Ravens vs. Steelers: Final score tracker and instant analysis for Week 8

Keep it tuned here to see the latest score and instant analysis of each scoring drive between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens sit at 5-1, which is good for second place within the AFC North. Atop the division are the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens and Steelers will clash today, which will determine not only the top of the AFC North, but potentially the top of the entire conference.

We’ll find out a lot about both teams in this game. Neither the Ravens nor Steelers have had the toughest schedule to date but have each had some sloppy play and difficulties despite their winning records. With few games more important than this one on the schedule for Baltimore and Pittsburgh, we should see the best from both teams. Can either squad overcome their previous issues and can anyone take a firm lead over the other? These are the questions and answers for Sunday’s game.

Keep it tuned here for the up-to-the-date score and instant analysis of each scoring drive as they happen so you know what went down beyond the scoreboard.

Instant analysis of Ronnie Stanley’s extension with Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens made a wise investment in their current and future, inking left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a massive contract extension.

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The Baltimore Ravens continue to keep their best players, signing left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a five-year contract extension. While the cost is certainly high, paying him $98.75 million in new money over five years, it’s money well spent.

Stanley had a spectacular 2019 season that put him on par with Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Ravens tackle Jonathan Ogden. Stanley allowed no sacks in the regular season and only six quarterback pressures, the fewest Pro Football Focus had recorded, beating Ogden’s impressive stat line from 2006. It wasn’t just a one-year fluke either. Stanley has cemented his status as one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL with outstanding play yet again this season. According to PFF, Stanley has allowed no sacks in 2020 and has an overall grade of 81.5, which ranks ninth in the league currently.

But Stanley means more to the Ravens than just what he’s done on the field. With the loss of right guard Marshal Yanda this offseason, Stanley has taken on the role of being the de facto leader of the offensive line and even the offense itself at times. While quiet in demeanor, Stanley helps set the tone for Baltimore — a role he was excited to take on this season following Yanda’s retirement.

Though it cost the Ravens a pretty penny to keep Stanley, it’s a wise investment that means more than just one player. At some point, Baltimore is going to have to pay quarterback Lamar Jackson — likely a record-setting contract or at least close to one. Protecting that investment in Jackson by keeping him upright and healthy is a necessity if the Ravens want to get back to another Super Bowl and there’s no better protection than Stanley manning the left edge of the offensive line.

While it’s easy to say Baltimore didn’t really have much of a choice here, the Ravens weren’t careless with their money either. It would have been easy for Baltimore to hand Stanley a record-breaking contract of his own this offseason to potentially lower his 2020 salary-cap hit and ensure he stuck around. But the Ravens’ patience clearly paid off with Stanley’s deal falling below the average value the Houston Texans paid left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

Despite being a better tackle than Tunsil, Stanley is getting paid quite a bit less. Tunsil currently has the top deal, earning an average of $22 million per year with Stanley’s $19.75 million per year value falling well short. Even the guaranteed money is better, with Tunsil getting $40 million of his $66 million deal guaranteed ($13.3 million per year average) while Stanley has $58 million of his $98.75 million contract guaranteed ($11.6 million per year average).

It’s a deal that makes both sides happy. The Ravens get a bit of a value by inking Stanley to a long-term deal and a chance to structure the contract to be more cap-friendly where needed. Meanwhile, Stanley gets a ridiculous sum of money, including quite a lot up front, and a chance to get a second big contract early in his 30s. It’s great news and something Ravens fans should be pumped about.

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Instant analysis of Bears’ 20-19 win vs. the Bucs in Week 5

It was another ugly start, but the Bears outlasted the Bucs to improve to 4-1 on the season.

It started to look ugly for the Chicago Bears as they trailed 13-0 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half. But all of a sudden, the Bears got hot and scored 14 unanswered points to end the first half. They carried that momentum over into the fourth quarter, where they were able to outlast the Bucs for a 20-19 win to improve to 4-1 on the season for the first time since 2012.

The first half looked like the Bears were feeling good, confident and had all the momentum, but to start the second half the Bears went three and out. The Buccaneers would capitalize and take a 16-14 lead. Heading into this matchup the Bears haven’t scored any points in the third quarter and it will stay that way for another week.

The Bears get most of their points in the fourth quarter and they opened that up with a 47-yard field goal from Cairos Santos to take a 17-16 lead. The Buccaneers would drive down the field on the next possession and settled for three points for a 19-17 lead.

Down by two, the Bears got the ball back with 4:49 remaining in the game, but couldn’t do anything as they punted the ball to Brady with 2:48 left. The Bears defense would stand tall and force a three and out.

The Bears would get the ball near midfield with 2:21 and the Bears have to be careful – you need three points to win, but you don’t want to give Brady the ball back with time on the lock.

The Buccaneers defense was able to force a third down, but the Bears were able to convert for a first down on a 10-yard reception from Darnell Mooney. The Bears would connect on a 38-yard field goal to take a 20-19 lead, but would leave 1:13 for Brady.

The future first ballot Hall-of-Famer got to work. On the first play Brady was able to connect with Mike Evans for the first down, but that was the only time the Bucs would be able to move the chains. The Bears defense held up and forced a turnover on downs as Brady seemed to be confused rather if it was third or fourth down.

It was a big day for Khalil Mack as he bullied the Buccaneers offensive line. Mack totaled three QB hits, three tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and a pass deflection. The Bears defense caused frustration for Brady as he finished 25-for-41 for 253 yards and one touchdown.

Nick Foles was a bit better than Brady tonight as he finished 30-for-44 for 243 yards with one touchdown, one interception and the game winning drive. The Bears were able to score their first rushing touchdown of the year as David Montgomery found the end-zone in the second quarter.

After a tough loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Bears bounce back and have a long break until they face the Carolina Panthers in Week 6.

Instant Analysis: How Aldon Smith fits Cowboys, what his role might be

Aldon Smith is now officially back. After being reinstated, as was clearly expected when Dallas signed him, he’s ready to go for the beginning of virtual OTAs. The question is how will it all work. We cover it all from the weight gain to the wait-and-see.

When Aldon Smith was first signed to the Dallas Cowboys, the initial reaction from most observers was one of shock, as he had completely fallen off the radar for most fans. Rotoworld listed 54 different edge rushers in their annual free agency tracker, and Smith was nowhere to be found for good reason. Smith hasn’t been part of a team since the 2018 and hasn’t appeared in a game since 2015, so it’s no wonder that most felt his career had gone the way of other self-destructive cases of similar nature.

Smith battled demons that included alcohol abuse and drugs, and dealt with a series of arrests and subsequent suspensions that saw what was once one of the most promising careers in the NFL spiral out of control. However on April 1, 2020, the Cowboys signed Smith to a one-year low-risk deal, as it was reported he had spent the last several years being rehabilitated. On May 9 it was revealed he had met with commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss his reinstatement and 11 days later it has become a reality; Smith is back.

So what does it all mean for the Cowboys? Here’s a look at several interest points to ponder about how Smith could impact the Cowboys and factors that will go into whether he becomes one himself.

Years Off From the Game

The time away from football is clearly going to be the biggest factor in what, if any at all, Smith can contribute to the 2020 Dallas Cowboys. Regardless of his being in a good mental space and renewed physical condition (more on that in a second), football is not normally a sport that is kind to men who get out of football shape, even for just one season. For four? That’s going to be a tall task for Smith.

That absence from the game is further amplified by the fact that he isn’t able to work directly with the Cowboys strength and conditioning team. In a normal year, Smith would right now be working directly with Markus Paul and his staff at The Star, trying to on a full diet of a football regiment. But with the stay-at-home orders in place around the country – even though they are lifted in Texas – players are not allowed back at the team facility.

Without the pandemic, Smith would certainly be working with top-flight trainers with NFL experience, but most players interviewed during the last few months have spoken about having to go out to Walmart and buy their own weight sets. With four years of inactivity and a truncated offseason, it has to be a concern whether or not Smith can be a contributing factor through the first phases of the 2020 season.

Continue…

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Instant Analysis: Falcons add depth by trading for DE Charles Harris

The Falcons now have two former first-round picks with a lot to prove competing for the job opposite Dante Folwer.

The Atlanta Falcons added another former first-round pick to their roster on Friday morning, trading a 2021 seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for defensive end Charles Harris.

Harris, like current Falcons DE Takk McKinley, was selected in 2017 and hasn’t lived up to that first-round status as of yet. In three seasons with the Dolphins, Harris has only started eight games and recorded just 3.5 sacks.

Miami’s defense requires a little more technique from its ends, which Harris just hasn’t developed. While he thrived in Missouri’s attacking-style defense, it hasn’t came together during his three seasons with the Dolphins.

So why trade for Harris?

A seventh-round pick isn’t much to give up for a player that Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff was rumored to be interested in back in 2017. Harris is only 25 years old and coming to Atlanta means he’s not likely to have his fifth-year option picked up.

Knowing that, this essentially becomes a contract year for Harris. Unless he turns things around, there won’t be much free-agent interest in him in 2021. Money can he quite the motivator, though, and sometimes a change of scenery can be just what a frustrated, struggling player needs.

Harris is considered to be a better fit in the Falcons’ attacking-style defense. The Dolphins haven’t exactly been a model of NFL consistency over the past three seasons, either.

Without the expectations that Harris had as first-round pick in Miami, he can just go out there and play. In a rotational role likely backing up McKinley, Harris is a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.

The Falcons now have two fourth-year defensive ends with a lot to prove competing for the job opposite Dante Folwer. It could potentially bring out the best in both players and if not, the team can let both walk in free agency and try again next year.

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Instant Analysis: Falcons get punter Sterling Hofrichter

The Falcons drafted a punter named Sterling Hofrichter out of Syracuse instead of going with an actual football player in the seventh round.

The Falcons cut Sam Irwin-Hill the morning before the third day of the draft because they felt they could get the punter they coveted. It turns out that guy is Sterling Hofrichter out of Syracuse. He has a booming leg and gets a ton of hang time.

It’s a bit surprising Atlanta went with a punter over another position, but the team must feel confident in the roster competition that they have right now for those key roles. Since he’s a punter, he’ll likely also have to be the holder and will compete with Younghoe Koo for the kickoff specialist.

Why Sterling Hofrichter instead of RB Darius Anderson or WR Kalija Lipscomb?

This is the head scratching move for me. The Falcons had some need for depth at running back and wide receiver and decided to go with a punter. Darius Anderson could have been a good move for competition at running back while Kalija Lipscomb would have been a smart move for depth at wide receiver.

Maybe they are banking on getting talent at the same level of these two guys in undrafted free agency. But it’s always going to feel a bit odd to see a punter taken during the NFL draft—even in the 7th round.

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Instant analysis of Ravens drafting Iowa S Geno Stone in 7th round

The Ravens get a productive safety in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft in Iowa’s Geno Stone. He’ll be a depth player with some upside

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The Ravens waited until the seventh and final round of the 2020 NFL Draft to add a piece to their already deep secondary. They bring in Iowa safety Geno Stone with pick No. 219, who was the 2nd-team All-Big 10 in 2019.

Stone plays with incredible instincts and has a nose for the ball, as evidenced by his eight turnovers over his last two seasons. He also has the strength needed to cover receivers and tight ends over the middle and keep them from running a flawless route. Stone isn’t afraid to come up in run support, as he doesn’t wait to make a run to the ball carrier.

Stone lacks the speed and height to truly be a ball-hawking safety in the NFL, running a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. His lateral quickness is a problem as well, showing up mostly when he gets beat in the red zone. His height and inability to adequately high point a jump ball means that he could get feasted on by the superb competition in the NFL if used in more direct coverage.

As a hybrid deep and box safety, Stone could be an intriguing depth option with some upside for Baltimore. The Ravens don’t need someone great at safety, but they do need depth behind Earl Thomas and Chuck Clark, which they get in Stone.

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Instant analysis of Ravens 6th-round WR James Proche

The Ravens have doubled up on yet another position in the 2020 NFL Draft: wide receiver James Proche.

The Ravens have doubled up on yet another position in the 2020 NFL Draft, taking wide receiver James Proche in the sixth round. After taking the productive Devin Duvernay in the 3rd round, Baltimore selected another prolific 5-foot-11 200-pound wide receiver who can be a burner and is strong after the catch.

Proche played all 13 games for SMU in 2019, tallying 111 receptions (tied for the national lead), 1,225 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns.

Proche has unnatural ball skills, especially when tracking deep passes and he can win at the point of attack with strong hands. He also commands attention when lined up to the outside, as he saw a lot of stacked coverage in college. Proche excels in fluidly catching back-shoulder passes while keeping enough room between himself and the sideline. Proche also has the speed and sureness of hands to command respect as a punt or kick returner, which is a big need for Baltimore.

Proche only had four games where he managed to top 100 or more receiving yards even though he had 111 receptions. His routes tend to be a little more rounded which opens them up to cornerbacks jumping them for interceptions. He also takes too many unnecessary steps during some routes which hurts his speed and effectiveness there. With limited length, Proche can also have some issues against press coverage which will limit his ability to go deep at times.

However, a lot of his negatives can be coached up. And when looking at his film or the stat sheet, you can’t help but see that he gets the job done regardless. Proche can play both inside and outside but might get more time in the slot in Baltimore.

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Instant analysis of Ravens selecting Texas Tech DT Broderick Washington

The Ravens have taken their second defensive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft, adding another big body to a crowded defensive line room.

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The Ravens have used the 170th pick to select their second defensive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft, taking Texas Tech’s Broderick Washington Jr. The selection adds another big body to their already frightening rotation of defensive linemen.

A little undersized for a typical defensive tackle, Washington gets the job done as a run-stuffing interior defensive lineman. Washington utilized his great strength and a bulldog mentality that matches the mean streaks of his opposition to disrupt offensive game plans. He’s a leader, earning team-captain status at Texas Tech.

After looking at some of his plays, he reminds me a bit of Ravens defensive tackle Brandon Williams. He relies primarily on brute force to make his way into the backfield. Washington is a little stiff and inconsistent in both shedding blocks and leverage, which limits his ability to get upfield as a pass rusher.

As a fifth-round pick, it should be pretty obvious that Washington is a developmental depth option. He does some things well and he could polish up into a rotational piece but in a crowded defensive line group, it’ll be difficult seeing him get much playing time early on.

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Instant analysis of Ravens’ 4th-round pick Michigan G Ben Bredeson

The Ravens now have taken two consecutive guards in the NFL Draft with the selection of Ben Bredeson out of Michigan.

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The Ravens now have taken two consecutive guards in the 2020 NFL Draft with the selection of Ben Bredeson out of Michigan in the fourth round.

Bredeson, at 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds, is an absolute bulldozer off the ball in the run game and we considered him to be the top guard in the fourth round for the Ravens. The four-year starter at Michigan was a team captain and started all 13 games at left guard as well as winning 3rd-team AP All-American and first-team All-Conference.

Bredeson’s technique is highly lauded by analysts, showing polish in both power and RPO systems. He’s able to stun defenders across from him with strong punches while blocking and has fluid enough hips to change direction in the case of twists. He maintains exceptional balance in both areas of his game and creates a ton of leverage while blocking. He’s a leader on the field and is someone who lets his play do the talking.

He isn’t that fast, though, and pulling is not his fortė. He still moves at a relative college speed, so the transition to the NFL could be tough and a little slower for him.

It’s also worth a note that Jim Harbaugh, John’s brother, is the head coach at Michigan.

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