Knee-Jerk Reactions: Steelers 17 Ravens 10

The Pittsburgh Steelers won in Baltimore again, besting the Ravens’ backups 17-10 in Week 18. RSR staff react to the loss here.

Derek Arnold

Hey, Trenton Simpson! Looks like EDC may have hit on another, as the rookie flashed nicely today. Melvin Gordon probably played himself into being inactive in favor of Dalvin Cook in two weeks with his early fumble. Fortunately, his insertion into Harbs’ doghouse didn’t result in Gus Edwards getting injured with the increased workload (though it did end up in Gus having fumblitis himself). Speaking of fumbles, the Steelers fumbled six times today, and the Ravens only fell on one of them. I don’t hate burning through fumble luck in this game to be honest…save it for the playoffs.

Jordan Stout looks to be back after a couple rough weeks where he was dealing with a back injury. The punt coverage though…yuck.

Looks like the Ravens escaped without any major injuries, I think? Justice Hill looked to be favoring his hand or arm late, but stayed in the game, and Geno Stone exited. The Steelers on the other hand…ah, who are we kidding? Watt will be fine.

Tyler Huntley was throwing to backups as well, but didn’t look very good, whether due to rust or conditions. Would have been nice if he could have authored a win in this game. Ah well.

Onward.

Darin McCann

This would have been a fun one to win, but it was pretty evident throughout the week that priorities one, two and three this game would be to get out of it as healthy as possible as the Ravens go into postseason mode.

Tyler Huntley struggled to get much offense going as the team seemed to fall behind down-and-distance nearly every drive, when they weren’t fumbling the ball away to the Steelers.

The Steelers needed this one more, and they came up with more plays than the Ravens did, personnel issues aside. On to the playoffs.

Chad Racine

Beyond it being a meaningless game the excitement lived up to its low expectations. The only real goal was to come out as healthy as possible. Unfortunately Geno Stone and Del’Shawn Phillips both exited the game with injuries.

The bright spot was Trenton Simpson looks like he’ll be an adequate replacement for Patrick Queen next year. Other than that, I’m glad the game is over and it’s time for the Ravens to focus on the playoffs.

Rob Shields

In some ways, a loss is a win because it makes it harder on Buffalo to get into the playoffs but I still hate losing to Pittsburgh.

I admit I was a little upset with some of the play today even with guys out but at the end of the day, whatever.

Hopefully Stone’s knee is OK but ultimately, no one really got hurt and that was the biggest thing.

Chris Schisler

This one shouldn’t hurt…but it kind of does. It does not matter but the Ravens had a chance to beat a division rival in a game they had to have. Not playing the starters was the right call. It just made for an un-fun and pointless game in horrible weather. The Steelers swept the Ravens and neither win feels all that earned. The first win for Tomlin’s crew was aided by seven Ravens drops. This one by the fact that the Ravens didn’t need it and you could tell. I don’t know how much they could have done differently in this situation, but it was a horrible product for the NFL. The most fun regular season in a while ends pointlessly, and in boring fashion. It shouldn’t hurt, but if you’re a Ravens fan it’s okay to feel it.

Nick Polinsky

The main goal was to leave the stadium healthy, and they did pretty well in that department. Geno Stone seemed to be not seriously hurt after coming out of the tent, and Del’Shawn Phillips suffered a shoulder injury and was deemed questionable to return.

One of the guys I highlighted before the week, Trenton Simpson, showed flash. He picked up a sack, and read a jet sweep perfectly blowing up Jaylen Warren. I see a lot of Patrick Queen in Simpson, and Simpson could end up filling Queen’s role if PQ decides to walk in free agency.

Jared Pinder

There isn’t much to say about this one. The fumbles were costly but this game never mattered. It was awesome to see Trenton Simpson look so good, and this could be a look into the future of the team with Queen’s contract coming up. It was a disgusting game with awful weather.

Now it is time to lock in stay focused and get healthy for the long road to the Super Bowl that comes through Baltimore.

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