Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Big Things

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:49 p.m. ET

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Sep 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tackle Timmy Jernigan (97) reacts following his tackle against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens Face Their Arch Nemesis, The Pittsburgh Steelers In A Critical Week 9 Clash:

The Baltimore Ravens have to win this football game. There is no way around it. The Ravens have lost four straight games. They haven’t won since September, and they are coming out of their bye weeks. If the Ravens can’t get back on track in this game, rock bottom will be the cold result. The Steelers need this game badly too.

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The Steelers are 4-3, just one game ahead of the Ravens. Pittsburgh’s deficits in their three losses were all by double digits. Pittsburgh has been taken out behind the wood shed three times this season, and it hasn’t been pretty (unless you’re a Ravens fan). Mike Tomlin’s team could have easily begun to run away with this division. However if the Ravens win, it is essentially a brand new season in the AFC North.

This game kind of feels like judgement day. You’re probably thinking, that I should tell you something that you don’t know. Every time these bitter foes face off, it’s important. When you add the turmoil both teams have faced this season, the stakes are even higher. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the three big things you need to know about this game.

Dec 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) intercepts Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) (not pictured) pass intended for wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens Have The Steelers Number:

The Ravens have won the last three games against the Steelers. Baltimore has even taken eight of the last 11 games in this rivalry. The Ravens three game winning streak includes a 2014 playoff win in Pittsburgh. Last season, John Harbaugh saw his team get two of their five wins against the Steelers. When the Ravens swept the Steelers in 2011, the gained a mental edge that they haven’t gotten back. Instead of dreading the fights against the yellow and black, the Ravens live for them. This is the moment that the Ravens want.

Last season, beating the Steelers was the only thing Baltimore had to be excited about. The fact that getting knocked down in the draft order felt worth it, tells you everything about this rivalry. The purple and black will always give the Steelers their best performance. Motivation isn’t going to be a concern this Sunday.

The Ravens will go into this game confident. They know they have the Steelers pegged. They also know that this is the moment that can turn around the season. Pittsburgh will give the Ravens a tough game. In the end, the extra motivation may serve the Ravens well. A win in this game means more than another tally in the win column.

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) takes a bow after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the game at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Big Plays May Decide This Game:

The Baltimore Ravens aren’t known for their quick striking offense this season. Joe Flacco has thrown more passes than any quarterback in the league but he is averaging a measly six yards per passing attempt. The Ravens rank fairly low in every offensive category. The offense has been the equivalent of this election cycle, every time we think of it we collectively get sick in the stomach.

The Steelers on the other hand have a surplus of play-makers. With Ben Roethlisberger on the field, this offense is finely tuned. The Steelers boast the 11th most productive offense in the league, with the eight best passing attack. Antonio Brown is the best receiver in the game. Former Auburn Tiger, Sammie Coates, is averaging over 20 yards per reception. The Steelers make big plays. The Ravens don’t.

The key for the Ravens could be in the running game. Terrance West has broken a couple of runs over 30 yards this season. While the Ravens have shown no ability to commit to running the ball, they have shown the ability to run the ball. If the Ravens have any chance of big plays, it has to start with Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon. Mike Wallace is a good deep threat, but unless the other speedy receivers start playing well, he’s too easy to take out of the game.

Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (center) talks with wide receiver Steve Smith (89) after a altercation with Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (not pictured) following a game at EverBank Field. Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

You Know It’s Going To Be Close

The Ravens play close games. They make nothing easy. It doesn’t matter how the game starts, you know it’s going to come down to the heart pounding finish. This team is good enough to compete with anyone. It’s bad enough to lose any game. It feels like the Ravens 30-17 beat down of the Steelers, in the 2014 playoffs was their last overly compelling win.

When these teams play though it is almost always a tense game. 15 of the last 20 games between the Ravens and the Steelers have been decided by a touchdown or less. There are only two ways a Ravens vs. Steelers game can go. Either there is a heart pumping finish, or a blowout. History says, we will probably be at the edge of our seats (and our emotional cliffs) the entire game.

The Ravens have a chance to turn around their season. The Steelers have a chance to bury their division rival. The Ravens should be thankful that they are in this position after a four game losing streak. This game will be huge, one way or the other. Keep it locked in to The Ebony Bird for your Ravens coverage.

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