Steelers seek elusive win in Baltimore

lamberts-lost-tooth · 12-10-2008, 07:34 AM

Steelers seek elusive win in Baltimore
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, December 10, 2008

LaMarr Woodley may only be in his second season, but the outside linebacker knows at least one thing about the history of the Steelers-Ravens rivalry, which the teams will renew Sunday.

"Baltimore is definitely a tough place to play," Woodley said. "We haven't won there in years."

Six to be exact, but the Steelers can be optimistic they will snap a five-game losing streak in Baltimore -- and clinch a division title in the process -- since they have shaken the road blues that plagued them last season.

The Steelers are 5-1 away from Heinz Field after going 3-5 on the road in 2007 and 1-5 in games outside of Pittsburgh and the state of Ohio.

Coach Mike Tomlin said the Steelers have not done anything different this season as far as routine or preparation for road games. The players have bought into something Tomlin has been preaching since before the start of the season.

"Great teams are capable of winning in hostile environments," Tomlin said. "I did point out and acknowledge to the group that last year's Super Bowl champions, the (New York) Giants, were 7-1 on the road."

The Giants were indeed every bit their nickname on the road. In addition to their 7-1 road record during the regular season, they won three playoff games in hostile environments and then stunned the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl at a neutral site.

"We talk about it all the time," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said of what the Giants accomplished last season. "I think by talking about it, by bringing it up all the time, it's on the players' minds, the importance of winning road games."

If that is one criterion that separates great teams from merely good ones, the Steelers are well on their way to meeting it.

In addition to their gaudy road record, the Steelers have been largely dominant away from Heinz Field. Since an early-season 15-6 loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia, the Steelers have won four consecutive road games and done so by an average of just over 18 points.

"You've got to be able to win on the road," Ward said, "because playing at home should be easy."

Playing in Baltimore has been anything but easy for the Steelers, which is one reason why Sunday's AFC North showdown will provide their toughest road test yet.

The Steelers have lost two overtime games in Baltimore since 2002, but they were beaten soundly in 2004 and were throttled by the Ravens, 27-0, in 2006.

No play better told the story of how badly the Ravens beat up the Steelers than the Bart Scott blindside hit that rocked quarterback Ben Roethlisberger -- one of Baltimore's nine sacks in the lopsided game.

The Ravens don't figure to be any more forgiving Sunday.

They will rely on a unit that is No. 2 in the NFL in total defense -- the Steelers are No. 1 in that category -- in the game that will either leave them tied atop the AFC North or out of the division race.

The Steelers would wrap up the AFC North with a victory.

Of the anticipated defensive struggle between the bitter rivals, Tomlin said, "The big thing is that we come out with one more point than they do. Hopefully it's not 3-2, but I'll take it if it is and be happy."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_602256.html

El-Gonzo Jackson · 12-10-2008, 08:32 AM

Always a tough place to play. Need to establish a run game early and get an early lead to take the crowd out of the game.

revefsreleets · 12-10-2008, 12:11 PM

We win for this very reason:

Flacco versus our defense.

Plus I still think Baltimores defense is overrated. They've only faced a couple decent offenses, and they gave up plenty of points in both games (31 to Indy, 30 to the Giants). Hell, they gave up 27 points to the Browns. Not saying our O is explosive or anything, but we will score some points on them. I see us taking this somehting like 17-7.

scsteeler · 12-10-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revefsreleets

We win for this very reason:

Flacco versus our defense.

Plus I still think Baltimores defense is overrated. They've only faced a couple decent offenses, and they gave up plenty of points in both games (31 to Indy, 30 to the Giants). Hell, they gave up 27 points to the Browns. Not saying our O is explosive or anything, but we will score some points on them. I see us taking this somehting like 17-7.

I agree that we win because out defense will be tougher on Flacco.

Penn Hills guy in NC · 12-10-2008, 12:29 PM

We really want to win this one to avoid losing the Division title to Baltimore in a tiebreaker. That'd hurt badly, even if we'd still be in position for a wild card. Having said that, we could even lose the wild card, too, if we lose to Baltimore, Tennesee and Cleveland, and the Colts plus a team or two sitting at 8-5 run the table. I know it is a big stretch to imagine all of that happening, but if that ain't motivation I don't know what is. Better to put the beast to sleep this weekend by winning at Baltimore.

__________________________
Proudly voted for Obama!

hindes204 · 12-10-2008, 12:37 PM

17-7 is a good prediction, i put it at about 17-10...either way it is going to be a long day for Flacco and Roethlisberger

LambertIsGod58 · 12-10-2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hindes204

17-7 is a good prediction, i put it at about 17-10...either way it is going to be a long day for Flacco and Roethlisberger

Agreed....no way we put up 30 or more like someone else said. Baltimore has too much to play for and it's the Steelers. And I don't think Baltimore's defense is overrated. They don't hold a candle to ours either though.

hindes204 · 12-10-2008, 01:05 PM

i think if we put up 14 to 17 points we will win, i dont think the ravens O can put up more than 10 on us......anybody know what the weather is supposed to be in Bal that day

steelerzfannforever · 12-10-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hindes204

i think if we put up 14 to 17 points we will win, i dont think the ravens O can put up more than 10 on us......anybody know what the weather is supposed to be in Bal that day

Weather is supposed to be 47 and partly cloudy

#1LambertFan · 12-10-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scsteeler

I agree that we win because out defense will be tougher on Flacco.

And our pass rushers are faster on away fields due to the poor field condition at Heinz.

12-10-2008, 08:32 AM	#2
El-Gonzo Jackson Living Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 7,902 Member Number: 8264 Thanks: 25 Thanked 150 Times in 114 Posts	Re: Steelers seek elusive win in Baltimore Always a tough place to play. Need to establish a run game early and get an early lead to take the crowd out of the game.

12-10-2008, 12:11 PM	#3
revefsreleets Living Legend Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Akron, Ohio Home of LeBron James Posts: 15,403 Gender: Male Member Number: 5353 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Steelers seek elusive win in Baltimore We win for this very reason: Flacco versus our defense. Plus I still think Baltimores defense is overrated. They've only faced a couple decent offenses, and they gave up plenty of points in both games (31 to Indy, 30 to the Giants). Hell, they gave up 27 points to the Browns. Not saying our O is explosive or anything, but we will score some points on them. I see us taking this somehting like 17-7. __________________ *Official Steelersfever Arians Nuthugger*

12-10-2008, 12:29 PM	#5
Penn Hills guy in NC Water Boy Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 10 Member Number: 10700 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Steelers seek elusive win in Baltimore We really want to win this one to avoid losing the Division title to Baltimore in a tiebreaker. That'd hurt badly, even if we'd still be in position for a wild card. Having said that, we could even lose the wild card, too, if we lose to Baltimore, Tennesee and Cleveland, and the Colts plus a team or two sitting at 8-5 run the table. I know it is a big stretch to imagine all of that happening, but if that ain't motivation I don't know what is. Better to put the beast to sleep this weekend by winning at Baltimore. __________________________ *Proudly voted for Obama!*

12-10-2008, 12:37 PM	#6
hindes204 Assistant Coach Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,217 Gender: Male Member Number: 7614 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Steelers seek elusive win in Baltimore 17-7 is a good prediction, i put it at about 17-10...either way it is going to be a long day for Flacco and Roethlisberger __________________ *MAY GOD LET THE TRUTH BE SEEN...WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP MIKE* www.justiceformike.net

12-10-2008, 01:05 PM	#8
hindes204 Assistant Coach Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,217 Gender: Male Member Number: 7614 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Steelers seek elusive win in Baltimore i think if we put up 14 to 17 points we will win, i dont think the ravens O can put up more than 10 on us......anybody know what the weather is supposed to be in Bal that day __________________ *MAY GOD LET THE TRUTH BE SEEN...WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP MIKE* www.justiceformike.net

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12-10-2008, 07:34 AM	#1
lamberts-lost-tooth Banned Join Date: May 2006 Location: Midwest Posts: 10,829 Gender: Male Member Number: 2363 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Steelers seek elusive win in Baltimore Steelers seek elusive win in Baltimore By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, December 10, 2008 LaMarr Woodley may only be in his second season, but the outside linebacker knows at least one thing about the history of the Steelers-Ravens rivalry, which the teams will renew Sunday. "Baltimore is definitely a tough place to play," Woodley said. "We haven't won there in years." Six to be exact, but the Steelers can be optimistic they will snap a five-game losing streak in Baltimore -- and clinch a division title in the process -- since they have shaken the road blues that plagued them last season. The Steelers are 5-1 away from Heinz Field after going 3-5 on the road in 2007 and 1-5 in games outside of Pittsburgh and the state of Ohio. Coach Mike Tomlin said the Steelers have not done anything different this season as far as routine or preparation for road games. The players have bought into something Tomlin has been preaching since before the start of the season. "Great teams are capable of winning in hostile environments," Tomlin said. "I did point out and acknowledge to the group that last year's Super Bowl champions, the (New York) Giants, were 7-1 on the road." The Giants were indeed every bit their nickname on the road. In addition to their 7-1 road record during the regular season, they won three playoff games in hostile environments and then stunned the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl at a neutral site. "We talk about it all the time," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said of what the Giants accomplished last season. "I think by talking about it, by bringing it up all the time, it's on the players' minds, the importance of winning road games." If that is one criterion that separates great teams from merely good ones, the Steelers are well on their way to meeting it. In addition to their gaudy road record, the Steelers have been largely dominant away from Heinz Field. Since an early-season 15-6 loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia, the Steelers have won four consecutive road games and done so by an average of just over 18 points. "You've got to be able to win on the road," Ward said, "because playing at home should be easy." Playing in Baltimore has been anything but easy for the Steelers, which is one reason why Sunday's AFC North showdown will provide their toughest road test yet. The Steelers have lost two overtime games in Baltimore since 2002, but they were beaten soundly in 2004 and were throttled by the Ravens, 27-0, in 2006. No play better told the story of how badly the Ravens beat up the Steelers than the Bart Scott blindside hit that rocked quarterback Ben Roethlisberger -- one of Baltimore's nine sacks in the lopsided game. The Ravens don't figure to be any more forgiving Sunday. They will rely on a unit that is No. 2 in the NFL in total defense -- the Steelers are No. 1 in that category -- in the game that will either leave them tied atop the AFC North or out of the division race. The Steelers would wrap up the AFC North with a victory. Of the anticipated defensive struggle between the bitter rivals, Tomlin said, "The big thing is that we come out with one more point than they do. Hopefully it's not 3-2, but I'll take it if it is and be happy." http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_602256.html

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