BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-2) at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-2)
Sunday, 8:20 P.M. ET, NBC, Sirius (Bal 92, Pit 93) Westwood One Radio
Why Watch
It’s the rematch you looked forward to since week one. The Ravens had their quarterback’s back in Game One, refuting Pittsburgh linebacker LaMarr Woodley’s boast that “Joe Flacco would never win a Super Bowl in my lifetime.” The Ravens laid a 35-7 beat-down on the Steelers in Baltimore. Round two moves to Pittsburgh. Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs says “We’re taking 53 men to the apocalypse and we ain’t bringing flowers.” This is going to be good!
What To Watch
Joe Flacco’s road to the Super Bowl goes through Pittsburgh. He is 1-4 against the Steelers at Heinz Field. Flacco and the Ravens have been inconsistent since the Steelers win. They lost the following week to Tennessee and were no-shows against Jackson in Week Seven. Arizona rushed to a 24-6 halftime lead before the Ravens awoke for a 24-point rally for the win. Baltimore acquired Lee Evans for games like this, but the receiver has disappeared to the game inactive list. In seven games he has appeared twice and has two receptions. Evans did not practice Wednesday.
There’s nothing wrong with Pittsburgh’s pass offense. Ben Roethlisberger is the NFL’s eighth-ranked passer and Mike Wallace is the fifth-ranked receiver. The Steelers are 5-1 since their opening loss to the Ravens. They are on a four-game tear ending with last week’s win over nemesis New England Patriots.
Pass completions will be hard to come by. The Steelers and Ravens rank No. 1 and No. 2 overall on defense and No. 1 and No. 3 in pass defense. Just to show how tough AFC North pass defenses are, the Browns are ranked second. America renews the debate on who is better at safety, Troy Polamalu or Ed Reed.
Who Will Win
Joe Flacco must win a game in hostile territory, like this, to be considered elite. The Steelers will even the score, then we can look forward to the playoff game. It’s inevitable and you know it.
