The lack of healthy blockers in last night's game versus the Steelers came back to haunt the Ravens.
On the first offensive play of the game, Joe Flacco throws a pass to the right-middle of the field for Todd Heap. Heap didn't catch the pass but caught a pulled hamstring, making him absent from the rest of the game.
Heap is an unheralded all-around tight end who is a receiving threat but can also anchor either side of the end of the offensive line to block so losing him crippled the Ravens' quality of blocking.
Although initially questionable, Leron McClain was ruled out before kickoff due to the ankle he sprained against Tampa Bay the previous week. Michael Oher did not practice during the week but still started at the left tackle position, a decision that proved to be somewhat of a detriment to the Ravens.
The Steelers attacked the left side of the offensive line periodically during the game with success. The game's most obvious turning point came as a Troy Polamalu sack and forced fumble. Polamalu lined up opposite Oher, once the ball was snapped he came untouched ready to knock the ball out of Flacco's hands -- leading to Lamar Woodley recovering the loose ball and returning it to Baltimore's 10 yard line.
Ed Dickson was the next man up on the depth chart but just couldn't replicate the pass protection Heap and McClain produce. As a result, Flacco was under constant pressure applied by the Steelers' blitzing.
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