Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers: Position by Position Grades

Running Backs

Sep 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back

(30) runs with the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

After Bernard Pierce fumbled towards the end of the second quarter in last week’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, he failed to see the field again the rest of that game. Instead, it was veteran Justin Forsett leading the charge, rushing for 70 yards on 11 carries. However, all that performance did was up Pierce’s carries and lower Forsett’s.

Bernard Pierce participated in this game from start to finish unlike last week. He carried the ball 22 times and totaled 96 yards on the ground (4.4 yards-per-carry), which were much better numbers than last week. Forsett carried the ball just eight times, but once again took advantage of his minimal opportunities, accumulating 56 yards (seven yards-per-carry). I think the Ravens have learned their lesson by now or at least should have, don’t you?

The one concern in this game came when the Ravens got down to the goal-line. They had three opportunities inside the five-yard-line that they failed to convert. The main reason was because instead of putting rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro in the game and letting him pound it in, they stuck with Pierce. For future reference the Ravens must feature a bigger package once they get down that far.

Grade: B-