The Baltimore Ravens are playing far from their best football and the signs of frustration are becoming increasingly obvious, with two All-Pro starters unable to contain their anger during Week 14’s 27-22 defeat to arch rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It was a game marred in controversy thanks to several overturned calls that went against the Ravens. Yet, those decisions weren’t why middle linebacker Roquan Smith vented his frustration toward his own coaches.
Smith was irked more by the lack of readiness and communication that led to a defense-wide breakdown when Steelers running back Jaylen Warren burned the Ravens for a 38-yard touchdown catch and run.
Warren’s score led to “Smith yelling out toward the sideline in frustration. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Steelers had scored points on five of the first six full drives,” according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
Smith’s anger extended to the offense, when left tackle Ronnie Stanley couldn’t contain himself after the game-deciding play. Stanley and the offensive line had allowed Lamar Jackson to be sacked for a second time, leading the Pro-Bowl blindside protector to throw “his helmet before he even reached the sideline,” per Zrebiec.
Core players losing their cool is a telling symbol of the 2025 NFL season for the Ravens. Things haven’t gone to plan and a brief, mid-season rally has proved nothing more than a false dawn.
Mounting disappointment only prompts questions about the futures of players and coaches.
Roquan Smith and Defense Faltering in Key Moments
They had been enjoying a promising turnaround defensively, but the unit reverted to early season type for the visit of the Steelers. Smith and Co. surrendered multiple big plays through the air, including three completions of 30-plus yards to Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers and his receivers.
Those gains propped up a Pittsburgh offense that mustered a mere 34 yards on the ground. The lopsided disparity led to the Ravens becoming the “first team since 2022 to lose after producing 200-plus rushing yards and allowing 50 or fewer rushing yards,” according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, who cited ESPN Research.
More important, the vulnerability against the pass had uncomfortable echoes of the Ravens’ struggles from earlier in the season. Struggles that now have some questioning the future of an All-Pro starter in the secondary.
Players on the back end can take the brunt of the blame for the breakdowns against the Steelers, but Smith is the on-field signal-caller for the whole defense. It’s on him to rally the unit and make sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be to properly execute the calls of defensive coordinator Zach Orr.
Unfortunately, poor execution wasn’t limited to Smith and the defense. The offense also needs leaders like Stanley to take charge and clean up core mistakes.
Ronnie Stanley Remains Key for Ravens’ Offense
He’s 31, but Stanley is still the most important player for Baltimore’s offense in the trenches. It’s Stanley who can keep Jackson upright long enough for the two-time NFL MVP to rediscover his best form.
Stanley is also the linchpin of the Ravens’ run-blocking schemes. No. 79 gave an ample demonstration of this vital role by clearing the way for running back Keaton Mitchell to score from 56 yards out.
He remains an above-average tackle in both phases of the offense, but Stanley’s experience isn’t helping the Ravens overcome fundamental, procedural errors. Like when Zrebiec noticed the “Ravens operation was way too slow on the final drive. They got the ball with 1:56 left and a timeout. Yes, the Vorhees hold was a tough way to start the drive, but to only get to Steelers 30 in that amt of time, they just took way too much time and were way too indecisive.”
Making basic mistakes in clutch moments is the hallmark of a losing team. The Ravens won’t change that narrative unless senior players like Smith and Stanley channel their obvious frustrations in positive ways.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Ravens All-Pro Duo Visibly Frustrated During Loss vs. Steelers appeared first on Heavy Sports.