Steelers vs. Ravens Week 18: PFF grades and full photos
Steelers vs. Ravens Week 18: PFF grades and full photos
Pittsburgh took care of business in the 2023 season finale, getting the extra boost it needed to advance to the postseason with a 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. The running game thrived again, racking up 155 yards in a sand and rain battle. Red zone transitions, controlling time of possession and limiting defensive plays/scoreboards were some of the keys to getting the win they needed.
RB Naji Harris was strong again, recording 100+ games (unprecedented) for the second straight time through the end of 2023. It’s a great time to get 1,000 yards to make history for the Steelers and a big part of it to get Pittsburgh into the playoffs. 112 yards, 4.3 YPC and a touchdown on 26 carries. Four touchdowns in the first 14 games compared to four in the last three games is one of the many positive trends in the game and hopefully that playoff success will continue.
G Isaac Seumalo (78.5, 62) was a force for most of the game and set the tone primarily as a run blocker (76.0-RBLK). Highlights included Harris making a great play, making boards off the line, repeatedly shoving his man and getting whistled. The 64.2-PBLK, including two runs, was lower than expected, and Smalo had impressive performances, winning three straight games to end the year. RB Jaylen Warren (49.2, 27) is second on the list in 2023. Most notable were the two fumbles (one lost) that were problematic for both teams due to the circumstances. 3.7 YPA, 9 attempts, 33 yards is not a typical stat line he puts up, and he was limited to 3.4 YPR (5 catches, 17 yards) as a receiver.
T Broderick Jones (48.3, 62) particularly struggled as a pass blocker, allowing three pressures, two hurries and a sack (34.2) before halftime (T Dan Moore fumble). Jones recovered other fumbles and fumbles from Warren in the run game, but was inconsistent (51.8-RBLK).
Lowest ranked QB Mason Rudolph (39.4, 62). He also had three fumbles (one lost), giving him a reasonable but misleading 46.2 PASS rating. The conditions and playing conditions meant there was little necessity in the passing game. Rudolph lightened the workload throughout, going 18-of-20 for a franchise-record 90.0 completion percentage. Of course, the coin toss to Johnson was the highlight of the 152-yard touchdown. Pittsburgh’s 100-plus passing streak over the past three games should be very interesting heading into the postseason.
Fortunately, there are three players. Mark Robinson received the highest defense and overall scores (94.2). Complete game with 13 tackles and 5 combined tackles (third on team). A free blitz for a sack, another punt for a forced fumble/turnover, and two great quarterbacks putting up an impressive battle on the same block. I’m glad to see you young. Fortunately, EDGE has another elite game for T.J. Watt (91.6) had a league-high two sacks (91.0-PRSH) and was excellent on defense (80.2). Of his eight total tackles, three were for loss (second on the team) and five of them were interceptions (fumbles). Unfortunately, during the victory came some terrible news. An MCL injury kept him out (30 snaps) and he barely made the playoffs. It’s heartbreaking. DL Armon Watts had the highest grade of the year (90.3, 9). We saw some good passing in the first half, but the defense was poor. I really liked the third quarter replay and they had the lead on the screen in the fourth quarter as well. Interestingly, while he’s reached that level, he’s also had other low starting PFF performances: 77.3-RDEF;
