Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
glenn erby

Key takeaways and highlights from first half of Ravens Week 5 matchup vs. Steelers

The Baltimore defense was dominant in the first half, holding Pittsburgh to 88 yards of total offense, but five dropped passes, and a Justice Hill fumble left the Ravens holding a 10-3 lead at the half.

Odell Beckham Jr. returned to the lineup but has primarily been ineffective, while Mike MacDonald’s defense has swarmed in Marlon Humphrey’s return to the lineup.

Buy Ravens Tickets

With the second half set to begin, here are highlights and key takeaways from the first 30 minutes of action.

Ravens go play-action on first play

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Jackson hooked up early with Rashod Bateman, connecting with the wideout for an 8 yard gain on a QB rollout that got the signal-caller away from pressure.

Lamar Jackson huge run

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Jackson leads the Ravens with 39 yards on 4 carries.

Lamar Jackson

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

After a positive start, the Steelers defense stiffened up, and Jackson finished the first drive 1-4 passing, for 8 yards.

Jackson’s 26 yard run was the longest play of the first drive.

Jackson finished the first half 15-25 passing, for 153-yards, with five dropped passes.

Marlon Humphrey early returns

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Pickens dominated the Ravens in matchups last season, but Marlon Humphrey looked strong early on in their Week 5 matchup.

Baltimore has been rotating Humphrey with Ronald Darby.

Justice Hill gets on the board

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Justice Hill #43 of the Baltimore Ravens runs past Cole Holcomb #55 of the Pittsburgh Steelers while scoring a touchdown during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Hill’s first carry of the game came with the Ravens in the red zone and he turned that opportunity into a 14 yard touchdown run to put Baltimore up 7-0.

Ravens red zone effciency

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Justice Hill #43 of the Baltimore Ravens runs for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

The Ravens have now scored on 9 straight red-zone possessions after Justice Hill jogged in from 12 yards out.

That’s amazing efficiency through the first quarter of the season.

Odell Beckham

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Beckham returned to the lineup, but didn’t see his first snap until Baltimore’s third drive of the game.

Beckham later got on the board with a 6 yard catch before exiting the game.

Ravens dominant first quarter

Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens have outpaced the Steelers 143-20 in yardage after one quarter.

Baltimore held the Steelers offense to 88 yards on 26 total plays in the first half, with 3.4 yards per play average.

Ravens drops

(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Baltimore came into the game as one of two NFL teams to not have a dropped pass through four weeks.

That streak is over after five dropped passes in the first half, including a Rashod Bateman dropped touchdown pass.

Kenny Pickett

Oct 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) throws the ball during warm-ups before playing the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers’ second-year star is 7-15 passing, for 60 yards in a quiet first half.

George Pickens

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers No. 1 wide receiver has 2 catches for 32 yards on 5 targets against Brandon Stephens and Marlon Humphrey.

Arthur Maulet homecoming sack

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In his homecoming to Pittsburgh, Maulet has 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and 1 QB hit in the first half.

Justice Hill

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

After a solid start, Hill coughed up the football, Baltimore’s 9th fumble of the season.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.