By Sean Geddes 

Charlie Batch neither won nor lost us this game, Baltimore is not Tampa Bay.

Rashard Mendenhall ran the ball hard against a tough defensive front, but maybe a few more opportunities receiving could have helped Batch out.

Antwaan Randle El made one heck of a catch, and should be more of a factor with Ben tossing the rock.

Mike Wallace is such a dangerous deep threat, but we couldn’t get him involved at all.

Hines Ward was almost invisible out there in the passing game.

Antonio Brown has the speed to be a real weapon on offense as well as special teams, but I am a little worried about his decision making when fielding kicks.

Heath Miller is too good of a player to only get two catches (again!)

Max Starks played a good game, he was one of only two offensive linemen without a penalty.

Chris Kemoeatu had his hands full all day with the Ravens interior line, but did a good enough job for me.

Maurkice Pouncey battled all day against Ngata in a highly anticipated match up, and fought for and recovered a fumble that really should have been a Ravens TD.

Doug Legursky was also given the responsibility to handle Ngata, which no one could have done; he was also the other linemen who didn’t get a flag thrown his way.

Flozell Adams false started once, but all in all played a pretty good game.

Aaron Smith was in on more than a few tackles and kept his assigned linemen busy all game.

Casey Hampton got a sack and forced a fumble, all while anchoring a line that gave up 70 yards rushing on 20+ carries.

Brett Kiesel was active against the run, and around the ball whenever possible in the passing game.

LaMarr Woodley pushed the pocket as much as possible, but Marshal Yanda did a great job as Gaither’s fill in.

James Farrior missed a couple of tackles in open space, but he wasn’t the only one.

Lawrence Timmons once again led the team in tackles; he has over half of his total from his best career year, and is second in the league in solo tackles.

James Harrison was held to zero sacks, but they’re hard to get when the tackle you’re supposed to beat gets a head start before the snap that often.

Ike Taylor actually caught a ball, but gave up 6 catches on his ten targeted passes.

Bryant McFadden needs some help over the top from time to time… like with less than a minute to go.

William Gay can play a solid nickel, and came up huge on the second to last Ravens possession.

Ryan Clark must really dislike the Ravens, considering he is willing to hurt himself to hurt them.

Troy Polamalu has played better games, especially against the Ravens, but still had a good day (for most players). 

Jeff Reed needs to start making some field goals when it matters again.

Daniel Sepulveda has got a strong leg, but some coffin corner punts would be nice too.

The Referees… I will never, ever blame a loss on the refs, and I won’t now, but this wasn’t a very well officiated game for either team.

The Ravens defense showed up as expected Sunday, as did ours. Unfortunately their offense was the ones who were best equipped to take advantage of the opportunities provided to them. The Steelers offense failed to capitalize on the two turnovers in their own territory, and left Jeff Reed with two long (but makeable) kicks which went wide. Some people say kickers should make everything, they have nothing else they have to do, but anything over 45 is no gimme at Heinz Field and a near 50 yarder plunked the upright. Still, Jeff, if you want to get paid like a premier kicker, you need to make one of those two at the very least.

Our defense played a good game against an offense without its most versatile threat (Ray Rice) most of the game. We allowed our first rushing touchdown of the year, on a Willis McGahee run, during which he sidestepped two Steelers on his way to the promise land. As a feared, we allowed a late game touchdown that cost us the W, but all in all, we played a good game against an offense with many weapons to prepare for, even if they haven’t totally gelled as of yet. I have to say though, perhaps a little press coverage when defending a shorter field could have mixed things up enough to throw their quick passing offense. I am positive Coach LeBeau knows what he can do to make an already great defense even better, and doesn’t need some guy with a keyboard telling him (so I’ll just shut up for now0.

Charlie Batch went over an hour (real time) without completing a pass, and missed Mike Wallace on both under and over thrown passes. His interception came very late, and with hopes deflated by Flacco’s (eventual) game winning strike to TJ Houshmanzadeh. All in all, I think I speak for Steeler Nation when I say thank you Charlie for filling in admirably when many of us had absolutely counted you out. You have been a fairly reliable back up for all of your time in Pittsburgh, and your veteran presence has helped us in more ways than just your on field play.

That said… Welcome back Ben! Though our record may not show it, we really missed you these last few weeks. 

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