Baltimore Ravens At Pittsburgh Steelers

[darklight1216]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1320032081' post='847428']
[b]You've given up on the Divisional title?[/b] We're a half game behind Pitt since we've had our bye and they haven't. Both are with two losses, one of Pitts being against us.
[/quote]
Yep, this team looks like the usual all defense/not good enough offense that I am used to seeing. That type of team almost always takes second place to Pittsburgh in the division.

Right now, the Ravens are the third best team in the division and they don't look like a team that is capable of beating these upcoming opponents: Pitt (hardly ever sweep them; playing at night, on the road), Cincy (offense always plays badly against them; haven't usually swept them in recent years), and quite possibly SD and San Fran. On top of that, the Ravens have already lost to two teams that Pitt has beaten. That tie-breaker will be difficult to regain.

This is obviously just my opinion, but I thought I'd take the time to explain why I think the divisional title will not be Baltimore's this season.

[Kwothdaraven]

I have a feeling cam will be dumb as usual and try to back to what we did in week 1 instead of doing the fast paced no huddle that worked for us yesterday. We wont beat the steelers again with the same gameplan as week one. Our oline is a lot worse and we will need to go fast paced to keep flacco out of the hospital. Luckily, our d will also put ben in the hospital

[Irishraven]

[quote name='EnVy_CaLiBeR' timestamp='1320018841' post='846976']
I really hope we get Grubbs back and wish we could get Evans. Grubbs is missed on the line and our inexperience at WR shows at times.
[/quote]

I honestly don't think we will see Grubbs again this year. I remember the same injury happened to Ogden and we never saw him again and they kept feeding us hope throughout the season.

Evans could play this week, I think this has been the plan for a while.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='ball hawkin 20' timestamp='1320028991' post='847356']
yeah woodley will probably play..Tomlin just said it was a cramp
[/quote]

Yeah he is also claiming that Taylor just had a stinger. Yet, he was motionless on the field and when he did return the man looked beyond confused. I guess we'll find out. Either way, I don't think our win comes from any injury of the Steelers' players. It all depends on whether Harbs lets Cam take a step backwards or the lesson was learned from the Cardinals game. Give Joe more control of this offense and I think we'll see another beat down like Week 1.

@darklight And we've also beaten the Texans (who the Steelers lost to) the Steelers themselves and the Steelers nearly lost to the winless Colts. You're point? The NFL does NOT work that A beat B and B beat C so A should beat C. There are too many intangibles in a football game to try to make it fit some mathematical formula.

[Twistidfunk]

Oh yeah baby! Steeler week!

I think we can take this game. It will be close because our offense has been so uninspiring lately but I think it is obvious that Flacco and Co. play much better in the hurry up. The past few games it really has been the lifeline of scoring. We will certainly see more of it.

Our defense is solid and so is theirs, so we will be playing our usual field position game with low scoring. Week 1 was really an odd week, I loved it but no way should anyone expect that type of game again.

I watched the New England game and man is the Pats defense a heaping pile of garbage. They really are awful and if it weren't for Brady and the offense putting up 30 a game they would be right with the Jets probably. They still only lost by 8 points and if Bellyboy would have challenged that end of game Gronkowski endzone close call, the Pats could likely have won it. Ofcourse they didn't and lost but I think that game could have gone the other way. It was a good game and a tough battle for both teams. Really a toss up game but I don't think New England is in the same class as the Ravens.

Ravens 19
Pitt 13

[bmorefan444]

Sweep em! Take control of our division and ride it to a home playoff game. Expect Suggs to get at least 2 sacks. Boldin gave the youngins a demonstration on how to play the wide reciever position so hopefully they find a way to get open. So excited for this game.

[Wallace17_OutRunMe]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1320067112' post='847683']

Yeah he is also claiming that Taylor just had a stinger. Yet, he was motionless on the field and when he did return the man looked beyond confused. I guess we'll find out. Either way, I don't think our win comes from any injury of the Steelers' players. It all depends on whether Harbs lets Cam take a step backwards or the lesson was learned from the Cardinals game. Give Joe more control of this offense and I think we'll see another beat down like Week 1.

@darklight And we've also beaten the Texans (who the Steelers lost to) the Steelers themselves and the Steelers nearly lost to the winless Colts. You're point? The NFL does NOT work that A beat B and B beat C so A should beat C. There are too many intangibles in a football game to try to make it fit some mathematical formula.
[/quote]The Steelers currently hold the edge on the Ravens in the common opponents tiebraker seeing that the Ravens lost to the Jags and the Steelers didnt. The Steelers loss to the Texans and win over the Titans cancel one another out seeing that the Ravens beat the Texans and lost to the Titans. Other then the division games remaining the Steelers only have to play 2 teams that the Ravens have played so far this year when it comes to the common opponents and that's the Rams who they already beat and the 49ers who the Ravens play on Thanksgiving and the Steelers play in December. The Ravens still have to beat the Seahawks and Colts who the Steelers already beat to keep up with them in common opponents.

For those reasons I just mentioned makes it even that much more important that the Ravens win in Pittsburgh on Sunday and dont go a game down to them in the loss column and then have to play catch up to them the rest of the way. It's why I wasnt really worried when the Steelers got blown out by the Ravens in the opener because I said to myself the Steelers will stay even or ahead of the Ravens until the rematch with them in November and force them to beat them again when it really matters late in the season when playoff implications are more on the line in their own backyard something the Ravens under Flacco and Harbaugh have failed to do time and time again when they play the Steelers late in the season. Will they finally get over the hump this week and beat the Steelers in a big game in mid to late season we shall find out...

[EdgarAllanFlacco]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1320057363' post='847596']
Yep, this team looks like the usual all defense/not good enough offense that I am used to seeing. That type of team almost always takes second place to Pittsburgh in the division.

Right now, the Ravens are the third best team in the division and they don't look like a team that is capable of beating these upcoming opponents: Pitt (hardly ever sweep them; playing at night, on the road), Cincy (offense always plays badly against them; haven't usually swept them in recent years), and quite possibly SD and San Fran. On top of that, the Ravens have already lost to two teams that Pitt has beaten. That tie-breaker will be difficult to regain.

This is obviously just my opinion, but I thought I'd take the time to explain why I think the divisional title will not be Baltimore's this season.
[/quote]

I hope the team doesn't have this attitude or we will definitely lose on Sunday.

As for me, I firmly believe we will show up on Sunday night and beat the Squeelers. We have the same team that beat them 35-7 in week 1. They have the same team too. There is no reason we can't force turnovers and score like we did last time around.

Winners envision themselves winning. You can't win if you have a negative view of yourself.

I see people saying we lost to the Jags and Titans and the Steelers beat them. We beat the Texans though, and the Steelers lost to them. I'd say the Texans are a much better team than the Jags and Titans, and I blame the Ravens more than I give credit to those teams for those losses. I think we underestimated them and didn't come prepared. We came prepared in week 1 though didn't we?

Those are errors in strategy, but I don't see us underestimating the Steelers this Sunday. We're going to throw everything we have at them. This is a deeply personal game and we can win it.

[ravens88]

we have to win this game or im sorry but we cant count on pittsburgh giving up the divison we had the driver seat now we are where we have been the last 3 years not looking good but i have full faith that this team will play like the week one team we saw and grab back the ability to control our own destiny as they say.

[Wallace17_OutRunMe]

[quote name='EdgarAllanFlacco' timestamp='1320070074' post='847756']

I hope the team doesn't have this attitude or we will definitely lose on Sunday.

As for me, I firmly believe we will show up on Sunday night and beat the Squeelers. We have the same team that beat them 35-7 in week 1. They have the same team too. There is no reason we can't force turnovers and score like we did last time around.

Winners envision themselves winning. You can't win if you have a negative view of yourself.

I see people saying we lost to the Jags and Titans and the Steelers beat them. We beat the Texans though, and the Steelers lost to them. I'd say the Texans are a much better team than the Jags and Titans, and I blame the Ravens more than I give credit to those teams for those losses. I think we underestimated them and didn't come prepared. We came prepared in week 1 though didn't we?

Those are errors in strategy, but I don't see us underestimating the Steelers this Sunday. We're going to throw everything we have at them. This is a deeply personal game and we can win it.
[/quote]
You make very good points no doubt but I still believe the main difference between the two teams and what seperates the Ravens from getting over the hump and beating the Steelers is the Steelers have Ben Roethlisberger who has a history of finding ways to win big games late in the year and in the playoffs,and the Ravens have Joe Flacco who has been solid but still does not step up his game enough in big crucial games late in the season. I think the Steelers are a much better football team then the one that played opening day in Baltimore. Ben has found his stride with this offense and the young receivers,the defense is playing very well despite a ton of injuries,and the offensive line has been solid since Max Starks came back and was resigned. The Steelers chances of protecting Ben from Suggs are a little better this time around having Starks on that left side as opposed to a turn style like Jonathan Scott who Suggs has completely dominated the last few games he has played against him.

[In_ozzie_we_trust]

[quote name='ravens88' timestamp='1320071312' post='847785']
we have to win this game or im sorry but we cant count on pittsburgh giving up the divison we had the driver seat now we are where we have been the last 3 years not looking good but i have full faith that this team will play like the week one team we saw and grab back the ability to control our own destiny as they say.
[/quote]

I do agree with all of this but at the same time I am confident of Joe winning in Pittsburgh even in the playoffs(even though he has not yet generally with this rivalry each team wins against the other on the road. So we have a chance to do something special that has not been done in a while which is sweep the steelers but if we end up losing to them in the playoffs then it was all for nothing so let's just hope for a well played FULL 4 quarters of football and show the steelers who they really are which is a washed up old retirement home bunch of guys.

[FerrariFan87]

This game could make or break our chances of winning the division. This is a must-win.

[Militant X 1]

offensively....the Ravens need to come out swinging with a quick, swift and fast pace offense! IF they get off to a slow start in trying to establish a rhythm that plays into the hands of the steelers defense imo because they are a lil older and slow. we need to hit'em with a few quick passes, screens, slants and some draws. take a few deep shots downfield, given'em a nice dose of Ray Rice, Ricky Williams and even Anthony Allen. run some bunch formations to allow the receivers to get some picks and rubs to get open. we need to work that playaction and even put Joe in the Gun. in essence, throw the entire kitchen sink at these cats. lol!

~Mili

[ravens88]

[quote name='americanmade2012' timestamp='1320071648' post='847794']

I do agree with all of this but at the same time I am confident of Joe winning in Pittsburgh even in the playoffs(even though he has not yet generally with this rivalry each team wins against the other on the road. So we have a chance to do something special that has not been done in a while which is sweep the steelers but if we end up losing to them in the playoffs then it was all for nothing so let's just hope for a well played FULL 4 quarters of football and show the steelers who they really are which is a washed up old retirement home bunch of guys.
[/quote]

I agree the thing that has me concerned is that Big Ben is playing very well now i dont see him throwing those boneheaded INTs all across the field in scoring position like he did week 1, this game will be down to the wire this time. very hype for sunday night. I live in Dover delaware way to many steelers fans over here last playoff game i thought i was in pittsburgh or something 20-1 steeler raven ratio haha in every bar/restuarant. week 1 was so epic empty at halftime lol, anyway the team is hungry they know whats at stake.

[Corvus]

If we have a shot at winning this game, there are two things that need to happen: the offense needs to show up in the 1st half, and Pagano needs to really look at how the Steelers defended the Patriots, lots of press coverage and physicality within those 5 yards against all of their young receivers. The Patriots just kept dropping into zone and those guys did a good job of finding all of the holes in them, time after time. Wallace and Brown in particular are looking pretty impressive but we have to remember that Brown and Sanders are just 2nd year guys. If our guys can jam them a bit and throw off the timing, I think they are prone to maybe making some mental mistakes in their routes. I hope Jimmy is ready for Sunday because we are definitely gonna need him for more than special teams...

[In_ozzie_we_trust]

[quote name='ravens88' timestamp='1320072635' post='847820']

I agree the thing that has me concerned is that Big Ben is playing very well now i dont see him throwing those boneheaded INTs all across the field in scoring position like he did week 1, this game will be down to the wire this time. very hype for sunday night. I live in Dover delaware way to many steelers fans over here last playoff game i thought i was in pittsburgh or something 20-1 steeler raven ratio haha in every bar/restuarant. week 1 was so epic empty at halftime lol, anyway the team is hungry they know whats at stake.
[/quote]

I feel you on that one I work in seaford and always have steelers fans come in but to your quote I do agree ben is playing well but remember we have two people that make him cringe: SUGGS and LEWIS. Suggs always seems to find him and makes him rush the throws and that's why the steelers DON'T want to see us right now trust me. I believe the Interceptions will come sunday night i say two for Ben and 1 for Joe as long as we give him protection if not then possible 3 Interceptions, I just hope I survive the night being i will be there five rows from the field Go RAVENS!!!!!

[Gtown Purple]

If the ravens team that showed up to the last 2 games shows up in Pittsburgh then we tie the season series. As a ravens fan i don't expect to see 30 plus each game but turning it over, allowing sacks, and making dumb mistakes isn't ravens football. Our defense is playing very well and I believe we can count on them unlike last year. The defense can only do so much though. Setting opponents up on the short field and playing poorly on ST isn't the defenses fault. Even as badly as we played against jacksonville we still could have won that game but that doesn't mean it should be a habit.

[CorvusCorax]

We'll be underdogs in this game and the Steelers will be favored to win. We'll have that going in our favor lol.

[Twistidfunk]

[quote name='americanmade2012' timestamp='1320073455' post='847847']

I feel you on that one I work in seaford and always have steelers fans come in but to your quote I do agree ben is playing well but remember we have two people that make him cringe: SUGGS and LEWIS. Suggs always seems to find him and makes him rush the throws and that's why the steelers DON'T want to see us right now trust me. I believe the Interceptions will come sunday night i say two for Ben and 1 for Joe as long as we give him protection if not then possible 3 Interceptions, I just hope I survive the night being i will be there five rows from the field Go RAVENS!!!!!
[/quote]


You will be fine in Pitt for the game as long as you are not obnoxious. Those fans love the rivalry as much as we do. I was there for the playoff game and I actually talked to a few decent Pitt fans before the game. Good natured ribbing and I never felt threatened...I did see a lot of idiots though but those people seem to find each other so just ignore it.

I actually shook Rooney's hand when he drove his golfcart around saying high to all the tailgaters. I thought that was pretty cool of him to be out there with the fans. I never heard of an owner doing that.

[In_ozzie_we_trust]

[quote name='Twistidfunk' timestamp='1320074377' post='847877']


You will be fine in Pitt for the game as long as you are not obnoxious. Those fans love the rivalry as much as we do. I was there for the playoff game and I actually talked to a few decent Pitt fans before the game. Good natured ribbing and I never felt threatened...I did see a lot of idiots though but those people seem to find each other so just ignore it.

I actually shook Rooney's hand when he drove his golfcart around saying high to all the tailgaters. I thought that was pretty cool of him to be out there with the fans. I never heard of an owner doing that.
[/quote]

Me either that was nice of him and I should have fun because everything is free I am staying with friends in Pittsburgh at thier place and the tickets were a birthday gift so im good

[FerrariFan87]

I cannot stand Steelers week! Gah!!

[PaintinPGPurple]

Ravens defense will step up and force Ben to turn it over several times and win, 31-14.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1320074885' post='847901']
I cannot stand Steelers week! Gah!!
[/quote]
Best. Stress. Ever.

[Florida Ravens Fan]

not a good week for those who have high blood pressure!

[EdgarAllanFlacco]

As Ray Lewis said about the first go-around with the Steelers: it's hit or be hit. This Ravens defense has been saving up some heavy hits for Ben.

You don't think the Ravens have been preparing for this game more than any other? No matter what happens, they are bringing their best to this one.

I predict 37-14 Ravens win.

[Runnin Raven]

Would love for Torrey to outperform Wallace.

[In_ozzie_we_trust]

I am thinking Evans finally plays I mean why not there is no bigger game this year as of right now

[1bodaciousraven]

Do you think Lee Evans will play Sunday night?

[In_ozzie_we_trust]

[quote name='1bodaciousraven' timestamp='1320081047' post='848059']
Do you think Lee Evans will play Sunday night?
[/quote]

Who knows but if he does I think we will try to keep it a secret right up until game time because the steelers gameplan is going to be without evans being active so it may just throw them off a bit

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

I'll say this if [not appropriate] Ike Taylor is out it is over for them.....If cam realizes the no huddle is an offense you can use for more than one quarter.

If Ike is out that is the biggest injury they could have...yeah even bigger than woodley. They have always had a great stable of LB's and worlids is no joke either.

If Ike is out then they have roll coverage to one side or the other forcing polamalu into coverage (to which he is average at best) and keeps him off the LOS. That alleviates a lot of worry and if we are in shotgun it gives Joe a better view of the field. and If with 2 star lb's out they are a lot less predictable and the disguise goes out the window, because worlids is inexperienced in coverage and would get eaten alive. That means timmons has to cover Dickson and leaving RR on Farrior.

If Ike is out it is going to be bad for them ,and the beautiful thing is that concussions are heavily monitored by the league so there can be no fibbing on his condition.

And I think we have been holding Grubbs so he was 100 % for this game, and Evans I think can go as well but they want him for this game as well.