Quarterbacks: It’s amazing how well Joe Flacco plays when he isn’t running for his life and has some weapons to work with in the passing game. Flacco played arguably the best game of his career and certainly his top effort ever against the Steelers. He made every throw and got his revenge for all of the offseason shots the Steelers took at him. Grade: A+
Running backs: Ray Rice was both quick and physical, ripping off huge chunks of yards in the running game and being a serious weapon as a receiver. Now that defense can’t focus on him alone, he will have more opportunities to make big plays. Ricky Williams had a few nice runs, and Vonta Leach caught a few passes and delivered some huge blocks. Grade: A+
Wide Receivers: Anquan Boldin had a solid game, finishing as the only wideout to catch a pass. Tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta overwhelmed Pittsburgh’s linebackers, and maybe now fans can understand why the Ravens cut Todd Heap. Lee Evans was quiet, as he and Flacco did not appear to be on the same page. Grade: B+
Offensive line: It wouldn’t have been a surprise if this became a near dominant group toward the middle of the season, but in the first game against Pittsburgh after not playing together at all in the preseason? Bryant McKinnie was a total monster on the left side, and Michael Oher proved yet again that he is a true right tackle. This group opened up huge running lanes and gave Flacco all the time in the world. Grade: A+
Defensive line: Can the Ravens just pay Haloti Ngata already? He forced a fumble and recovered two, batted a pass that resulted in an interception and was just a total disruption along the line. Terrell Suggs was a monster, forcing a fumble and coming up with three sacks. He is a Steelers killer. Pernell McPhee played well in limited action. He could be a good one. Grade: A
Linebackers: It was just another day at the office for Ray Lewis, who forced a fumble and came up with another interception. Jarret Johnson delivered one of the blows of the day, taking out Hines Ward to the delight of 70,000 and his teammates. Grade: B+
Secondary: Ed Reed showed once again who is the best safety in the NFL, intercepting two passes and smashing Ward to the ground on another play. Considering the Ravens lost three cornerbacks to injury during the course of the game, you had to love what you saw from this group. Cary Williams appears to be the real deal, and it was good to see him return after leaving with an injury. Lardarius Webb gave up some receptions, but was very aggressive when coming up to make a tackle. Domonique Foxworth looked really bad in limited action, but at least he had a chance to get some reps in a live game. Grade: A
Special teams: The Ravens might really want to think about handing over the return duties to LaQuan Williams. Lardarius Webb looked really shaky back there, and you don’t want to risk an injury to one of the team’s regular cornerbacks. Billy Cundiff had a solid day despite terrible kickoff coverage by the Ravens, while Sam Koch seemed a bit rusty. Grade: C
Coaches: The Ravens had just two questionable calls/decisions in the game: The three-man rush when the defense gave up the only score of the game (when will they learn?) and going for it on fourth down when a field goal would have put them up four scores. Overall, Chuck Pagano’s aggressiveness was night and day from Greg Mattison’s bland schemes. Cam Cameron was terrific, and John Harbaugh really had his team ready to play. Grade: A+
