Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers: Wild Card Preview
Here at The Baltimore Wire we have yet to cover a Ravens postseason run. Our site started in November of last year, 2013, and the Ravens failed to make an appearance in the playoffs last season. With that being said, we have hit a milestone here, as we get set to cover the Ravens in their journey to the Lombardi for the first time in our short, yet successful history.
It’s only fitting that the first playoff game we cover comes against the bitter rival Pittsburgh Steelers. This matchup might be the best rivalry in the NFL. It certainly has been over the last six years; and though many tend to state that it is no longer what it used to be, I would beg to differ.
However, without getting into a history of the games between these two storied franchises, let’s just take a look at Saturday’s Wild Card matchup. Without Le’Veon Bell at running back, it is pretty blatant that the Ravens have an advantage before the game even starts. Bell finished the season second in rushing yards in the NFL, and led all running backs in receptions and receiving yards.
However, even without Bell, I would still have to give the overall advantage to the Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger and that explosive group of receivers have been tearing defenses apart all season. Who’s to say that they won’t be successful against the 24th-ranked passing defense in the league that has suffered four season-ending injuries?
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Antonio Brown has been an absolute beast for Pittsburgh this season. He leads the league in receptions by a mile. hauling in 129 passes. The next closest player is Damaryius Thomas of the Denver Broncos, who has caught 111. He also leads the league in receiving yards with 1,698 and is tied for second in the league for touchdown receptions with 13. Brown, rookie fourth-round draft pick Martavis Bryant, and second-year man Markus Wheaton have formed a dangerous receiving corps for Pittsburgh.
As for the Ravens, they will need a heavy pass rush and a great performance out of Joe Flacco to pull out this victory. Considering how depleted this secondary is, Terrell Suggs. Elvis Dumervil, and the pass-rush of the Baltimore Ravens must apply pressure to Big Ben all day so that he won’t have time to pull this secondary apart.
As for Joe Flacco, it is pretty obvious that he will have to perform well for the Ravens to have a chance. However, with the forecast stating that there is a high chance of rain, wind, and some snow, the rushing game will be that much more important. Considering that Bell is likely to miss this game and the Ravens have one of the best running backs in the league in Justin Forsett on their side, that advantage in the running back department could be the difference-maker for Baltimore.
It should be a fun one to watch on Saturday night, and I’m sure that most of you will be there to see it. So here’s my suggestion: Grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show, because there is nothing quite like a Ravens-Steelers playoff matchup.