The Baltimore Ravens are in big trouble. Not only are they still winless through three weeks, their next assignment just happens to be a road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will want nothing more than to put their division rivals in a much deeper hole. However, the Steelers have a big problem of their own, as they’ll have to get by without star quarterback Big Ben Roethlisberger for the foreseeable future.
Can Joe Flacco and the Ravens finally get off the schneid at Heinz Field? Read on below for our preview of this big AFC North rivalry game. Meanwhile, check out more top Week 4 matchups with our previews of the Rams vs. Cardinals and Giants vs. Bills.
[sc:Football ]
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Preview
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
When: Thursday, October 1, 8:25 PM ET
Line: Baltimore Ravens (-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (+3); total 44.5 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS/NFL Network
Betting on the Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens aren’t 0-3 too often. In fact, it’s the very first time in team history they’ve dropped their first three games of the season.
[sc:NFL240banner ]A big reason for their horrific slump to start the year has been their incredibly porous pass defense. The Ravens have given up 734 passing yards and six touchdowns in two weeks to Derek Carr and Andy Dalton. The Bengals’ AJ Green single-handedly put up 227 yards on Baltimore’s “best” corner, Jimmy Smith.
The loss of Terrell Suggs (Achilles) in the pass rush hasn’t helped, as it has exposed a subpar Ravens secondary even further. The good news for that secondary is the Steelers will be without Ben Roethlisberger, giving them one less thing to worry about.
The Ravens offense hasn’t been too impressive, either. The running game was stopped dead in its tracks by the stout run defenses of the Broncos and Bengals, and could struggle to get going against an impressive Steelers front.
However, Joe Flacco and the passing game could find some joy against a Steelers secondary that is still a bit suspect. Steve Smith Sr. has been on fire in his last two games (23 catches, 336 yards, two touchdowns) and has a great chance of extending his superb run in Pittsburgh.
Smith had a team-high 101 yards on five catches in Baltimore’s 30-17 wild card round win at Pittsburgh last season.
An injury to Big Ben is the last thing the Steelers needed. Roethlisberger injured his left knee in Pittsburgh’s 12-6 win over the St. Louis Rams and will be gone for at least month. Veteran Michael Vick, who went 5-of-6 for 38 yards in relief of Big Ben, will now get his first start of his Steelers career at home against the Ravens.
Even with Big Ben’s injury, though, there are still things in the Steelers’ favor that should help them earn a seventh win in their last nine home games.
For one, Le’Veon Bell showed no signs of rust in his first game of the season following a two-game suspension. It was back to business as usual for the versatile back, who totaled 162 yards from scrimmage with a rushing touchdown against St. Louis. Bell is amazing at getting those short passes and making plays after the catch, which will help make Vick’s job a lot simpler in terms of completing easier throws.
Secondly, the Steelers defense is looking very solid. Last year’s Steelers team wouldn’t have gotten away with scoring just 12 points and still come out with a win, but this year’s team is different. The run defense, in particular, has been excellent. It’s limited all three opponents to less than four yards per carry.
Finally, these are not the same Ravens who have won three of the last four against the Steelers. Baltimore is struggling mightily this season, especially on the defensive end. Even without Big Ben, Antonio Brown can make most quarterbacks look good with his ability to tack on yards after the catch. Don’t bet against him running circles around this ravaged Ravens secondary.
Writer’s Prediction
Even without Big Ben, Bell and Brown power the Steelers (+3) to a big 27-21 home win over the faltering Ravens.
