Getty Ravens LB Patrick Queen makes a leaping interception against the Steelers on December 11, 2022.
With quarterback Lamar Jacksonout with a knee sprain, the Baltimore Ravens defense knew it was going to have to pull more weight than usual in the Ravens’ 16-14 road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14.
Inside linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen helped lead the charge by making two of the biggest plays of the game. Each player forced a drive-ending turnover in the second quarter. After the game, Smith proclaimed himself and Queen the best tandem in the league.
“I don’t think that’s a question. I think we are, by far,” Smith said in a postgame interview. “We’re already there, but give us a little bit more. We’ll put the whole league on notice.”
“I don’t think that’s a question. I think we are.”
Roquan Smith says himself and @Patrickqueen_ are the best LB duo in the league 🔥 #ProBowlVote
Smith, a two-time All-Pro playing in his first Ravens-Steelers game, didn’t waste time making his presence felt, sacking quarterback Kenny Pickett on the Steelers’ first drive. It was actually Queen who generated the initial pressure on a designed blitz but after Pickett escaped, it was Smith who came crashing in from the second level to finish the play. The ultimately knocked Pickett out of the game with a concussion.
BRINGING THE PRESSURE!!
@Patrickqueen_ brings the heat and Roquan finishes the job for the SACK!!
Tune in on CBS.
In the second quarter, Smith intercepted backup QB Mitchell Trubisky, returned the ball 19 yards. The interception ended a red-zone threat.
ROQUAN SMITH INTERCEPTION!!!!
Tune in on CBS!!
Not to be outdone, Queen intercepted Trubisky on the Steelers’ next drive. With 26 seconds left in the first half, the Steelers were on Ravens’ 23-yard line when Queen’s interception helped secure Baltimore’s 13-7 halftime lead.
INTERCEPTION @Patrickqueen_!!! BEST LINEBACKERS IN THE GAME!!
#PROBOWLVOTE | 📺: CBS
“You can never talk about Pat Queen’s hands again,” head coach John Harbaugh said in his postgame press conference. “Actually, he made that demand in the locker room afterwards. So, that won’t be allowed in the future. Those were great interceptions by him and Roquan.”
Since the Ravens acquired Smith from the Chicago Bears at the midseason trade deadline, the defense has been among the best units in the league, allowing 13.6 points per game over the last five games.
Since acquiring Roquan Smith, Baltimore’s defense has allowed:
13
3
28
10
14
Four of five opponents to 14 or less 🤯
13.6 per game
Can Ravens Afford to Keep Both of Them?
Of course, the Ravens would love to have Queen and Smith as the centerpiece of their defense for years to come. But their long-term future together as running mates is uncertain because Smith will become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Because Jackson will become a free agent as well, there will be a question about whether the Ravens can afford to keep both players. If Baltimore fails to iron out an extension with Jackson, they could use the franchise tag on him, but expectations are that the non-exclusive franchise tag on a quarterback could approach $45 million a year, according to CBS News Baltimore.
As far as Smith, it wouldn’t be surprising if general manager Eric DeCosta signs him to the sort of I’ve-seen-enough-let’s-pay-this-man deal he gave cornerback Marcus Peters in 2019. According to Forbes’ Phil Rogers, Smith will want a contract that exceeds the five-year, $98.5 million deal Shaquille Leonard signed with the Indianapolis Colts before the 2021 season.
Queen, a first-round pick in 2020, is under team control for up to two more years.
Marcus Williams Makes Splash in Return to Lineup
Third-year running back J.K. Dobbins wasn’t the only starter who made an impressive return to the lineup after missing six games with an injury. Safety Marcus Williams also was officially activated from injured reserve.
He showed that he didn’t lose any of his range or ball skills after dislocating his wrist in Week 5, hauling in the Ravens’ third interception of the game in the third quarter.
It was the 19th interception of his career and his fourth in six games as a Raven. He finished with three total tackles, including a pair of solos, and he recorded a pass breakup.