Grades: Steelers' defense vs Ravens
Defensive Line
Stephon Tuitt
Stephon Tuitt and the entire Steelers' defensive line played well against the Ravens. Stuffing the run was their primary concern heading into the week, and they did that.
Mark Ingram's 44 yards on 19 carries was a testament to how the Steelers forced Baltimore to win through Lamar Jackson. While Jackson was able to pull off some impressive plays, the defensive line held him in check for most of the second half.
Tuitt's 8 tackles certainly helped this performance. The defensive end played a vital role in Pittsburgh's efforts to shut down one of the NFL's most explosive offenses.
Grade: B+
Cameron Heyward
Heyward got to Jackson twice during the Steelers' 26-23 loss on Sunday. He only recorded one sack, but putting pressure on Jackson was a major contributor to the team's defensive success.
The front seven were nearly unstoppable in both run and pass pressure. Heyward was a major role in this, clogging up the left side, and forcing Jackson to make plays from the middle.
It's hard to knock anyone on this defense, especially on the line. Heyward was another key factor in Pittsburgh's strong defensive performance in Week 5.
Grade: B+
Javon Hargrave
Watching Javon Hargrave sack Lamar Jackson got everyone on their feet. The big man in the middle clogged up the running lanes all afternoon, and when his time to shine came, he took it.
Hargrave's performance through five games is one to be impressed by, but this was his best week of the season. He didn't put up a huge stat line, but he did what he was needed to do - stop the Ravens' stars.
The big man was a significant reason why this defense was so dominant in the second half.
Grade: B+
Outside Linebackers
T.J. Watt
Outside of getting stiff armed by Lamar Jackson, T.J. Watt was all over the Ravens' quarterback. Even if he only recorded one sack, Watt forced Jackson to move into other defenders time and time again.
The pressure off the right side came every time Jackson dropped back to pass. This allowed Bud Dupree and the interior linemen to get their hands on Jackson and force poor decisions, or lead to a sack.
Watt is quickly becoming impossible to handle for any tackle, and that was no different on Sunday. He may have been the Steelers' best member of the front seven in Week 5.
Grade: A
Bud Dupree
Where was Bud Dupree the last four years? The player we've seen the last two weeks hasn't been the same outside linebacker that's been in Pittsburgh since 2015. His pressure on Jackson was constant, and he seemed to find the ball whenever it was on the left side of the field.
Dupree and Watt are turning into the unstoppable duo Pittsburgh has been waiting for. It's a contract year for Dupree, and having games like this against Baltimore will certainly stand out come contract negotiations.
Looking at his Week 5 performance, Dupree did everything he was supposed to, and some. It's not easy to keep an eye on Jackson, and although he left some QB runs by him, he kept him contained for the most part.
Grade: B+
Inside Linebackers
Mark Barron
At what point does Mike Tomlin and Keith Butler look at the play of Mark Barron and ask if he's even trying? Yes, he recorded a game-sealing interception against the Bengals, but outside of that, he's done nothing impressive.
That continued in Week 5. The play of Barron always seems a step behind, and when his man catches the ball, he doesn't even look interested in tackling him - highlighted by his lack of effort in chasing down Mark Andrews on this play:
The defense actually played better after Barron left for the sideline. Devin Bush is proving to be able to cover over the middle, and Kameron Kelly usually fills in on third downs. Unless Barron's effort increases, he's a liability, and proved to be one again against Baltimore.
Grade: D
Vince Williams
In his first game back since injuring his hamstring, Vince Williams made his presence known. The inside linebacker combined for 9 tackles and a sack, setting the pace for the Steelers' defense from the start.
His rush up the middle kept Lamar Jackson on his toes, and when he finally got to him, the entire stadium roared in a welcome back cheer for No. 98.
Williams returned at the perfect time, as the Steelers were trying to stop Baltimore's running game. He was a major contributor in that, as Pittsburgh was able to hold Ingram to only 44 yards.
Grade: A
Devin Bush
The rookie linebacker has to be in the early running for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Devin Bush put on a show for the second consecutive week, stopping Ingram at the line a number of times, and highlighting his play with an incredible interception.
Bush has become the spark for this defense, and when he's making plays, they usually are too. His game on Sunday was as well-rounded as they come, and when they needed a momentum swing, he found it.
Grade: A
Cornerbacks
Joe Haden
Games when Joe Haden's name isn't called much are good games. At this point, NFL quarterbacks respect the play of the cornerback too much to throw his way often. So, as long as he continues to shut down receivers, he won't get too much attention week-to-week.
Haden did give up a touchdown to Marquise Brown on a play he fell about two steps behind the receiver on. If he was able to jump the route better, he could've gotten over the top of Brown to bat the ball down.
Outside of that, though, Haden played well against the Ravens' receivers. Willie Snead found a reception against him, but there wasn't much work being down on Haden's side of the field.
Grade: B
Steven Nelson
Whoever said Steven Nelson wasn't good in Kansas City was wrong. The cornerback has played remarkably well through five games, and continues to deal with some of the opponent's top receivers. Yet, time and time again, he's shutting people down.
You can't remember a big play Nelson let up against the Ravens because there were none. He was as solid as they come, and at some point, it felt like Jackson was only looking over the middle of the field for players to throw to.
Nelson shuts down almost anyone on a week-to-week basis, and di it again in Week 5.
Grade: B+
Mike Hilton
It's hard to decide if Mike Hilton's interception or ability to tackle Mark Ingram in the backfield were more impressive. Either way, the nickelback was a force to be wrecking with in Week 5.
While Hilton still finds himself a step slow in coverage once in awhile, he's able to make up for that with superb tackling ability and instinct to time the snap.
Hilton was able to find Ingram a few times in Week 5, and never needed help brining him down. That's impressive for a 5'9, 185-pound corner, but Hilton has never played to his size.
Week 5 was a great week for Hilton, who's found plenty of success through the Steelers' AFC North matchups.
Grade: B+
Safeties
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Minkah Fitzpatrick is worth whatever first-round pick the Steelers handed the Dolphins. Even if it ends up being a top 10 selection, Fitzpatrick has shown enough through three games to be fine with the trade.
Week 5 was no different. Fitzpatrick recorded seven tackles and basically handed Kameron Kelly his first career interception. There wasn't a moment when you felt Fitzpatrick was out of place of got beat on the ball. Instead, he was all over the field, creating havoc for receivers over the middle.
No one wants to throw his way, including Lamar Jackson. Fitzpatrick showed the second-year quarterback that he's not someone to take a chance on, and when Jackson did, Fitzpatrick sent the ball back to Pittsburgh.
Grade: A
Terrell Edmunds
There's still questions about Terrell Edmunds, but since the trade for Fitzpatrick, the second-year safety has played better. Against the Ravens, there wasn't a moment that stood out to define Edmunds' . day. That's both a good and a bad thing.
It'd be nice to see Edmunds make a play that impacts the outcome of a game in a positive manner, but for right now, nothing is better than giving up a touchdown deep, or blowing coverage over the middle.
Edmunds was pretty quiet in Week 5, which is something to build off of. But it still wasn't the performance the Steelers needed from him.
Grade: C+
