It's Steelers week
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, got some solid time with friends and family, and didn't burst any seams due to overeating.
Myself, I couldn't move for about an hour and a half after absolutely going to town on my family's cooking. And now I've got packaged up leftovers to work with for the next couple days.
I love Thanksgiving.
The Broncos sure didn't do the Ravens any favors last night, breaking out of a four-game freefall and crushing the Giants to improve to 7-4.
Personally, I had given up on Denver, but last night's win not only turns around what looked like it could have been a disastrous second half of the season for the Broncos, but it keeps them very much in the mix for one of the six playoff spots in the AFC.
Meanwhile, the Packers, the Ravens' opponent next week, took care of the Lions yesterday in convincing fashion. They'll now have a whopping 10 days to rest up before they face Baltimore next Monday night.
Conspiracy theorists - have at it.
But that's next week. For the Ravens, this week is Steelers week.
We know about the history. We know about the heated rivalry. We know how Pittsburgh won all three contests between these two teams last year.
Bart Scott might be gone and Terrell Suggs and Steelers safety Troy Polamalu likely won't play, but that doesn't mean we'll have a bunch of players sitting around singing "kumbaya" on Sunday. There will be plenty of guys on the field talking trash and looking for any opportunity to lay the lumber on an opponent if he comes over the middle with his head down.
"One thing about this game, win, lose, or draw, you will come out of this game hurting," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said this week. "That's just always been the rivalry itself. Just as much as they want to hit me, the feeling is mutual."
Ray Lewis was asked earlier in the week if he dislikes the Steelers. "Do I dislike them?" Lewis repeated. "I don't like them."
You get the idea. Players on these two teams don't have any issues getting pumped up on Sundays, but they love these match-ups. These are the ones they look forward to.
Some of you might be getting off from work today, but don't think you get to skip out on a Friday prediction. How do you see this one turning out?
Both teams are struggling a bit as of right now; the Ravens have lost five of their last seven, while the Steelers have dropped two in a row, including a loss last week to the lowly Chiefs.
Personally, I think the Ravens will escape with a 20-17 win, getting their record back above .500. Without Polamalu in the secondary, Joe Flacco will have more opportunities down the field, and I think offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will try and emphasize the deep passing game a little more this week.
What's your prediction for Sunday's AFC North showdown?
You think the Ravens will tough out a win over Pittsburgh and stay in playoff contention, or will the Steelers pick up their fourth straight win against Baltimore and deliver their rivals a significant blow in their quest for a playoff spot?
Put down that turkey leg and let me know what you think.
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Categories (click for archive)Dan Kolko | Ravens News |
Dan-
Now is as good a chance as any to beat the Steelers. With Polmalu out Flacco should have a little breathing room, but my main concern is his mentality. The Steelers handled him pretty well last season. His INT sealed their win, and coming into this game he's fallen off a great deal compared to the first half of the season. That being said the issues he's shown are very fixable for a professional. The play calling has been ultra-conservative and extremely predictable. Who didn't see a dump-off to Ray Rice coming on that play (following a dozen earlier in the game)? He needs to get his confidence back, and he needs to get a killer instinct.
Also I think our Special Teams needs to exploit theirs. Webb has been outstanding returning kicks, however Carr has been miserable at Punts. The Sun has a very telling article about Carr's issues. The most telling of which is the fact we signed him for 2 yrs. $5 million and Leohnard signed for 3 yrs. $6 million..... :(
We've got the national audience, we're home, our defense is progressively improving, no Polmalu, Ben has been concussed. As long as our offense can remember their job is to score points....
Ravens 17 Steelers- 13
I agree that Flacco has an advantage without Polamalu roaming the Steelers secondary, but I'm equally concerned about Ben Rottenburger picking apart a Ravens thin secondary, which is now without Fabe. If the D can't find ways to pressure and get to Ben, it's going to be a long evening on that side of the ball. Visions of Frank Walker in that blowout Monday Night loss in Pittsburgh a couple years back leave me less than confident in this week's matchup. Prediction: Steelers 31 - Ravens 23. Man I hope I'm wrong.
Ravens 23
Steelers 20
This will go into O.T.
Let's go Ravens. I can't wait for this one!
Unfortunately I think the Steelers take it. 27-14. I just don't trust the Ravens in big games
I dont want to say, it turns my stomach...Oh, alright
Steelers 24 - Raves 13
Lets stop fooling ourselves, we are what our records says we are. A .500 team.
Dan-
What's your take on the Raven's towels? I'm not going to lie, I feel cheap. The Steelers have terrible towels. They're our biggest rival. How can we turn around and bust out Raven towels for the Steelers game? If anything a publicity stunt like that might be bad luck.
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James,
I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of the idea. I understand what the Ravens are thinking, but to me, it's more important for fans to make noise and try to disrupt the Steelers' offense than it is for the stadium to look filled with Ravens fans. With that said, it'll probably look pretty cool if everyone has those things waiving on Sunday night.
-Dan
DK:
I have a terrible record on these predictions.... But I actually sense that the Ravens will win this one. I think Cam opens up the playbook a bit (Wildcat, anyone?), Rice has another big game and Washington has four catches for first downs. Also think Ben gets knocked out of this one. 22-17 Ravens.
27-20, Ravens.
But my heart isn't in this right now. I just saw a piece the Newshour on PBS on dementia in former NFL players. It was hard enough to watch it while heing a lifelong football fan, but it was especially difficult for this Colts fan (I mean the real Colts, not the fake ones over there in Indiana these days) because they highlighted John Mackey. My heart is heavy right now. There can be a huge price for playing this game, and not just walking with a cane.