Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken has grown tired of watching turnovers against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That showed in Monken's words and actions on Thursday. Mordan Adsit of Baltimore's FOX45 captured Monken running from the opposite side of the field during practice to join a ball security drill, demonstrating how he wanted it done.
The Ravens committed three turnovers in Pittsburgh during their loss earlier this season, continuing a trend that has gotten under Monken's skin.
"I've been here for three games (vs. Pittsburgh) and we've turned it over eight times," Monken said. "We've fumbled it seven times. If that doesn't tell you it's a priority, I don't know what is."
The Steelers lead the league this season with 30 takeaways – 15 interceptions and a league-high 15 fumble recoveries. Derrick Henry fumbled on Baltimore's first possession in Pittsburgh this season, and Isaiah Likely had the ball stripped by former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen before halftime.
The Steelers are intentional about forcing turnovers and are adept at it. A turnover-free game on Saturday is one of the Ravens' goals and could unlock a key to victory.
"Last game [against Pittsburgh], we had penalties and turnovers," Monken said. "You're not going to win when you do that, I don't care who you're playing. So, we've got to be a lot better, a lot cleaner than that. It doesn't matter who you play, let alone a really good football team like this who has a really good defense. We've got to play cleaner."
Ravens Are Preparing to Face T.J. Watt
Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt is dealing with an ankle injury, but he returned to limited participation Wednesday, which seems to put him on track to play Saturday.
Watt has the third-most sacks in the league (11.5) and has 17 in 15 career games against the Ravens, as well as four forced fumbles.
Asked how Watt's questionable injury status affects his plans, Monken said he's assuming Watt will play.
"It's much easier if he doesn't," Monken said with a grin. "So, you react when he doesn't, as opposed to assuming he won't. We'll expect him to play, and I'm sure he will."
Ravens rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten fared well in pass protection against Watt in their first battle this season. Watt had one sack, but that was on the sideline as Jackson couldn't find an open receiver and basically stepped out of bounds.
"I think any time you go against a guy that you haven't gone against before, there's going to be a little uncertainty, but I think we both kind of have a feel for each other and it's going to be another good matchup," Rosengarten said.
Monken Is Preparing for Steelers' Heavy Blitz
As a team, the Steelers have blitzed 25.9% of their defensive snaps, the 19th-highest rate in the league, per Next Gen Stats.
Against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in their Week 11 meeting, however, they blitzed 45.7% of the time, including at a high rate on first and second down to try to slow down Derrick Henry in the backfield.
Part of the reason why Lamar Jackson's lowest career quarterback rating is versus the Steelers (66.7) is because they've done a good job making him feel the heat. Jackson was under pressure 42.9% of his dropbacks in the first meeting between the two teams, sacked twice, and hit six times.
Monken said the Ravens haven't seen as much blitzing in recent weeks, but he knows it's coming from the Steelers.
"You know they are going to bring pressure. They're going to force the issue," Monken said. "They've done that before, and when we've executed, we've been fine. So, obviously, it's protecting [the football], being able to run the ball get [and] our IDs right and then be able to get the ball out on time."
Why the Ravens Don't Often Shadow Receivers
There's no question who the Steelers' leading wide receiver is this season. George Pickens has 850 receiving yards despite missing two games, which is nearly 400 more yards than any other Steelers wide receiver.
It remains to be seen whether Pickens, who hasn't practiced yet this week due to a hamstring injury, will play on Saturday. He did some light individual work Wednesday.
If Pickens doesn't play, it's a big hit to the Steelers' offense.
If Pickens does play, it's the sort of scenario that could call for a shadow. But that's not how the Ravens traditionally operate, and Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr explained why.
"I think there's times when you can travel a guy and match a guy," Orr said. "But there's an average of 60-some plays and there's a lot that goes into it when you travel a guy. … That affects everybody else. Everybody has to learn safety, nickel, corner, and all the different coverages and all the different checks.
"We have confidence in our guys. We feel like when it's a critical situation and we need to take guys away, we have enough in our repertoire to take guys away and make sure they don't wreck the game."
