Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Bold Predictions

Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Flacco won’t have two bad games in a row

Joe Flacco has always struggled against the Cincinnati Bengals. There is no good explanation for it at this point, but it’s a trend. He does not have those same struggles against the Steelers.

You think the Ravens’ secondary is bad? The Steelers secondary has been flagged 27 times this year according to Pro Football Focus (subscription needed). By comparison, the Ravens have been flagged eight times in the secondary. Even if Flacco isn’t sharp, the Ravens will move the ball just through penalties.

I think Flacco will be sharp, though, penalties or not. Cortez Allen has been one of the worst corners in the NFL this season, so Steve or Torrey Smith should be able to take advantage of that. Flacco will almost certainly complete a rainbow to one of those two.

With Kamar Aiken and Michael Campanaro (if healthy) coming on strong, the Ravens have a deeper group of receivers now than they did at the beginning of the season. All those factors should help the Ravens overcome Flacco’s usual road woes, as he did against Tampa Bay.