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| Hope the Ravens are Ready for the Attack of the Killer Bees on Sunday Night!! |
- Heinz Field Magic - The Steelers haven't lost at the Big Ketchup Bottle this season, and this is the first time they've had back to back home games this year. The Steelers typically own the Ravens at home, but last season's 92 yd drive that crushed the Steelers' hopes of winning the AFC North certainly tested the magic of Heinz Field. I think the Steelers get their swagger back in this matchup. A side note is the turf at Heinz Field. After being played on in the swamp that was the Monday Night game, what will the grass surface be like in Pittsburgh? There is no precipitation expected, but will it be sloppy as usual? That could play a factor.
- Get Ready For the Dirty Play - I've always thought the Ravens were a dirty team, but the Steelers shouldn't be surprised by their tactics. The late hits, the shoves after the whistle, it all stems from their coach and how he tells them to play. Nonetheless, last season when the Ravens were throwing "cut blocks" to open up huge running lanes, the Steelers said they weren't prepared for it and they were concerned for their knees. It isn't against the rules to throw cut blocks, but the Steelers can't use the "we weren't ready for it" excuse. They know the Ravens are going to play that way, and they need to do whatever it takes to get off the blocks and make plays. Get ready for a fist fight...
- Prime Time = Steelers Time - The Steelers have had a TON of primetime / nationally televised games this season. They have only played 2 games at 1:00pm (Philadelphia and Washington) and the rest have been 4:00pm or later. The Steelers should be used to the bright lights and the experience of the season should show. The Steelers have the opportunity to send a message to the Ravens as well as the rest of the NFL if they are able to defeat the Ravens on SNF without their QB, their best WR, and one of their best defensive players. What better stage to complete that task than on Nationally televised Sunday Night Football!
- 2 Coaching Careers Forever Connected - Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh were hired within years of one another, and simply because of the great games the two have coached against one another they will forever be linked to one another. Steelers fans hated Brian Billick, but I think everyone would agree that they hate John Harbaugh worse. I don't know if it is his demeanor, his actions (running up the score on opponents), how he whines like a little baby, or just his face that makes fans hate him so much, but either way these two coaches have completely different demeanors and mentalities on the sidelines.
- Kickers Could Decide the Game - I don't often bring up special teams in my analysis, but this is a game that could come down to Kickers. Shaun Suisham went from goat last year to money in the bank this year, and his experience kicking at Heinz Field could play HUGE dividends for the Steelers. The Ravens let go of their experienced kicker Billy Cundiff and have elected to go with a rookie kicker this year. The inexperience of the kicker kicking at Heinz Field (especially into the open end of the field) could certainly play a role in who wins this game.
- PREDICTION - Its time for my prediction for this game, and without Ben its certainly tough to gauge what the Steelers' offense is going to look like, and how many points they will be able to produce. The Steelers defense has been very solid this season and that can continue against a Ravens offense that seems to want to rely on slinging the ball around. Okay, enough blabbering...time for the prediction:
STEELERS - 23
Ravens - 17
Do you disagree? Do you have a prediction you feel SOLID about? Leave it in the Comments section below!
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