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

The Steelers Offense Gladly Welcomes Back
Antonio Brown to Face the Ravens Sunday

Of all the analysis pieces that I put together for every Steelers game, this might be the toughest for the main reason that there is still alot of information up in the air in terms of who is playing.  Will the Offensive Line look like a patchwork quilt with Pouncey playing LG, Legursky C, DeCastro RG, and Foster RT??  Will Ben Roethlisberger start or will they let him heal and play Charlie Batch?  How much will Wallace play with Plaxico Burress now in the lineup?  Alot of questions, but I will give you my top 5 storylines....right....here....

- STAY BALANCED - Against the Browns, the Steelers thought they would be able to simply run the ball down the throats of the Browns.  The Browns had game planned for the Steelers to try and run the ball down their throats and the result was a horrendous offensive outing and a loss.  The Steelers only moved the ball once and that was when they put the ball in the air and let Charlie Batch actually run the offense.  With that said, the Steelers need to remember what made them a dangerous offense during their 4 game winning streak...BALANCE.  The Steelers are best when they don't over emphasize either the run or pass.  If Todd Haley is going to handcuff Charlie Batch again this week, then I might actually put a whole in a wall of my house.  The Steelers should remain balanced and mix up the play calling on 1st and 2nd downs in hopes of getting manageable 3rd downs. 

- Welcome Back Antonio Brown In Style - I've tweeted and written about how Antonio Brown's return is almost as significant as Ben Roethlisberger's.  Obviously, a WR is reliant on a QB to get them the football, but Antonio Brown is a "do it all" type of player.  He can return punts with the best of them, can run intermediate routes, and can go deep of necessary.  If the Steelers are smart (and Antonio Brown is Healthy), they will get the ball to #84 early and often.  His pass catching and "run after the catch" ability is what makes the Steelers' offense lethal.  Along with his return, the Steelers' WR Corps gets a big boost with Wallace, Sanders, and Plaxico still in the bunch for the top 4 wideouts.

- Finally the Steelers Devote Carries to ONE RB - I honestly didn't care who was going to get the bulk of the carries, but it was time for the Steelers to stop the revolving door at RB and give the carries to ONE running back.  Jonathan Dwyer has been given the distinction of the starting RB and will only leave the game when needing a breather.  The Steelers owe it to Dwyer to have him running the rock.  He shows the ability to get the tough yards as well as the speed and agility to make the big gains in the running game.  Isaac Redman is best suited as a No 2 back, and Mendenhall at No 3 is something that could be interesting.  Keep an eye on Mendenhall as I can imagine they have a package in for him to get outside the tackles on the edge...maybe even in the screen game.  Mendenhall has the knack for breaking big runs, but also has developed the knack for putting the ball on the ground recently.  I don't care who is carrying the ball as long as they secure the football on Sunday.

- Get Plaxico Going - No one expected big things from Plaxico in Cleveland.  He had just been brought in after the Ravens loss and was being thrust into the playbook.  With 2 weeks under his belt, I think its a safe assumption that Plaxico could be a factor in Baltimore this Sunday.  The tall WR is a big time redzone threat, and something the Steelers need when they face the Ravens.  Too many times the Steelers get into the redzone against the Ravens only to have to settle for a FG.  With Plax in the lineup it gives Pittsburgh a legitimate "fade route" threat in the redzone against the undersized Ravens DB.  If the Steelers can get Plaxico going it will only help their chances of winning this rivalry game in Baltimore.

- Don't Play Scared Even w/ Backups - I have been thoroughly upset with Todd Haley's offense the last 2-3 weeks.  The coaching staff almost seems like they are afraid to call plays with the backups involved.  If "the standard is the standard", then call the game like you would if you had the starters.  Although Ben has more escapability and a stronger arm than Charlie Batch, Batch can hit those intermediate passes and has a quick release to get the ball out of his hands.  I spoke about BALANCE in the offense earlier, and to top off the balance is the fact that the Steelers need to play with confidence on Sunday regardless of who is in the lineup.  A win (which is possible despite was the media "talking heads" think) will put them in the inside track of a playoff birth, and thats all they can think about right now...just getting a ticket to the dance.