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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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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.

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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.

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