Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Preview, Prediction, TV Info and more
By Matt Shetler
Keys for Steelers:
1. Limit Ray Rice: Much has been made about the Steelers struggles running the football, but the Ravens have been equally as bad on the ground. Last year Baltimore averaged 118.8 rushing yards during their championship season. This year they’ve struggled with 72.7 yards per game — sixth-fewest in the NFL. Even worse, the Ravens are averaging 2.7 yards per carry, better than only Jacksonville.
Oct 13, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu (43) talks with teammates on the bench during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. The Steelers won the game 19-6. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
On the other hand, the Steelers had allowed opponents to run for at least 100 yards in four straight losses before limiting the New York Jets to 83 yards on 20 carries in Sunday’s 19-6 victory.
Rice has only 197 yards rushing on the season on 71 carries and has combined for only 115 yards while averaging 2.3 per carry in his last three visits to Pittsburgh. If the Steelers can contain Rice again, they will have a good chance to get a win.
2. Win the turnover battle: Is it any coincidence that the Steelers got their first win of the season when they not only didn’t turn the football over for the first time all season, but created their first two turnovers of the year?
They have a chance to do so again as Joe Flacco is struggling to make plays with the running game grounded and a lack of weapons. Flacco has completed 55.2 of his attempts with six picks while being sacked 11 times in the last three games.
The opportunity will be there for the Steelers’ defense to make big plays. If the offense takes care of the ball as well, it should be a good day.
3. Big day from Troy Polamalu: Speaking of the Steelers’ defense making plays, it would be nice to see something big from Polamalu. The Steelers’ safety is healthy and playing at a high level again after dealing with multiple injuries the last couple season. Flacco has to be aware of where Polamalu is on the field, as he has the ability to cause problems in coverage and as a pass rusher. Polamalu has given Flacco fits it in the past and may have the chance to do something big on Sunday.