NFL Breakdown - Steelers Defense vs Ravens Offense (Round 2)

Ike Taylor vs. Torrey Smith - A Matchup that HAS
To Go the Steelers' Way

Its Round 2 for the Steelers vs Ravens rivalry, and its time to start breaking down the weekly matchup.  Today, I analyze the Steelers Defense vs the Ravens Offense.  Although the Steelers got the best of this matchup 2 weeks ago, things can be totally different when the Ravens play at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD.

- Stop Ray Rice - Ray Rice is still the man who makes the Ravens offensive machine run.  The Steelers did a phenomenal job clogging up the running lanes against the Ravens last meeting, but Rice is just as big a threat out of the backfield catching as he his running the ball.  Look back at the play in Pittsburgh when it was 3rd and long and Ray Rice slips behind Lamarr Woodley and catches a pass for a first down and a big gain.  That drive led to a Baltimore FG, and lets be honest, typically these matchups come down to less than a TD about 95% of the time.  Stop Ray Rice, and you stop the Ravens offense from being as versatile as they would want heading into the game.

- Get to Flacco - In the last game, the Steelers sacked Flacco a couple times and hurried him on other occasions.  Lets remember that Flacco is a big QB that is at times tough to bring down.  He is able to extend plays with his mobility and has the arm strength to burn you down field.  The Steelers defense can't simply allow Flacco to have time to sit in the pocket and pick apart the secondary.  If you don't get to Flacco, the defense will need to pressure him into throwing the ball earlier than planned, and hopefully into mistakes.  With Lamarr Woodley doubtful (and most likely out), it is up to Jason Worilds to be the threat opposite of James Harrison to try and wreak havoc on Joe Flacco and the Ravens offensive line.  Shouldn't be much of a drop off as Worilds is leading the Steelers in sacks so far this season.

- Play great 3rd down Defense / Protect the deep ball - The one time "dink and dunk" Ravens offense is now a vertical passing offense that loves to test the secondary of opposing defenses by throwing deep to Torrey Smith early and often.  One of the bigger aspects of stopping the Ravens is playing great 3rd down defense.  Allowing the Ravens to have lengthy, time consuming drives can be a killer to any team playing the Ravens.  The Steelers had moderate success on 3rd down against the Ravens 2 weeks ago, but for the Steelers to win they will have to have that same success in Round 2.  As for protecting the deep ball, the Steelers shocked the Ravens by having Ike Taylor shadow Torrey Smith, when he typically shadows Anquan Boldin.  Expect the Ravens to be expecting that matchup and do things to free up their big play WR downfield.

- Don't Allow Yards Aafter Catch (Ask the Chargers) - Really, all you have to do is watch teh 4th and 29 conversion of Ray Rice vs the Chargers and you realize that it isn't just Ray Rice that is capable of making a big play after first contact from a defender.  The Ravens are a gritty bunch who fight for every yard.  Jacoby Jones as a return man is dangerous and can escape the tiniest areas to take a kick / punt to the house...the Steelers should know all about him after he torched them for the go ahead TD 2 weeks ago.  The Steelers are typically a solid tackling team, but every now and then the Steelers start diving with their shoulders instead of wrapping up.  Tackling the ball carrier at first impact will be huge in the Steelers ability to steal a win from Baltimore in their home stadium this Sunday.

- Be Tough In The Redzone - Take a look at the Steelers defense and the Ravens defense and you see 2 units that are drastically different.  The Ravens rank in the bottom 10 of NFL defenses (statistically) and the Steelers rank in the top 5 in almost every defensive category (#1 Overall in today's NFL).  However, the Steelers need to take a page out of the Ravens playbook and be etremely stingy in the redzone.  The Ravens defense was #1 in the redzone heading into last week's game.  The Ravens D might be "bend don't break", but by them allowing FGs and not TDs in the redzone they are keeping their team in the game at all times.  The Steelers will need to follow that script on Sunday to keep the Black n' Gold in the game till the very end...