In tonight's showdown between the Steelers and Ravens, one subplot to watch is the left side of Baltimore’s O-line versus the Steelers' pass-rush from the right.
With normal left tackle Eugene Monroe still out, backup James Hurst will start his third straight game. Things haven’t been pretty for Hurst through Week 3, as his -23.4 overall grade is last among all tackles.
Hurst is mainly done in by his -17.6 pass block grade, a figure that is more than double that of the second-worst left tackle. Hurst and Denver’s Ty Sambrailo are the only LTs who have allowed four QB hits this season. Hurst’s 16 QB hurries allowed leads all tackles, and as a result, his 87.1 pass block efficiency (PBE) is second-worst amongst tackles that have played at least 50 percent of their team's snaps.
Looking at his numbers from last season, Monroe only allowed 14 QB hurries and had a 95.5 PBE. It should be noted that while Monroe finished last year with a -12.9 overall grade in eleven games, Hurst eclipsed that after Week 2.
However, Hurst may not be under as much pressure tonight, as the Steelers only have 12 total pressures and zero sacks from their right OLBs. For Pittsburgh, James Harrison has done the most damage from the right side, but only has three QB hits and six hurries. With a non-existent pass-rush from the blindside, Ravens QB Joe Flacco has a great opportunity rack up some yardage with limited defensive pressure.
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