element this defense hasn’t had for a long time. He’s already tied his career high for picks despite missing over half the season thus far.
10. It sounds strange saying this after a game in which the Ravens were down to their third quarterback, but the overall health of this team is looking better and better, especially if Jackson and right guard Kevin Zeitler can return at full strength sooner than later.
11. Watching George Pickens burn Marlon Humphrey — who labeled himself a “liability” after the game — provided some ammunition for fans who wanted the Ravens to draft the 6-foot-3 receiver instead of David Ojabo in the second round. Ojabo remained a healthy scratch and is still preparing to make his NFL debut.
12. On the way from the press box to the postgame locker room, reporters crossed paths with Ben Roethlisberger by the elevators. You think the Steelers would have preferred him over the interception-happy Trubisky on Sunday? What a strange but fun game that saw four different quarterbacks.
