NFL Breakdown - Steelers Defense vs Ravens Offense

James Harrison Has Haunted Flacco...He Needs To Have
A Big Game on Sunday Night Football

Its time to break down the most intriguing matchup of the season as the Ravens travel to Pittsburgh to face off at Heinz Field.  Yesterday I gave you the matchup of the Steelers offense vs the Ravens defense, but today we flip the switch and talk about the Steelers D vs the Ravens O.  The top 5 story lines are below...

- Control Ray Rice - If there is one offensive player that scares me on the Ravens team it isn't Joe Flacco, Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Dennis Pitta, or Vontae Leach.  No, its Ray Rice.  That little bug knows how to break off big chunks of yardage, especially versus the Steelers.  Last season Ray Rice gashed the Steelers in many different ways and scored 3 TDs in 2 meetings.  Controlling Rice isn't just about stopping him in the run game.  Ray Rice is equally good at catching the football in space, on screen plays, and down field and is a threat to take each pass the distance.  If the Steelers can limit Ray Rice, then they could be on their way to an upset victory on Sunday Night Football.

- Get To Flacco - Joe Flacco joined the Steelers bashing last season as he had two great statistical games vs the Black n' Gold.  The one big difference in last year's games compared to years prior was the fact that the Steelers weren't able to get to Flacco.  The Baltimore offensive line hasn't done a great job at protecting #5 this season, and if the Steelers want to turn the tables in their direction they need to put pressure on Flacco early and often.  Flacco has been sacked 19 times this season, and the Steelers need to add some significant numbers to that total.

- Limit the BIG Plays - The Ravens aren't the "pound it out" team that will try to drub you to death with the running game.  They are morphing into the complete opposite under Cam Cameron.  The Ravens will air the ball out and air it out often to try and stretch the field with Torrey Smith.  Whether its Ray Rice out of the backfield or Torrey Smith down field, the Steelers have done a masterful job this season of not giving up the big play.  If they can continue that versus the Ravens they will improve their chances of winning.  If you ask me, I think the Ravens will take a similar approach to this game as the New York Giants took a few weeks ago.  They will take big shots down the field often to try and create a big play or draw a big penalty.  The Steelers limiting the Ravens ability to go deep with good coverage and pressure on the QB will be huge.

- Cause Some Turnovers - The Steelers defense has missed alot of opportunities in this category so far this season, but it only takes one game to get you back on track.  The Steelers NEED to cause turnovers to give the offense the best chance of moving the ball into scoring territory.  If the Steelers can cause 3+ turnovers, I think that the game will be the Steelers' for the taking, but getting those turnovers hasn't proved to be easy for the Black n Gold.  Joe Flacco has thrown 7 INTs this season, but the Ravens don't put the ball on the turf while carrying it.  The only fumble they have recorded was a sack / fumble on Joe Flacco.  The Steelers defense needs to bring that edge to this matchup to prove that they are TRULY the #1 defense in the NFL.

- Field Goals, Not Touchdowns - I think its safe to say that there will be times when the Ravens move the ball on the Steelers defense.  With that said, the Steelers need to be stout in the redzone and force Baltimore into having to kick FGs and not score TDs.  The Ravens almost got beat by Phil Dawson in Cleveland, but they also scored 55 points vs the Raiders last week.  This Jeckyl and Hyde team can move the ball, but the amount of points they get on those drives will decide the game.  Redzone D will be critical in the Steelers winning.