subject: NFL Predictions: Baltimore at Pittsburgh [print this page] This might be one of Sundays hardest NFL predictions as the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be the opening bell in a great AFC North race. These fierce rivals were supposed to be two of the best teams in the AFC and have so far lived up to that billing, especially on defense. This weekend's contest will be a fun, grind-it out affair, and whoever wins has reason to call itself the top team in the conference.
Baltimore on Offense
The Baltimore has largely been carried by its defense in 2010. The Ravens rank 17th in the NFL in passing yards and 23rd in rushing yards. Joe Flacco, the team's franchise quarterback, has been all over the place this season. After Flacco was horrendous in Week Two against a solid Cincinnati secondary, he rebounded in a big way last Sunday, picking apart the Browns by throwing for three touchdowns and no interceptions and going 5-6 for 79 yards on the game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. While Flacco's been up and down on the year, he has largely had no choice but to take on a heavy burden, as the Raven's running game has severely underperformed. Ray Rice, who had a strong sophomore campaign and seemed to announce his arrival as a star in the 2009 playoffs, has been held in check by Baltimore's opponents and has no touchdowns and only one game with more than 100 all-purpose yards. And the corpse of Willis Mcgahee has recorded only 37 yards on the year in 16 attempts. The Raven's offense will face its toughest test on Sunday, and it probably won't be pretty. Pittsburgh has only allowed 33 points on the season and with a star defensive front of Lawrence Timmons, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, I expect the Steelers to frequently pressure Flacco. He has shown a shaky touch and poor decision making in 2010 when nto a right knee contusion, Baltimore won't get anything on the road. On the road, without their talented young back, the Ravens offense should play poorly.
Pittsburgh on Offense
The Steelers' strategy on offense is simple: run, run and run some more. With Charlie Batch currently at QB, Pittsburgh will avoid throwing the ball as much as possible, but with Rashard Mendenhall at running back, they may be able to overcome that currently weak passing game. Mendenhall has been fabulous on the young season with two games of more than 120 yards, and Isaac Redman has complemented him well in short-yardage situations. Most Steelers fans and pundits have tried to look at Charlie Batch's performance last weekend as a positive, and he did throw for three touchdowns. But the fact is that Batch threw for 2 interceptions and the Steelers got lucky in that two of his touchdown passes could have easily gone for picks. Though Baltimore has a solid run defense, they have shown on the season that they can at least be bended if not broken. Peyton Hillis gained 144 yards on the Ravens last weekend to nearly lift the Browns to victory, and Mendenhall should and needs to breto ak off a few long runs to stretch the Ravens defense. If he cannot, then Batch will have a very long day against a defensive force that's left every passing offense they have faced in shambles. A successful Pittsburgh offense will feature long runs that open up play action and deep ball opportunities for Batch, along with a smattering of strong red zone rushing by Redman. While I believe that Mendenhall will be slowed down by Baltimore more than any other opponent and that Batch will constantly struggle against the Raven's vaunted secondary, all the Steelers will need is one or two big plays, and they should get them.
SuperPrediction
Sunday's game should be a glorious defensive battle, as two of the best defenses in the NFL try to outdo one another. On the road, without Ray Rice, the Ravens will find it impossible to find any holes in the Steelers' defense and Flacco will be constantly hassled. While Pittsburgh will have their own big struggles on offense, a couple of spectacular long plays will be enough to carry them to victory. It will be Pittsburgh that has the upper hand in the AFC North.
