The Baltimore Ravens concluded their season with a heartbreaking 26-24 defeat against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18. Below is a position-by-position breakdown of their performance during this critical matchup.
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson demonstrated resilience, particularly in the second half as the Ravens trailed. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 238 yards and threw three touchdowns, including impressive 50 and 64-yard connections in the fourth quarter. Jackson also made a key 26-yard pass to tight end Isaiah Likely, which set up rookie Tyler Loop”s missed 44-yard field goal attempt as time expired. Despite a rocky start, Jackson excelled when it mattered most. Grade: A
Running Backs
Derrick Henry carried the ball 20 times for 126 yards, showcasing his power throughout the game. He had a notable 41-yard run, but the Ravens struggled to find an effective pass-blocking running back, as Rasheen Ali fell short. Backup Keaton Mitchell appeared fatigued and lacked acceleration, despite a significant kickoff return late in the game. Grade: B
Offensive Line
Baltimore achieved 137 rushing yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. The offensive line performed well initially, but the Steelers adjusted in the second half to contain Henry. The Ravens have faced ongoing pass-blocking issues, and while they accumulated 359 total yards, Jackson”s ability to improvise masked some of the line”s struggles. Pittsburgh recorded three sacks and five hits on the quarterback. Grade: C+
Receivers
Zay Flowers stood out with four receptions totaling 138 yards, including the two touchdown catches in the fourth quarter. The coverage mismatch, with linebacker Patrick Queen on Flowers during the 50-yard score, raised questions. The rest of the receiving corps contributed adequately, with tight ends Mark Andrews and Likely both making two catches. Grade: C
Defensive Line
The Steelers managed to generate enough ground game activity to relieve pressure on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh”s Jaylen Warren rushed 14 times for 66 yards, and the Ravens” defense seemed to weaken in the second half. The Ravens failed to apply significant pressure during the last two quarters. Brent Urban and John Jenkins both had three tackles apiece but the interior line”s inability to create pressure remains a concern. Grade: C
Linebackers
It was unusual for middle linebacker Roquan Smith to finish with only three tackles, as he struggled against the Steelers” tight ends and receivers. The Ravens initially performed well defensively but appeared to tire as the game progressed. Weakside linebacker Simpson recorded eight tackles, while Tavius Robinson added six tackles, including a sack. The Ravens need a more dominant presence in the front seven. Grade: C
Secondary
The Ravens attempted to utilize various coverages, but their tackling issues persisted. Safety Kyle Hamilton tallied nine tackles, with Alohi Gilman contributing eight. However, the team missed several key tackles, and cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, and safety Malaki Starks were among the culprits. Rodgers completed 31 of 47 passes for 294 yards and one touchdown, finishing with a 90.2 passer rating. This performance was especially concerning given his age and the short, effective passes he executed. Grade: D
Special Teams
Rookie kicker Tyler Loop had a promising season, but his failed attempt at a game-winning field goal under pressure was disappointing. Fans hope he can bounce back from this setback. Punter Jordan Stout averaged 47.8 yards per punt, providing solid field position during the first half as Jackson faced challenges. Mitchell”s 41-yard kickoff return set up Loop”s missed kick. Grade: B
Coaching
The Ravens” reliance on Henry has raised concerns, as this has been a persistent issue for two seasons. Jackson added a dynamic element by utilizing his running ability, but the team must address its offensive line”s pass-blocking deficiencies. Defensively, the Ravens struggled to cover effectively in the secondary, with the final 26-yard touchdown to Calvin Austin III being particularly unacceptable. Changes are needed on both sides of the ball. Grade: C
