Here's what I got
The Ravens no doubt have a solid defense, but they have played two divisional teams who have so far underachieved. In both games they were able to establish the run. They rushed for 229 vs Cincy, & put up 17 points. They won 28-10 vs the Browns, & ran for 151 yards. The Browns gift-wrapped some touchdown for the ravens there, so IMO the 28 points is misleading. 3 3rd quarter tds- First one set up by a pick returned to the Brown's 12 yd line. 2nd td was a pick 6. The third was set up by a big return & penalty, giving the Ravens the ball on the 35 yd line. So far this has been a team that relies heavily on their defense to create turnovers. On offense it seems to me you stop the run & they won't move the ball. Flacco has managed the game ok, but hasn't thrown for over 130 yards in 2 games vs bad defenses, & threw 2 interceptions last week.
The Steelers are fresh off a road loss to Philly that saw their offense screech to a halt. The O-line was swiss cheese, Big Ben had no time or confidence, & the run game was non-existant. I don't see them allowing the same thing to happen @ home tonight. After tonight the Steelers are on a 2 game road trip @Jax, @Cincy. Pretty sure this game is a very important one to them, looks like a good sutuational spot. As far as gameplanning, I would expect the Steelers to load the box up, throw run-blitz packages at the Ravens, & put constant pressure on the wrs off the line. To me the defense has still been formidable, despite getting handed bad field position last week continually, they held their ground & allowed 13 points. They allowed 6 to the Browns & 17 to houston. 14 of the 17 points were scored by houston in the 4thq, when the game was already over. I think facing a pretty one-dimensional offense, off a loss, where it will likely come down to field position, the Pitt D will be chomping at the bit. Offensively I think the Steelers will look to get the ball out of Big ben's hands very quickly, imo quick hitters to wrs early. I have a slight concern about Mendenhall's fumbling. The O-line will win or lose this game imo.
I hate the 5 here, but using the pick the winner philosophy, I would have to be on the Steelers. I am leaning heavily on the under as I said I think theis is a field position game, & barring a couple quick defensive scores, I just don't see the Ravens offense getting over on the Steelers. Thinking about a play on the Ravens team u14.5. Anyone have a different perspective?
The Ravens no doubt have a solid defense, but they have played two divisional teams who have so far underachieved. In both games they were able to establish the run. They rushed for 229 vs Cincy, & put up 17 points. They won 28-10 vs the Browns, & ran for 151 yards. The Browns gift-wrapped some touchdown for the ravens there, so IMO the 28 points is misleading. 3 3rd quarter tds- First one set up by a pick returned to the Brown's 12 yd line. 2nd td was a pick 6. The third was set up by a big return & penalty, giving the Ravens the ball on the 35 yd line. So far this has been a team that relies heavily on their defense to create turnovers. On offense it seems to me you stop the run & they won't move the ball. Flacco has managed the game ok, but hasn't thrown for over 130 yards in 2 games vs bad defenses, & threw 2 interceptions last week.
The Steelers are fresh off a road loss to Philly that saw their offense screech to a halt. The O-line was swiss cheese, Big Ben had no time or confidence, & the run game was non-existant. I don't see them allowing the same thing to happen @ home tonight. After tonight the Steelers are on a 2 game road trip @Jax, @Cincy. Pretty sure this game is a very important one to them, looks like a good sutuational spot. As far as gameplanning, I would expect the Steelers to load the box up, throw run-blitz packages at the Ravens, & put constant pressure on the wrs off the line. To me the defense has still been formidable, despite getting handed bad field position last week continually, they held their ground & allowed 13 points. They allowed 6 to the Browns & 17 to houston. 14 of the 17 points were scored by houston in the 4thq, when the game was already over. I think facing a pretty one-dimensional offense, off a loss, where it will likely come down to field position, the Pitt D will be chomping at the bit. Offensively I think the Steelers will look to get the ball out of Big ben's hands very quickly, imo quick hitters to wrs early. I have a slight concern about Mendenhall's fumbling. The O-line will win or lose this game imo.
I hate the 5 here, but using the pick the winner philosophy, I would have to be on the Steelers. I am leaning heavily on the under as I said I think theis is a field position game, & barring a couple quick defensive scores, I just don't see the Ravens offense getting over on the Steelers. Thinking about a play on the Ravens team u14.5. Anyone have a different perspective?
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