Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
At
Baltimore Ravens (9-2)
Sunday at 4:25pm, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
The Ravens return to the friendly confines of M&T Bank Stadium to face their heated rival this Sunday with a chance to clinch the AFC North and a 5th consecutive playoff appearance. The Steelers come into the game after two consecutive losses and with their 3rd string quarterback under center. To say it would be shocking for them to come into M&T Bank Stadium and win (although they were the last team to win in Baltimore in 2010) would be an understatement. However, it’s the NFL and we have seen stranger things happen.
Here is my take on the game:
Ravens offense vs. Steelers defense:
Despite the Steelers defensive numbers, the return of Troy Polamalu and the fact that the Ravens failed to score an offensive touchdown in their first meeting, I expect the Ravens offense to move the ball and score points in this matchup. The Ravens have only scored less than 30 points at home once this season and they scored 35 points at home last season against the Steelers. Joe Flacco plays like an elite quarterback at home and I expect him to have another good game. The receivers should be able to get separation and make big plays in the passing game. I am not sure Polamalu is 100 percent healthy. If he is, the Steelers defense became that much better. If he isn’t, the Ravens receivers should be able to run past him. I don’t know how to explain it but at home the Ravens offense is a juggernaut and, despite facing the Steelers stout defense, I expect that to continue.
Advantage: Ravens
Steelers offense vs. Ravens defense:
This analysis can be summed in two words: Charlie Batch. Those two words may be the reason the Steelers could end up missing the playoffs and certainly was the reason they lost to the Browns last week. When healthy, the Steelers have two of the best playmaking wide receivers in football and both have had tremendous success against the Ravens. However, Antonio Brown is returning from an ankle injury so his effectiveness could be limited and Mike Wallace was demoted, so they likely won’t be the factors that they have been in previous matchups. The Ravens defense has been playing well and the Steelers offense has not. Charlie Batch is just what the doctor ordered for the Ravens defense to continue their stellar play.
Advantage: Ravens
Special Teams:
For those of you who might not know how good and important Jacoby Jones has been for the Ravens, just go back and watch the Ravens/Steelers game from two weeks ago. He scored the Ravens lone touchdown, which made the difference in the game. Certainly everyone knows how good Jones has been and he once again could – and should – play a major role in this game. Justin Tucker has kicked at Pro Bowl level and Ravens fans are fully confident he can deliver a game-winning field goal if need be.
Advantage: Ravens
Prediction:
Very rarely do Ravens/Steelers games end in lopsided victories but all the signs point to that happening this week. The Ravens have a chance to bury the Steelers and clinch the division on their home field where they have not lost since 2010. The Steelers turned the ball over eight times last week and if they have multiple turnovers this week they will lose by 30 points. I don’t expect eight turnovers, but I believe the Ravens will force multiple turnovers and set up the offense with good field position. It’s rare I say this, but this one could be a laugher. A late Steelers TD makes it look respectable, but it won’t matter.
Ravens 27 Steelers 13
Follow Marco on twitter @mromanell and southbmore.com @southbmore1.
