Mink: We got a few questions about Brandon Stephens this week after he surrendered six catches for 74 yards on nine targets in the regular-season finale against the Browns, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). No other Raven was targeted more than four times.
First of all, I looked at the film of those catches, and not all of them are legit. For example, it's questionable that Stephens was at fault for the Browns' 21-yard strike on their first play to tight end Jordan Akins, who hit a seam between Malik Harrison, Kyle Hamilton, and Stephens in zone coverage.
Regardless, Stephens has been targeted a lot this season – the fifth-most among all cornerbacks in the NFL, per PFF. Opponents have caught 67.7% of those targets, which ranks as the 23rd highest rate in the league.
Here are some cornerbacks who have given up catches at a higher rate: Denver's Pat Surtain II (71.2%), Miami's Jalen Ramsey (71.9%), Philadelphia's Cooper DeJean (70.4%). Those three players have been widely praised this season.
Stephens has allowed 12.4 yards per reception, which ranks 27th in the NFL. Some cornerbacks allowing more are the Browns' Denzel Ward (a league-high 16.7), the Jets' Sauce Gardner (15.6), and even Ravens teammate Nate Wiggins (13.1).
Stephens continues to be in opponents' crosshairs and he keeps battling. I think he's a good player who is sticky and a strong tackler. He needs to keep working on getting his head around to make more plays on the ball, but that's the story for many corners. It's a tough job.
The Ravens gave Tre'Davious White a higher share of Stephens' snaps from Weeks 11-13 but flipped back since. Meanwhile, Wiggins played a season-high 92% of the snaps in the regular-season finale and is settling into a full-time role.
Could White get a slightly higher share of the snaps in the playoffs? Sure. But I don't think it will be anything drastic like we saw with the personnel changes at safety and inside linebacker.
Brown: That's an interesting idea, but I think it's a little premature.
The Ravens need to be locked in on the Steelers this week. I know Pittsburgh has lost four straight games, but the Ravens-Steelers rivalry often produces close games. It's dangerous to look ahead in the playoffs. You're always one loss away from packing your bags.
Trust me – the Ravens haven't forgotten about last year's AFC Championship game. They bring it up all the time, sometimes without even being asked. Lamar Jackson said Tuesday, "That's probably the one playoff game I think about."
However, the Ravens still need two more wins just to get back to the AFC Championship. If they make it that far, and their opponent is the Chiefs? Well, that might be the perfect week to adjust those TVs in the facility.
Mink: That was a magical night on Jan. 2, 2015 in Pittsburgh. As usual, it was a one-score game midway through the fourth quarter. That's when Terrell Suggs made a signature play, securing a tipped pass interception between his knees. On the very next play, Joe Flacco hit tight end Crockett Gillmore for a 21-yard touchdown and the Ravens stomped on the Steelers' throats for a 30-17 victory.
That's what it's going to take Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium. The Steelers are masters of making the game ugly, keeping it close, then hitting some variation of a big play late in the game – a Russell Wilson moon ball, a strip-sack by T.J. Watt, a special teams gaffe, or something else.
For the Ravens to win, they have to avoid being sucked into the Steelers' script. Protect the football, don't make mistakes. But even if it's a close game late, the Ravens need to relish the opportunity and have a killer instinct. The Ravens have the means with how dangerous Derrick Henry and the Ravens run game is, plus how the defense is playing.
Brown: All of them are important players.
If I can only pick one, I'll say Ronnie Stanley. He played every game for the first time during his nine-year career, and could have easily made the Pro Bowl after being named an alternate.
Stanley has returned to being one of the league's top left tackles, and at 30 years old, he's also been a leader on the offensive line. He has taken younger linemen such as Roger Rosengarten and Daniel Faalele under his wing and was often seen taking extra reps with them after practice.
Quality left tackles are extremely important and hard to come by. Stanley is close with many teammates, loves playing in Baltimore, and spending his entire career with the same organization may appeal to him. Re-signing Stanley could be a win-win for him and the Ravens this offseason.
