We will beat the Ravens onSNF

[Fire Arians]

that's why they play the game. and i think people are underestimating mendenhall with a capable line

[Rick5895]

Originally Posted by Fire Arians

that's why they play the game. and i think people are underestimating mendenhall with a capable line

Exactly!! And I think people are underestimating Leftwich as well. People forget he was a 1st round pick, he was a playoff QB with the Jags. Haley will have the O tailored to his strengths. He got all the snaps in practice this week, so unlike against the Chefs he will have more command and be in sync with his receivers more.
I believe the pass is there for us on Sunday. With Smith now also out , Reed injured with the shoulder, the secondary will be hard pressed to keep up to our WR's even with Antonio out.
Not to mention our D will step up as well (IMO).

Steelers will win 20-17!!!

[StainlessStill]

I'm almost always right judging by my gut feelings. I didn't feel good about Oakland, nor Tennessee believe it or not and mentioned that before those games were played weeks in advance. I actually feel GREAT about this game and I'm this close in expecting to win.

We have a helluva team, ladies and gentlemen. It would be a MISTAKE for Balty to take Lefty or anybody else lightly! We're going to be fired up and will be able to move the ball. It all comes down to the D and what Flacco we get.

HERE WE GO.

[lardlad]

Originally Posted by SteelersCanada

I don't know why, or if this makes any sense, but I feel like we're going to see the 2008 defense on Sunday. I think you're going to see guys like Timmons, Woodley and Taylor step up and make plays. I think Harrison is going to play inspired and we'll see - for what could be the last time - him as a dominate OLB.

Maybe it's because I'm an optimist, but I have a good feeling about Sunday. As long as they play inspired and Mendenhall can bring back the same magic he had against the Eagles, I like our chances. Let's face it, I don't think anyone is actually afraid of Flacco. Everyone is saying we don't have a shot and this game is already over, and it's games like that where they go out and play smashmouth and physical 'ball, and ultimately end up playing our best games.

Let's go show why we're still the class of the AFC North.

Actually I am worried about Flacco because you never know what you are going to get from him. He went down field a lot last year on us.

[SoCalFan]

The 2 keys to the game will be the play of the D of course, more important will be the play of the O line! If they create time, I have no doubt Lefty can get the job done & if they open holes in the run game, we will move the chains & control the clock! Come on O line!!!

[RavenManiac]

The Ravens' offense is rubbish on the road. Leftwich is semi-rubbish. The game will be low-scoring and close. I'll say 13-10 or 16-13. No clue who wins. I also will say there is a greater chance that you guys blow us out than the reverse, though the chances of either are slim.

Your crowd, defense, and the rest of your team embracing the rare underdog status could lead to a blowout win for you guys. It would be entirely a result of your defense annihilating our offense, forcing many turnovers that lead to many points. But I think the odds are slim.

As for a Ravens blowout, it will only be possible if Leftwich/Haley are stupid. If they play conservatively, run it a lot, and don't turn it over multiple times, then the Steelers cannot be blown out.

I hope the Ravens team is not looking at this game the same way that a lot of Ravens' fans are looking at this game because it would be a huge mistake. (And I think the team isn't as stupid as most of the fans, so I am sure they are taking this game very seriously indeed)

[Fire Arians]

Originally Posted by RavenManiac

The Ravens' offense is rubbish on the road. Leftwich is semi-rubbish. The game will be low-scoring and close. I'll say 13-10 or 16-13. No clue who wins. I also will say there is a greater chance that you guys blow us out than the reverse, though the chances of either are slim.

i wouldn't say their O is rubbish, they have some fast wr's and as much as we like to dog on flacco, he's pretty good with the long ball. ray rice is always a threat.

but most likely a low scoring game, i think the game plan will be a little more conservative with ben out. backup qb's are usually asked to just not give the game away

[RavenManiac]

Originally Posted by Fire Arians

i wouldn't say their O is rubbish, they have some fast wr's and as much as we like to dog on flacco, he's pretty good with the long ball. ray rice is always a threat.

but most likely a low scoring game, i think the game plan will be a little more conservative with ben out. backup qb's are usually asked to just not give the game away

The Ravens offense is pretty bad on the road. It really shows up when you look at the number of 3-and-outs we have on the road (vs. at home). It is one thing to drive and settle for FGs vs TDs, or even drive to midfield and be forced to punt, but another entirely when you repeatedly go 3-and-out and allow the other team to start with great field position. At Cleveland and at K.C we lose easily if our defense doesn't have good games (and that includes letting KC run all over us, our defense held when it counted).

Ignoring kneel-downs or drives that end in under 3 plays due to end of half or end of game (and ignoring kick-off return TDs as "drives"):

Ravens have gone 3-and-out 21 times out of 47 drives in 4 road games, or a staggering 44.6% of the time. These are games against: Houston (very good 8-1), Philly (not good 3-6), Cleveland (not good 2-7), KC (poor 1-8).

Ravens have gone 3-and-out 11 times out of 50 drives in 5 home games (and 2 of those 11 were the last 2 drives against Oakland, up by 5 TDs, with Tyrod Taylor at QB, running 5/6 plays), or 22% of the time.

I would not be surprised to see the Ravens fail to get a first down for over 20 minutes of game time. They have done this twice in 4 road games, and against Philly had a stretch of 20+ minutes where they got a single first down then punted or we would be talking three 20+ minute stretches of no first downs.

And this kind of stuff happened last year at times as well (at Jacksonville, Seattle, Tennessee, and San Diego), so it isn't anomalous, it is something systematic.

[Hawaii 5-0]

I hope we send their asses home crying...