Jags pull wings off the Ravens - a road map to follow?

Great job by the Jaguars and their coaching staff in defeating the vaunted (and hated around here) Baltimore Ravens.  The energy and effort exhibited by Jacksonville was impressive, especially given their current record and doubtful playoff hopes.  That was professionalism even if it was ugly.  The Jags did what they could and did what they had to do to win the game.  How they did it is something the Steelers may choose to utilize - at least on the defensive side of the ball.

The Jaguars front four did a good job of applying pressure to Flacco throughout the game.  But it was the play of the defensive backs which really seemed to have the Ravens' offense stymied.  Each receiver was bumped and tightly trailed on every play.  No stop routes, quick curls or outs could be thrown without the threat of disruption of the timing or the ball.  The Jags seemed to believe that Joe Flacco could not beat them if the receivers were contunually pressed and the front 7 focused on stopping the run.

This proved correct down after down, and series after series.  The Ravens could not shake loose of the defender by the time Flacco wanted to get rid of the ball.  His internal clock was alarming to deliver the ball but no easy windows were open.  A number of long 'go' routes to Boldin were tried but none completed.  As time kept ticking by, the Ravens offense looked more and more uncomfortable as Jacksonville grew more confident and more physical on both sides of the ball.

It's hard to believe that Baltimore could not win a game that looked like two old punchers going after a winner-take-all prize at the end of a 15 round fight.  Jacksonville hit hard and often, continually challenging and re-challenging the Ravens to see who could throw the hardest punch.  The offensive play selection and artistry were not of this era but it was a football game nonetheless.  I have to mention that I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Ravens struggle to move the ball, while MJD and his pals kept slamming the ball into the LOS.

Given the Jags turnovers, you would have thought Baltimore wins that thing 24-3.  But the Ravens offense was going backwards more often than it went forward.  The Steelers and others may be taking a page from the Jags game plan when they meet Baltimore next.  Beat the Ravens at their own game - contest everything, give nothing, fight for every inch and repel every effort to advance on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, Pittsburgh has the QB and the weapons to move the ball against anyone.  The only limiting factor is the offensive line.  If the Steelers play tough, don't give the ball away and press the receivers as the Jags did, they can make Flacco beat them while under duress.  That is, no easy dump offs to Rice, no cushion for the outside receivers, no shallow crossing routes in open space.  Play man under, zone under and mix it up but keep the pressure at the LOS and make them work to gain separation.  Make Flacco throw the ball into a tight spot and challenge his nerve and accuracy.

Bully the bully.