My Raven Faithful

[Shadowalker]

We all have our fears of losing but we have much to hope for. Yes we are banged up, yes we got lucky, and yes the steelers are picked as favorites. But I come with good news, the Chargers game revealed a weakness in the Steelers. Their secondary is just as banged up if not worst then ours. The times the chargers did have possession THEY SCORED. Rivers was on the field not even half a quarter and had 308 yards! Now we all know they are stout against the run but their Offensive Line had no pressure all day and although Ben did well he still took longer than the dickens to pass. Heres the most crucial thing I picked up from that chargers game. The Steelers are very very weak against the deep ball. Review the tapes from the previous games if you wish. Kudos to Willie Parker for having a good game but I am more than confident in our Defensive Line to stop Willie. I mean even Ray Rice broke 154 yards this year.

So let the media talk and let the odds go against us 80 to 1 but for a second dont think our chances of winning this game have dwindled because personally they grew exponentially. Come Sunday bring your hard hats, sit back and enjoy the sport you love so.

[Bullitt_711]

Nice post.

[TXRaven]

I am with you on this post.

[shaikh015]

[quote name='TXRaven' post='127904' date='Jan 12 2009, 07:28 PM']I am with you on this post.[/quote]
Fair enough!!!!!!

[baadbobby]

Yes. This game is completely winnable. This is my Superbowl. As much as I hate Pgh, I respect them; this makes for a damn good show. I tell you what, the Superbowl is a lock for the AFC.

[Chi_Town_Raven]

Yeah

[joerevs300]

Ok, I wanted to bite my tongue but this statement:

"Heres the most crucial thing I picked up from that chargers game. The Steelers are very very weak against the deep ball."

That is simply not accurate.

The Steelers gave up the FEWEST pass plays of 40 yards or more in the NFL (one; the Reggie Wayne tip ball off of Ike Taylor in the Colts game).

If you are referring to the Vincent Jackson TD 2 minutes into the Steelers-Chargers game, kudos to Philip Rivers and Jackson for making a tremendous play; Ike Taylor was draped all over him. Those things happen to even the best defenses.

The other 2 Chargers TD's were not "40 yard passes"; the Sproles 60 yard pass was when it was 35-17, and while as a Steeler fan I was not happy to see that, the game was all but decided (SD had no time outs, there was 1:53 left, and they'd have to recover TWO onside kicks and score two TD's). Of bigger significance: Sproles (10 carries, 15 yards) was absolutely ineffective as a rusher. That's how we held the ball for 14:43 in the 3rd Quarter.

The Steelers were #1 in the NFL against the pass. I do not think that makes them "vulnerable" to the deep ball. You could have said this about the 2001 or 2004 Steelers, which had weak secondaries, but not this group.

The only way this will be true (vulnerable to the deep ball) is if the Ravens can run the ball as effectively as the first two meetings (100+ total rushing yards in each) and get around the 45/50 yard line. Then I am sure Cam Cameron will let Flacco take a shot down the field to Mason (most likely).

It will be a great game but the Ravens must win this game on the ground and by getting turnovers. That is their easiest path to victory. If they get behind by 10 points, that is a lot to put on Flacco on the road in the AFC Championship.