[News] 5 Things To Watch vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

[BR News]

Stopping the run against Le'Veon Bell. Secondary without Jimmy Smith. Will the Ravens commit to running the ball?

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[ravenken]

This is plenty to look for at this game... what happens on the line will be quite important but what I think will be MOST important are game time adjustments... Marty and Dan have to be ready to adjust approaches... Marty mostly. Sure, if they are giving us the run then go for it but if they are stacking the box then stretch the field and if they are taking away the over the top then slot and tight end to the seam... still, have to make the D-line run and get them winded and then power through the seams... don't go outside on them (WR flair) and Sharzier shuts down screens. Misdirection works against their pursuit. Go Ravens!!!

[KidNme]

I think we should plan on running the ball until Pitt shows us they can stop us.
Throw some play action in there but eat as much of the clock as we can and Pitt's Christmas dinner while we're at it too!
Gonna be a really good game!
Go Ravens!!!

[scottsdaleazravensfan]

The bottom line here is there are really only two things to watch . How the Ravens pressure Roethlisberger and how we protect Flacco .

[ellicottraven]

Run the ball and stop the run and prevent both QBs from having the ball too long for different reasons. I think that about sums up our keys to victory.

[JamesA119]

Run the ball and stop the run and prevent both QBs from having the ball too long for different reasons. I think that about sums up our keys to victory.

Good insight

[Crusader]

Wright 6 years and Powers with 8 years and their being out played by a rookie Young. Ravens lose this game they better play all their rookies and find some replacements.

[scottsdaleazravensfan]

I think we should plan on running the ball until Pitt shows us they can stop us.
Throw some play action in there but eat as much of the clock as we can and Pitt's Christmas dinner while we're at it too!
Gonna be a really good game!
Go Ravens!!!

We need to pass successfully to set up the run especially late in the game . Otherwise we'll wind up with too many second and long and third and long . We need to keep their D guessing . When we run we need four , five ,six plus yard gains not one or two yards on first and second down .

[picke]

Just keep running West. He wears out defenses when given a chance. Twenty carries, at least, would be good.

[huntrgathrr]

The analysts that favor the Steelers by 5.5 have really lost their minds or are deliberately putting out info meant to deceive.
The Ravens have won 4 in a row and 6 of the last 7 vs the Steelers. That includes 9 of the last 12. Joe is 5-3 at Heinz field where they have been underdogs the last 8 times.
Week 9 was a repeat of the last 3 years......the Ravens dominate on both sides of the lines of scrimmage. Bell gained 32 yards which was 30 below his average for th3 last 12 games against the Ravens. Brown has scored 2 TDs in the last 12 games. In other words, the 3 super stars for Pitts can't do squat when their offensive line is getting mowed down by Baltimore's front seven. It was the same story in the biggest game at Heinz field in the last 8 years...2014. Steelers were everybody's

[huntrgathrr]

Since 2011 the Steelers are 3-9 vs the Ravens. They have lost the last 4 in a row and 6 of the last 7.....rivalry? The analysts in Vegas have lost their minds. The reason for the dominance of the Ravens vs the Steelers is not luck or hard to know. The Ravens dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Bell averages 65 yards in the last 12 games including a whopping 32 yards in the week 9 beatdown. Brown has 2 TDs in the last 12 games. When the money was on the line, in the 2014 playoff game at Heinz Field with the Steelers heavy favorites, Ben was sacked 6 times including a final knockout in a blowout Ravens win. Flacco is 5-3 at Heinz field.
With Tuitt and Heyward out, the Steeler defensive line consists of practice squad players. None would make the Ravens 53 man roster even if I knew their names. Timmons and Harrison are slow and can't match up with Smith, Pitta, Wallace, Dixon or West. Flacco should have a field day. The only question is whether to throw or run...both will be available.
The only concern is the absence of Jimmy Smith. He routinely shuts Brown down. Hopefully Pees will double and triple team this guy since Coates and Green are probably out for the Steelers.
But this game will be won by lesser known players....Williams, Jernigan, Pierce, Yanda, Judon, Orr, Wagner, Stanley, and Ducasse. They will allow more well known players to impact the game...Suggs, Dumervil, Mosely. The gross mismatch in talent at the lines of scrimmage on offense and defense is an overwhelming factor in favor of the Ravens.
I really don't know how any one can think the Steelers might win...IMO they should be at least a 14 point underdog. This is a team game and 3 superstars on offense mean nothing when the rest of the team gets dominated. Hence the recent history between these 2 "rivals".

[Rav'n Maniac]

Good or bad, this game will all fall on Joe's shoulders. Let's just hope it's good Joe today.

[law215]

Five Things to Watch

1. Game plan. Rivalry games are often determine by which coaching staff has the best plan to take advantage of tendencies, weaknesses, exploit their strengths.

X-factor Pees. Take away Bell. He controls down and distance for Steelers. We know where Ben is going in big situations so we can scheme for Brown on those plays

2. Trenches: Bottom line is this is where Ravens/Steelers games are won. Can Stanley handle Harrison, Will the o-line play well. Can Sizzle, Doom, Judon, Jernigan heat up Big Ben, Can Mosley and Orr contain Bell.

x-factors: Williams and Pierce can control the middle and Doom has fresh legs
x-factor: Dixon Marty must keep them honest with running the ball. If he does , I think Dixon pops a big one todays

3. Miscues. Ravens must protect the football and don't beat themselves with penalties. Eliminate drops, bad throws, missed tackles, don't give up big play

x-factor Joe. He should test their secondary deep. We can get big plays and PI calls with Wallace or Perriman

4. Field position: Ravens need to avoid too many 3 and outs. SPT need to kick and cover well

x-factor: Tucker can make longer field goals than Steelers kicker

5. Situation. Ravens need to win 3rd down and redzone on both sides of the ball. The Ravens offense needs to stay on schedule and extend drive with TD. FGs won't win this game.

X-factor Harbs. Just kick the darn ball or settle for the punt. no stupid calls today

x-factor - Joe to Pitta or Juice to move the chains

[ravens4life86]

Stop the Run
Run the ball
A deeper secondary shut it down
Score Tds in the redzone
Win

[mearzunkies]

I love the motivation in here today. Just be realistic. We know every game is within 1 score between these 2 franchises. Bring it Ravens CAW CAW CAW!!