Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers: Final Prediction
Sep 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) runs the offense against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
It’s Saturday, and not many people feel like doing math on the weekend, but I have an equation to share: win or go home + the best rivalry in the NFL = fireworks. Yes, the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers tend to produce hard-hitting, emotional games. Amplified by the lens of the NFL Playoffs, this game could be one for the ages.
The Ravens and the Steelers split the season series, each winning a game by 20 and losing a game by 20. So despite the fallout of the Ravens’ catastrophic Week 9 loss (two cornerbacks cut), think of the season series as tied at zero. At this point, every team is 0-0.
Matchups
Ben Roethlisberger is a better quarterback than Joe Flacco more often than not. Flacco has built a persona as a playoff star, though. Another tremendous playoff performance would seal that deal, and that gives the Ravens hope Flacco can outplay his black and gold counterpart.
At the skill positions, the Steelers have a tremendous group of receivers led by Antonio Brown and complemented by the freakishly athletic Martavis Bryant. The Ravens don’t have any receivers as skilled as Brown nor as athletic as Bryant.
But at running back, the Ravens have a huge advantage due to the loss of Le’Veon Bell. Justin Forsett has had a tremendous year, while no one behind Bell has done much of anything for the Steelers.
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At tight end, Heath Miller is among the steadiest tight ends in the league. Owen Daniels and Crockett Gillmore are a fine pair, but they don’t compete with Miller and Matt Spaeth.
Both teams are much improved along the offensive line from 2013. The Ravens have arguably the two best linemen on the field in Marshal Yanda and Kelechi Osemele. They will also be starting, though, an undrafted rookie tackle and a fifth-round draft pick at guard.
The Steelers don’t have a standout like the Ravens do. They’re just a solid group with a quality left tackle in Kelvin Beachum. Call this a wash, though if the Ravens can play like they did in the fourth quarter against Cleveland, it’s Baltimore’s advantage.
On defense, the Ravens have the best front-seven in the league. Nobody can compete with the combination of a devastating pass rush and dominant run defense the Ravens bring to the table. The Steelers are solid up front, just not dynamic the way the Ravens are.
On the back end of the defense, the Steelers have an overwhelming advantage. Not that the Steelers are stocked with talent, though William Gay is having arguably his best season. Rather, the Steelers’ secondary is less of an Achilles heel than the Ravens’. Benching Cortez Allen turned the Steelers’ season around, turning a penalty-plagued unit into a much more steady one.
Purely from a talent perspective, the Steelers had an advantage until Le’Veon Bell went down with an injury. Now, the teams are much more even. Pair that with two of the better coaching staffs in the game and this could be one for the ages.
Prediction
Do the Ravens get off to a slow start as they have in weeks past, or do they carry over the momentum from their 17-point outburst in the fourth quarter against Cleveland? Bet on the latter, as the Ravens’ intensity level will be much higher in the playoffs.
The Ravens will generate some long drives, yet they will probably be held to field goals more than touchdowns.
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The Steelers, meanwhile, will have an answer for everything the Ravens throw at them. Where the Ravens will rely on steady drives for the most part, the Steelers will bank on big plays. Martavis Bryant and Antonio Brown should have no trouble providing them.
Though the Ravens offense will generate plenty of yards, they will be down 16-13 at the half.
Defense will dominate the third quarter, with the Ravens pass rush starting to take over. A big defensive play will set up a Ravens’ score, giving them the lead after trailing for much of the first half. At the end of the third quarter, the Ravens will lead 20-16. However, that will be their last gasp.
In the fourth quarter, the Ravens’ D’s inability to get off the field will haunt them. Overwhelmingly exhausted, the Ravens will surrender more big plays and allow the Steelers to get the lead back. A long pass, eliciting tweets of “I hate our secondary” will give the Steelers a 23-20 lead.
After a Ravens’ three-and-out, the Steelers will again drive down the field for a touchdown, taking a 30-20 lead.
The Ravens’ offensive line, with the game on the line, will not be able to protect Joe Flacco. The Ravens will again stall out, giving Pittsburgh the win.
Final Prediction: Steelers 30, Ravens 20