It’ll be a “5 Star Matchup” as Mike Tomlin puts it this Sunday at Heinz Field as the Steelers somewhat bleak playoff hopes stay alive as they take on the rival Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers lost to the Ravens a few weeks back, but will have their offensive leader, Ben Roethlisberger, back for the matchup. The last time they played, Dennis Dixon almost pulled off the major upset, but they fell short.
Here’s a couple of major keys that the Steelers need to do in order to get on the winning track vs the Ravens in a must win game at home:
1. Get to Joe Flacco – In three games vs the Ravens last year, they were able to make plays on defense due to bringing the heat against Flacco. With the secondary playing too much like swiss cheese, this may be the only way to win. How about a couple big sacks and maybe a forced fumble or two? That for sure wouldn’t hurt. The last time they got to him five times, but it still wasn’t enough.
2. Bottle Up Ray Rice – The last time they played Rice ran though the Steelers for 155 yards between the ground and air, and had the play of the game on a 44-yard pass play on fourth down after it looked like the Steelers were poised to pull off the win. Rice is the biggest playmaker, and if the Steelers can find a way to keep him in check, they will give themselves a chance to win.
3. Take Some Chances – Right now we know that the Steelers can’t run the ball on a consistent basis, so they might as well take some shots against a suspect Ravens secondary. Last week Ben went off for over 500 yards, and while you can’t possibly expect even close to that again, the big play shots to Mike Wallace and Hines Ward may be needed to get the offense going.
4. Be Physical – Tomlin always says that when these two teams play, the most physical one wins. It’s that simple. Last time, the Ravens did just enough and played just a little harder to get the win. I can’t see the Steelers running away with this game by any means, but if they just make one or two more plays, they will pull this one out.
Prediction: This is it. Win or go home for the Steelers. They got a boost of confidence last week with the win over the Pack, but let’s be real, the issues still remain. This is another shot to show they belong with the big boys in the AFC, and like I said, it won’t be easy, but they will find a way like last week.
Steelers 21 Ravens 18
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December 25, 2009 at 7:02 am
Good analysis. However, I believe the Steelers CAN run on the Ravens. Last time Mendenhall rushed for 95 yards while the Ravens knew he was getting the ball because the Steelers were using Dennis Dixon at QB.The Ravens didnt stop the Steeler running game that day and I dont know if they can stop it Sunday with Ben back there coming off a “one for the ages” game last week. I think the Steelers have certainly shown us they will pass mostly, but enough running in this one can and will set up some big plays and scores. Steelers will need TD’s this time and I can see them winning another tight one this week.
DrGeorge
December 25, 2009 at 12:34 pm
With Hines and Wallace both ailing, big pass plays will be hard to come by. And while the team can run off tackle in the middle of the field, it has yet to demonstrate an ability to run between the tackles, especially in the red zone. Arians has no faith in the running game anyway. We’re going to see an aerial circus. The one bright spot is that the Ravens defense is not as stalwart as it once was, either.
On defense, replacing Gay with Townsend may help a little, but the D-line’s inability to get to the QB remains. The Steelers are #1 against the run on defense, but that statistic is misleading; other teams simply find it much easier to pass, reducing the rushing yards. When our D-line needs to stop the run, it hasn’t. Rice is a formidable and elusive runner behind a better O-line than ours.
Neither team is playing well. The Steelers can beat the Ravens, but it will look at lot like the G. Bay game and take a greater effort than last week to do it. Barring turnovers and injuries, the Steelers should win. But it will be ugly.
thomas crowley
December 25, 2009 at 1:56 pm
This game can go either way. But i have the ravens coming out with the victory. The steelers won but they had the same problem in the 4th quarter they have had all year. The d gave up 22 points in the 4th against the packers. The only reason they won this time because big ben bailed them out. I expect a tough close game with the raves prevailing it should be a good game.