Watch the video at halftime to check off if the Ravens are following our [my] advice. #GoRavens.
SPOT, STOP, DROP Le'Veon Bell
Despite a curtailed 2013 rookie campaign due to a mid-foot sprain, the Steelers’ lethal weapon still averaged an jaw-dropping 8.9 yards per catch-and-run (45 receptions, 399 yards). That average was higher than Bears’ Matt Forte (8.0), quick feet of Darren Sproles (8.5) and the shifty Fred Jackson (8.2).
Bell is already on pace to obliterating his rookie achievement, catching six passes for 88 yards and rushing 21 times for 109 yards against the Browns in Week 1.
He’s still inexperienced but the Ravens defense must keep an eye on Bell at all times. Whether he is motioned out of the backfield like he was in the first play of last week’s game (when he lined up across Buster Skrine), or if he’s leaking out of the backfield to the flats post-snap.
Whoever Deen Pees chooses to spy the sneaky back, C.J. Mosley or Daryl Smith, will be ready to run everywhere on the field tonight. The "drop" is another way of saying, "MAKE THE TACKLE!"
Hot pocket for Big Ben
Tonight is about all about microwaving Ben Roethlisberger in the pocket. (That’s what I call a hot pocket).
From watching last week’s footage, Big Ben is taking a three-step drop back and lofting the ball towards the rail where only his freaky-fast receivers can come down with the rock. Timing route or not, it was amazing to watch the wideouts toast Cleveland’s secondary due to the lack of pressure up front.
Karlos Dansby picked a pass off intended for Bell (who was in the flats by the way). The wideouts were well-covered and the Browns sent in a linebacker to force Roethlisberger to make an erroneous pass.
His lone touchdown pass that afternoon came after he sidestepped out of a collapsing pocket and lobbed one up for Antonio Brown running a deep post route from the left side against man coverage.
Run down their throats
After taking a 27-3 lead, the Browns offense engineered a furious comeback to tie the game at 27 by the fourth quarter. Then … Cleveland retreated to their old passing ways and lost six yards on their potential game-winning drive. The Ravens can’t commit this heinous crime. Gary Kubiak cannot have Joe Flacco throwing 62 passes like he did last week. The offense must suppress their temptations to throw the ball too frequently and salvage their opportunities to catch the Steelers off-guard. The show must go on without Ray Rice -- meaning Bernard Pierce and Justin Forsett must set the bar for the young backups to follow.