Keys To Ravens V. Steelers

[Jabara]

I think our offense may come down to Ray Rice, whether it's running (unlikely) or passing (most likely) to gain some sort of yardage to maintain a drive against the Steelers D.
After that I hope to see Evans and Boldin catch some TDs.
Apparently Leach doesn't carry the ball ever, but he does have good hands, I could see him being used in the red zone, a dumpoff pass just like Rice in the open field.
We've got so many new players that it kinda worries me, but you never know how that pans out, and I believe they are good players so we could really heat up towards the end of the season, when it counts.
Either way, lets focus on this game.
We need to make sure Ben doesn't get the chance to roll out to his right and make the big plays that it seems only he can make.
These games have come down to one or two big plays, I don't think much will change this season, unless our new starters really make a difference. I think our special teams will be amazing this season, and not because of the stupid kickoff rule change.

Is it just me or are there a lot more Steeler fans on this site this season. I like it if they are respectful like Wardy.

[ooo sugahhh 52]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1315512045' post='781271']
[b]I think our offense may come down to Ray Rice, whether it's running (unlikely) or passing (most likely)[/b] to gain some sort of yardage to maintain a drive against the Steelers D.
After that I hope to see Evans and Boldin catch some TDs.
Apparently Leach doesn't carry the ball ever, but he does have good hands, I could see him being used in the red zone, a dumpoff pass just like Rice in the open field.
We've got so many new players that it kinda worries me, but you never know how that pans out, and I believe they are good players so we could really heat up towards the end of the season, when it counts.
Either way, lets focus on this game.
We need to make sure Ben doesn't get the chance to roll out to his right and make the big plays that it seems only he can make.
These games have come down to one or two big plays, I don't think much will change this season, unless our new starters really make a difference. I think our special teams will be amazing this season, and not because of the stupid kickoff rule change.

Is it just me or are there a lot more Steeler fans on this site this season. I like it if they are respectful like Wardy.
[/quote]
i completely agree with you here. i think we dont necessarily have to spread them out with multiple wideouts, i think our best bet it to split rice out and force a linebacker to cover him. while the steelers have excellent linebackers, i dont know who they have that can cover ray rice in space

i hope to see a lot of shotgun with leach and rice in the backfield, one of our tight ends on the line (i like them both) and q and evans on the outside. send rice out in motion and get some favorable mismatches, and keep leach in to help pass protect

on defense, we have to stop ben, plain and simple. mendenhall will pretty much be a non factor unless in goal line situations

[Gordo52]

Run up the score...lol

[mhead66]

On Offense, the key is the OLine, and the time they give Flacco. RR had only 84 yards rushing in 3 games - I don't think either team will run effectively.

Rice receiving as a safety valve is critical; he had 3 catches total in the two regular-season games, but 7 in the playoff game.

On D, the pass rush is critical. Wallace, Sanders & Brown are all burners, so we must contain Roethlisberger and get him to the ground.

In the preseason, the Steelers have been working on quick slants across the middle to their young trio - who have the speed to take it to the end zone. Roethlisberger isn't dancing around in the backfield like he's done in the past - they're emphasizing him getting rid of the ball quick, and let their recievers run with it.

That means that Pagano must be hyper-aggressive in pressuring Ben, using McPhee & Kindle / Kruger more (vice JJ & Redding) and blitzing - Webb & Pollard were very effective blitzing in PS.

The better OLine & whoever turns the ball over less will win.

[Gordo52]

Does anyone know who will be starting on the offensive line?

[mhead66]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1315523549' post='781486']
Does anyone know who will be starting on the offensive line?
[/quote]
Last I've read, all the starters - McKinnie, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda and Oher. Birk is practicing fully. Insider said every player fully participated in practice.

[Gordo52]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1315527334' post='781587']
Last I've read, all the starters - McKinnie, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda and Oher. Birk is practicing fully. Insider said every player fully participated in practice.
[/quote]
Oher Yeahhh! Lol, I really like our line mane

[Pitts200]

It has to scare you guys having McKinnie on Harrison. I don't think they've ever faced each other before, but I could be wrong.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1315528691' post='781609']
It has to scare you guys having McKinnie on Harrison. I don't think they've ever faced each other before, but I could be wrong.
[/quote]
They have played each other. Minny played at Pitt in 09', and I am pretty sure Harrison had a good game too.

That said, if I was a Pitt fan I would be more concerned about Harrison's back than anything else. I think McKinnie will have some problems, but he will probably get help from TEs and RBs if needed.

[The Raven]

My three keys:

1. Get the running game going. This hasn't been mentioned, but in my opinion the way to beat Ben is to keep him off the field, and sack him when he is on the field. If we can control the clock, and put up points running the ball, we can win. We've had more success running against the Steelers than people give us credit for. I know this was 09, but didn't Rice break the Steeler's record for 100 yard rushers? I may be wrong.

2. Stop their pass rush, or at least slow it down. Play action, and screens will be important imo. When needed spread their D. That should help slow it down.

3. Turnovers. We need to force turnovers, and then not give them away. Simple as that.

This is a winnable game. Is that a word? Winnable? Lol.

[RavenousBG]

Here are my thoughts on the keys to victory.

Offensively it starts with the Oline. We need good pass protection and smashmouth run blocking.

Joe has to protect the ball, no picks, read Troy's whereabouts on the field.

Catch the ball receivers

Late in the game, the running game has to be able to ground and pound the Steelers into submission.

Defensively we need to play pressure defense. Pressure Big Ben into an ill advised throw that Ed can scoop up.

Our big corners have to overpower their small wideouts in press coverage. Bust Hines Ward in the mouth. Pollard, just catch him across the middle one good time

Don't let Big Ben extend plays, that will always beat coverage. Good pass coverage can hold up about 4 to 5 seconds. Get to the QB!

Stop the run like we usually do. Don't let Mendenhall get off.

[RavenousBG]

Special teams, win the field position battle, don't ever give the Steelers good field position.

[ellicottraven]

One big key - Win time of possesion battle by a big margin.

This keep their defense on the field and they don't rotate much and will tire them out by the 4th quarter. It will therefore keep our defense fresh which will end up mauling Ben and their offensive line!

Come 4th quarter expect Ray Rice to have a couple of really long runs that will seal the game and put it away beyond the reach of the beaten down and tired Steelers!

[The King]

Prevent them from having big plays. Antonio Brown on 3rd and 19 anyone? That play finished the job last year in the playoffs, and we can't let them get away with big passing plays like that. Rashard Mendenhall is not the kind of RB that generally rips off big runs on the Ravens D--he's big and strong, and the guys we tend to have trouble with are speedy one cut type runners--but their WRs have speed enough for days. Keep Reed deep to dissuade Big Ben from trying anything downfield.

Joe Flacco staying cool and in control will also be a huge one. We need him to move the chains late in the game, because the Steelers will not be giving up anything to the running game. They never do, and we just need to accept it. Ray Rice may have a few big runs, but most of the game will be one and two yard gains, provided that we get good blocking at the first level and don't lose yardage on running plays. Part of this will be our WRs focusing and catching the ball late in the game.

So really the key is that every player stays cool and doesn't blow it.

[Ed_Reed20]

Like previous games, I think it's going to come down to the offense winning or securing the game late, so I'll focus on them.

1) [b]Protect the ball[/b] - Winning the turnover battle is always important, but even more so in games that usually come down to the wire like so many Ravens/Steeler games do.

2) [b]Protect Joe [/b]- Between LeBeau's schemes and Pittsburgh's pass rushers simply being very good, there's inevitably going to be some pressure on Joe. What we don't want to see is bonehead breakdowns in pass pro like we saw in the play-off game last season.

3) [b]Big plays[/b] - It's much easier said than done, but I'd love to see some of young pass-catchers rip off some big plays the way Pittsburgh's have done against the Ravens for the last several years.

[codizzle]

Just win

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1315480386' post='780851']

[b]3. No turnovers.[/b] They will kill any team no matter who they're playing, but they are just so much bigger when it's Ravens v. Steelers. A good punt is better than a turnover which gives the Steelers good field position.
[/quote]


That's all you needed to say. If the Ravens don't turn the ball over, the Ravens will win the game. It's really that simple. Other things could make it EASIER, but that's really the key. I believe the Ravens had more talent last year, and I continue to believe they have more talent. Just make better use of it, and don't give the Steelers so many chances.

[Pitts200]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1315557644' post='781861']


That's all you needed to say. If the Ravens don't turn the ball over, the Ravens will win the game. It's really that simple. Other things could make it EASIER, but that's really the key. I believe the Ravens had more talent last year, and I continue to believe they have more talent. Just make better use of it, and don't give the Steelers so many chances.
[/quote]

I mean, I dont think you really mean that, so you believe if you have 0 turnovers and the Steelers have 0 turnovers that is still a win for you guys.. Just to let you know it's not like you guys have been getting blown out in the turnover battle these past few times youve played

2010
Game 1, Ravens win. Ravens 2 turnovers, Steelers 1.
Game 2, Ravens loss. Ravens 1 turnover, Steelers 1.
Game 3, Ravens loss, Ravens 3 turnovers, Steelers 2.

2009
Game 1, Ravens win, Ravens 2 turnovers, Steelers 1
Game 2, Ravens loss, Ravens 3 turnovers, Steelers 2

2008
Game 1, Ravens loss, Ravens 1 turnover, Steelers 1
Game 2, Ravens loss, Ravens 2 turnovers, Steelers 2
[b]Game 3, Ravens loss, Ravens 4 turnovers, Steelers 1 (Only game of any significance with turnovers.)[/b]

So to sum up, the only 2 Ravens wins in the past 3 years for the Ravens is when they had more turnovers than the Steelers. Meaning yes turnovers are important which is obvious but it isnt everything.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1315561840' post='781865']


I mean, I dont think you really mean that, so you believe if you have 0 turnovers and the Steelers have 0 turnovers that is still a win for you guys.. Just to let you know it's not like you guys have been getting blown out in the turnover battle these past few times youve played

2010
Game 1, Ravens win. Ravens 2 turnovers, Steelers 1.
Game 2, Ravens loss. Ravens 1 turnover, Steelers 1.
Game 3, Ravens loss, Ravens 3 turnovers, Steelers 2.

2009
Game 1, Ravens win, Ravens 2 turnovers, Steelers 1
Game 2, Ravens loss, Ravens 3 turnovers, Steelers 2

2008
Game 1, Ravens loss, Ravens 1 turnover, Steelers 1
Game 2, Ravens loss, Ravens 2 turnovers, Steelers 2
[b]Game 3, Ravens loss, Ravens 4 turnovers, Steelers 1 (Only game of any significance with turnovers.)[/b]

So to sum up, the only 2 Ravens wins in the past 3 years for the Ravens is when they had more turnovers than the Steelers. Meaning yes turnovers are important which is obvious but it isnt everything.
[/quote]
While I agree that there is marginal separation in turnovers each game, in just about everyone you mentioned, the Steeles are ahead in that category. In historically tight matches, that one extra costly turnover has proven to be the deciding factor. So, again, while there is a not a huge discrepancy, it does matter greatly in such close games!

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1315570277' post='781889']
While I agree that there is marginal separation in turnovers each game, in just about everyone you mentioned, the Steeles are ahead in that category. In historically tight matches, that one extra costly turnover has proven to be the deciding factor. So, again, while there is a not a huge discrepancy, it does matter greatly in such close games!
[/quote]
exactly, especially against the steelers. and its usually a game changer... like our botched protection on the Troy sack/strip last year

[ravensdfan]

I agree with all that's been said, turnovers, protecting Flacco, pass rush of our own, multiple targets across the field (be it WR, TE or Rice) to make the Steelers drop back. However, there is one thing not mentioned:

NO soft defense in the last 2 mins of the half!!!! We do this all the time. Even in this preseason a few times. Let the opposing team march down the field at will and score in the last 2 mins of the half. I say NO!

[Marc2k6]

#1 key to the game! Beat the man across from you more than he beats you!

[bdravens]

The offensive line obviously has to mesh pretty quickly, generally this is not the team you want to be playing against with a makeshift offensive line. But, I believe we have a good enough mix of veteran lineman now to make the process easier.

No stupid penalties. They havent been AS prevalent against the Steelers especially since Harbs has been here. But as we saw last January, it only takes one bad penalty.

Our corners have to prove why they're starting. I believe the latest I heard was that it was Jimmy and Cary. I just hope they can handle Wallace and Brown.

TACKLE BEN. Don't have him 90% down, just to have him break away in superhuman fashion. Finish the tackles!

Last thing, let Joe go. None of these BS end arounds either. Let's see how our new guy Evans can mesh with Joe downfield.

[Purple Nurple]

Did I just read three pages of basically the same post?

Ill just add a couple things we have not covered yet. O-Line, Protect the ball, get to Ben. I cant believe no one mentioned that yet! [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.png[/img]