Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens preview
There’s really only one appropriate way to begin a Pittsburgh Steelers versus Baltimore Ravens game:
Unfortunately, the NFL probably has rules against that.
Anybody who has ever watched a Steelers/Ravens game knows that anytime these two teams get together, we are in for a heavyweight prize fight. No wimps need apply.
Things will be no different this year when the 3-0 Steelers face the 2-1 Ravens.
Contrary to current trends in the NFL which seem to indicate that offense wins championships (after all, it was Peyton Manning’s Colts that faced Drew Brees’ Saints in the last Super Bowl), these two teams still do it the old-fashioned way; with defense.
Each time the Steelers and Ravens face one another, it’s always a battle to determine which team has the best defense. This isn’t a new trend. It’s been going on for quite some time. Since 2000, the Steelers have been #1 in the NFL in total defense (280 yards allowed per game), while the Ravens are right behind them at #2 (283.6 YPG). The Ravens have the league’s top scoring defense during that span (17.0 points per game), while the Steelers are #2 at 17.3 points per game.
Get up. I dare you.
This year, both teams have a legitimate argument for being crowned top defense.
If you base your ranking on which team has allowed the fewest yards per game, the Ravens are #1 in the NFL. However, if you base your ranking on which team has allowed the fewest points per game, then the Steelers are #1 in the NFL.
If you look at which team is harder to pass on, then the nod would have to go to Baltimore. The Ravens have the #1 passing defense in the NFL so far.
If you look at which team is harder to run on, then the Steelers definitely have an advantage. The Steelers have held three premiere running backs to almost no rushing yards. Atlanta’s Michael Turner rushed for 42 yards, Tennessee’s Chris Johnson ran for 34 yards, and Tampa Bay’s Cadillac Williams ran for 13 yards. That’s less than 100 COMBINED rushing yards for the 3 star running backs.
Baltimore, on the other hand, hasn’t been quite as hard to run on. Last week some guy named Peyton Hillis (who?) ran for 144 yards against the Ravens. Or was it 1,044 yards? I forget. But I know that Ray Lewis is probably still having nightmares about that game.
Steelers/Ravens games are so defensively oriented that I don’t think that fans of either team would be opposed to the idea of letting both defenses take the field simultaneously and just fight until only one team is left standing.
But once again, the NFL probably wouldn’t go for that, so the offenses are going to have to take the field as well.
Ravens QB Joe Flacco threw 3 TD passes to WR Anquan Boldin last week against the Cleveland Browns. Not to be outdone, Steelers 4th string QB Charlie Batch also threw 3 touchdown passes; 2 to Mike Wallace, and 1 to Hines Ward. Obviously, we don’t expect Batch to do this every week, but all he has to do is be successful enough in the passing game to keep Baltimore’s defense honest so they can’t stack the line to stop Rashard Mendenhall.
Mendenhall is having a breakout season this year. He rushed for 143 yards last week against Tampa Bay, and he has accumulated 332 rushing yards in the Steelers first 3 games.
Charlie Batch should prove to be the key to a Steelers’ victory. If he can mix it up and show the Ravens early on that he is a passing threat, the Steelers will win this game.
I expect Charlie to do exactly that. I predict that the Steelers will beat the Ravens 21-10, and Big Ben is going to find himself returning to a team with a 4-0 record. Who woulda thunk it?
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Wow! 21-10! The cool-aid is flowing! I hope you are right. We have not been able to run the ball against the Ravens for years. IMO it is because Hartwig Vs Nata was a mismatch that we lost everytime. I am psyched to see how the Boy Wonder #53 does this week. I was thrilled that they drafted him and pleasantly shocked when they inserted him in the starting line up. (Very un-Steeler like.) No doubt it was the right move. On Sunday, I hope that we find out that it was the single most important move for our Offense! Steelers POUNCE on Ravens D, Win 17-13.
1John,
I really think the Steelers are going to have success against the Ravens. The Ravens have already lost to Cincinnati, and last week they were losing late in the game to the Cleveland Browns. Of course, the Browns weren’t able to hold onto the late lead, but nevertheless, some guy named Peyton Hillis still managed to gain 144 yards on the ground against the Ravens. If he can do that, then Mendy should be able to have a decent game.
BTW, you are excited about Pouncey, which is understandable. But what did you think about Legursky’s performance last week. I thought he performed pretty well. But of course, I’m biased. I never thought Trai Essex was the answer at right guard.
2Legursky may prove to be the human interest story of the year. I have a feeling he is the man at RG. Love his toughness. It is so refreshing to see some good O-line play. We need studs up front maybe Pouncey and Legursky will be anchors for years to come. (Hopefully, we will add more blue chippers because like you I don’t believe Essex, Hills, Foster and even Colon are guys to build a dynasty on.) I’m psyched for Sunday–I sure hope Arians has a good game!
3This feels like a low scoring contest. 13-6.
4