Get ready for a Slugfest ….. Hopefully
Courtesy: BaltimoreSun
The Ravens Steelers rivalry is the purest representation of physical, hard nose, blue collar football. If the Ravens want a win on Sunday they may have to stick to that script. “Ugly win” is the term that’s usually thrown around in a low scoring defensive game. Ugly win may have to be the formula not only for this week, but the rest of the season for the Ravens to be successful. The Ravens offense doesn’t have the firepower or consistent playmakers to have a shootout with the Steelers nucleus of Rothlisberger, Bell, Brown, and Bryant.
This game starts and ends with the Ravens defensive front seven. Steelers running back Leveon Bell has ben bottled up through the first three weeks of the season gaining only 180 yards on a 3.5 ypc average which is his worst since his rookie year. In my opinion its due to him not participating in training camp and preseason games. Every fantasy owner (including myself) is collectively anticipating his breakout game. The Ravens defense have to make sure they aren’t that defense that he gets loose against, and that starts with interior penetration and outside containment. Brandon Williams’ return will definitely be a boost to the run defense if he is able to go. The pass rush must also be effective like it was the first two weeks of the season if the secondary stands a chance against Antonio Brown and deep threat Martavius Bryant. Ben Rothlisberger has made a career out of extending plays and turning them into long gains and touchdowns. The defense must force Pittsburgh into a quick, short passing gameplan and try to limit their missed tackles in the secondary.
When its all said and done, I think the first team to score 14 wins the game. Ravens 17 Steelers 13 in a classic slugfest. Player of the game Eric Weddle 2 Ints.
