For the season, the teams split their two affairs. The Ravens won the first game in week 4 at Pittsburgh 17-14. That was the last game of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's suspension. The Steelers returned the favor in week 13 by beating the Ravens in Baltimore 13-10. Yes, I expect the same type of games as the first two meetings these two teams had during the regular season.
Game Time: 4:30 PM ET
Network: CBS
Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
Site: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
The Steelers get the game at home due to winning the AFC North title and being the #2 seed in the AFC. Will that provide enough for Pittsburgh to advance? We'll see.
When the Steelers have the ball...
| Scoring (Rk) | Total Yds (Rk) | Pass Yds (Rk) | Rush Yds (Rk) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 23.4 (12th) | 345.3 (14th) | 225.1 (14th) | 120.2 (11th) |
 | 16.9 (3rd) | 318.9 (10th) | 224.9 (21st) | 93.9 (5th) |
As I have previously stated, the first time these two teams squared off, Ben Roethlisberger did not play. The Steelers just have a different air about them when he's leading the offense. They seem more confident. They actually are a bit more explosive only because Roethlisberger can take a play that has broken down and achieve positive yardage.
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| Image: Jeffrey Beall/Flickr |
On one side, there's Hines Ward. He's as tested as any receiver in the NFL. For the last couple of seasons, it seems like people want to write him off. All Ward does is go out and compete. Then, you look on the other side and see Mike Wallace.
Wallace had a sensational regular season. He led the Steelers in receptions (60), receiving yards (1,257) , TD receptions (10) and yards per catch (21.0). To say he's a deep threat is an understatement, but Wallace can run with the ball after a catch.
For years, we've heard all the pleasantries about the Ravens defense. And every bit if it is well deserved. The philosophy hasn't changed over the last decade, hit 'em and hit 'em harder. Seems simplistic, but don't be fooled. When your defense can routinely run two certain Hall of Famers out there (Ray Lewis and Ed Reed), you better hope your head is on a swivel. Oh, they have both probably seen every formation this Steelers offense can muster.
If there is one weakness on the Ravens defense, it is defending the pass. Last week against the Chiefs, the Ravens secondary devoured a playoff rookie in Chiefs QB Matt Cassel. Getting pressure on Roethlisberger isn't always a good thing because he is so strong, he can get out of potential sack situations. And there's the added factor of making something out of nothing.
The guy across the line of scrimmage this week is no playoff rookie. He owns a pair of Super Bowl rings. I look for the Steelers to maybe find other ways to utilize Wallace and his speed. Bubble screens and a reverse or two may be just the ting to keep that Ravens D line from over committing.
When the Ravens have the ball...
| Scoring (Rk) | Total Yds (Rk) | Pass Yds (Rk) | Rush Yds (Rk) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.3 (16th) | 322.9 (22nd) | 208.4 (20th) | 114.4 (14th) |
| 14.5 (1st) | 276.8 (2nd) | 214.1 (12th) | 62.8 (1st) |
The Ravens are a running offense. That's the mantra we've been hearing for years. It's true, but the NFL universe is waiting for Joe Flacco to bust out. He performed well aslt week against a decent Kansas City defense. I said decent, not great. That's the task for Flacco this week. Can he duplicate that against the Steelers?
For last week, Flacco posted numbers of 25-34, 265 yards and 2 TD in the Ravens 30-7 stomping of the Chiefs. Considering his last couple of playoff games were anything but good, he did manage to instill a bit of self confidence. Plus, knowing what's across the line will only aid him.
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| Image: Keith Allison/Flickr |
The Ravens offense is practically built around Rice. Rice is emerging as one of the top duel threat backs in the NFL. Last week, he only rushed for 57 yards and only caught five passes. That may be a good thing. He didn't have to absorb as much punishment as he will this week. He'll be a bit fresher, but not much. The Ravens are operating on one less day.
Like Heap came through last week, add WR Anquan Boldin to the list this week. If a Flacco to Boldin connection can be established, that means two things. One is Flacco is getting protection. Two is that Boldin is muscling his way through a pretty darn good secondary. The pass is one are where the Steelers can be had if executed properly.
With the week off, S Troy Polamalu received a much needed rest. That spells bad news for the Ravens. But the Steelers are much more the the long locked one. LB James Harrison is one of the elite defenders in the NFL. He can rush the passer, stop the running game and defend the pass. The Ravens will have to know where #98 is at all times.
And do not underestimate the Steelers D line. While the Ravens D line grabs a fair amount of press because of Haloti Ngata, these guys: Ziggy Hood, Chris Hoke, Casey Hampton, and Brett Keisel, know their roles and the reason the linebackers get all the glory. A thankless job, but these four are more than willing to accept that.
Overall, it's always hard to go against the home team in a playoff game. We saw how that worked out last week as the home team only won one of the four games (Seattle). And the Ravens can win in Pittsburgh...but not this week.
The extra time for the Steelers and one less day for the Ravens has me sold.
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