Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers: What We Learned

Nov 2, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks to pass under pressure from Baltimore Ravens linebacker Pernell McPhee (90) during the first half of the game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 43-23. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens need a bye week

The health of this team is a huge problem right now. Certainly, the Ravens are happy to have another game before the bye week, as two weeks to dwell on their most recent loss might be too much to bear. Hosting the Tennessee Titans should (in theory) provide the Ravens a relatively easy win which should provide some good feelings heading into the bye.

From there, though, the Ravens need to get healthy. As previously mentioned, Eugene Monroe and Kelechi Osemele need to continue to heal and get back to game speed.

Jimmy Smith is an obvious beneficiary of the bye week. He could be ready to play coming off the bye, which would be a huge boost for a secondary that sorely needs some good news, not to mention some good players.

Finally, a team wide issue is that the team looks a little beat up. Guys don’t have the spring in their step that they had earlier in the season. Pass rushers are less explosive off the edge, receivers aren’t as quick out of their cuts and so forth. A week to rest would help this team look fresher and more explosive.

I don’t want to look past the Titans, but it’s hard not to when this team needs health more than anything else.