When Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco connected with wide receiver Torrey Smith for a 35 yard touchdown pass with 9:47 left in the first quarter Sunday night, it appeared as though the Pittsburgh Steelers defense was well on their way to allowing several explosive more plays in the game.
That didn’t wind up being the case, however, as the Ravens only managed to gain more than 20 yards on a single play just once more for the remainder of the game.
The Steelers defense entered the game against the Ravens having already surrendered 40 explosive plays on the season and the two allowed Sunday tied their season low in a single game.
Absent from the Steelers defense this week was cornerback Cortez Allen and judging by the results of him being benched as the third cornerback in favor of Antwon Blake, he isn’t likely to find himself back on the field barring injuries anytime soon.
Blake played 35 snaps in the Steelers nickel defense Sunday night and only allowed three catches for 23 yards in the seven times he was targeted.
If the Steelers defense can continue to limit explosive plays like they did Sunday night against the Ravens, it will go a long way in helping the team continue to stack wins.
Next up for the Steelers are the New York Jets, who have only managed to register 23 explosive plays on offense in their first eight games of the season.
