Analysis of the Steelers’ 2014 schedule: Weeks 1-4

  WEEK TWO – PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

The NFL went out and found the games they felt would drive more fans to view rivalries.  The Steelers will warm up against the Browns, but Week Two will put their metal to the test.  On a Thursday night (Sept. 11) prime-time showdown, the Steelers will travel to Baltimore to take on a Ravens team that has received mixed reviews ahead of the NFL Draft.

Jamison Hensley of ESPN says that he feels the Ravens currently have the look of an 8-8 team, not the AFC North leader.  “What really helps the Ravens is playing against the AFC South and NFC South, two of the weaker divisions in the league.  The Ravens could face three teams starting rookie quarterbacks (Houston, Jacksonville and Cleveland), which will inflate the win total.”

“We were chosen for the  first-ever CBS Thursday Night Game, and it’s at the Ravens,” said Steelers team president Art Rooney II.  “It seems like all of our games against the Ravens lately are being shown on prime-time, so there’s obviously a lot of national interest in that rivalry.  To have both of our games against the Ravens on prime-time this season will be something different.”  Rooney admitted, “I guess if you have to (go to Baltimore on a short week), I’d probably rather have to do it early in the season as opposed to late…a challenge, but that’s always the way it seems to be when we go to Baltimore.  We’re looking forward to it.”

While both the Steelers and the Ravens have used free agency to bolster their rosters ahead of the NFL Draft, the personnel on the field in Week Two will ultimately define the fate of both teams.  As always, the rivalry will be the type of game that gets dirty in the trenches – and it’s expected that both meetings between these two teams will produce favorable entertainment for fans.

Scott Brown of ESPN says (of the Steelers), “The schedule is favorable with only one game out of the Eastern time zone and only two road contests against teams that had a winning record last season.  The offense will carry a defense that is in transition and the Steelers will return to the playoffs after missing it in consecutive seasons for the first time under coach Mike Tomlin.” (Prediction for Steelers overall win-loss record: 10-6)

Interestingly enough, the Ravens are also predicted to end the season with the same win-loss record of 10-6.

NFL.com feels the schedule is more of a challenge, beginning in Week Two, due to the Steelers playing four of five games on the road in back-to-back succession.  They consider Week Two’s match to be a “key” game.

This meeting will most likely be decided by a close score.  The team that has the most continuity from 2013 is likely to win, which may aim at the Steelers who were hotter than they’d ever been all year – especially Roethlisberger – at the end of the season.  Prediction: The two teams split their series.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5