How do we feel about the Steelers through three weeks? Well, we’re not quite sure. They’ve beaten the Minnesota Vikings pretty handily, mind you they were playing Case Keenum fresh off the bench. They almost lost to the Browns in week 1 and did lose to the Chicago Bears just last week.
Anybody in the world would’ve looked at this Steelers schedule in August and would’ve pegged a 3-0 start, but somehow they’ve barely mustered a 2-1 record to stay tied with the Ravens atop the AFC North. They haven’t looked great, but wins are wins and the Steelers will take them any way they can get them.
Enter the Baltimore Ravens. A team that looked like a perennial Super Bowl contender through the first two weeks before absolutely soiling the bed just days ago in London, England against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Joe Flacco was pulled after passing for just 28 yards through three quarters. He also aired out two interceptions in the loss and the rest of the Ravens followed the trend. They were god awful, but should we believe that’s how week 4 will pan out?
The Steelers won’t take anything for granted and will be on guard for the week 1 and 2 versions of their division rival. This game could go a long way in a playoff battle between these two considering the Bengals and Browns will likely be irrelevant in few weeks time. If Pittsburgh can minimize the Baltimore run, they should walk away with this one.
Flacco has shown that he can’t do it all himself. Last week the Baltimore run game was stymied by the Jags and Joe, in turn, looked lost in the pocket. A strong pass rush and a tough clog through the middle will force the Ravens hand time and time again. If their D can step up, the Steelers will win this game. As for the Steelers offense, we’re really not worried about that. When you have three B’s – Ben, Bell and Brown – you’re typically looking pretty solid on that side of the ball. Defense will be the key for the Steelers.
Alright, they were hyped in the earlier paragraphs for their huge wins in week 1 and 2, but they beat the Bengals and Browns. Let’s take those wins for what they are – freebies. The Cleveland Browns are looking like they may finish third in the division for the first time since Lincoln was in office and the Bengals are looking like they may be contenders when it’s all said and done in the Lamar Jackson sweepstakes. So when they were finally given a bit of a test last week in London, the Ravens took an absolute beating from the Jacksonville Jaguars 44-7.
They’ll need a huge rebound effort in this one, not only for their fans, but to show the NFL that they’re not just a flash in the pan. Losing Danny Woodhead was detrimental but it’s time to get over it. The Ravens need their run game to wake up and Joe Flacco to return to his old Super Bowl champion self.
This game won’t be an easy one by any means and will likely be won in the trenches. The x-factors for Baltimore will be the play of Javorius “Buck” Allen and Terrence West. If these two can establish a ground game or at least a quality screen game, Pittsburgh could have some problems. They looked troubled up the middle last week against Chicago without TJ Watt in the lineup and it’s looking like he may be out again this time around too.
If the Ravens can capitalize and their own defense can shut down even a few drives or hold Pittsburgh to field goals early, they have a chance.
Writer’s Prediction
Pittsburgh (-155) says “thank you very much” and wins 31-12.
