This Year Steelers vs Ravens Has A Different Feel To It

The 1st Game Since '98
That Hines and Ray Aren't Playing

This is the game that all the Steelers and Ravens players / coaches circle on the schedule.  Its the games that the fan bases always look for right when the schedule comes out.  I know for me that it is the first thing I look for..."when do we play the Ravens" are normally the first words that come out of my mouth.  Last year it was a dumbfounded feeling seeing the Steelers open up the season with the rivalry game, and this year it was more of the same as the NFL put only one game in between the two meetings in what is now the NFL's BEST rivalry.  These games have always been "big boy" games where hard hits were a regularity and points came at a premium.  However, this year's game(s) have a different feel to it for several reasons.

The first thing that jumped out at me when approaching the Baltimore game was the fact that this was the first game since 1998 between the Steelers and Ravens that won't have Hines Ward or Ray Lewis on either sideline.  Its those two players that truly signified what this rivalry was and is today.  Whether it was Ray Lewis pumping up the Ravens fans or Hines Ward throwing those crushing crack back blocks on the likes of Lewis and Ed Reed that really made all of SteelerNation smile.  Nonetheless, Hines has retired, and Lewis is done for the year with his future in doubt.  Without those players, there isn't the star power on the field, but the intensity will remain.

Outside of the personnel playing in this game, it doesn't have the defensive outlook that alot of games had in the past.  It was always Pittsburgh's D #1 and Baltimore's D #2...going head to head.  Which team's offense will score the lone TD that will decide the game?  This year, the Steelers' D has held strong at #1, but the Ravens is at the bottom of the barrel (currently #27).  I have a feeling this could be one of the higher scoring affairs between the two teams since Big Ben threw 5 TDs in a half vs the Ravens on MNF in 2007.  With the Ravens offense turning into a "chuck it deep" offense and the Steelers showing the ability to move the ball well on great defenses lends itself to thinking this game could be morphing into an offensive one.  Now, don't get me wrong, I don't see either team getting 30 points, but I could see both teams nearing the 20 point mark...which for this series is high scoring.

Regardless of who plays, or what each team is ranked in the NFL, the fans and the players will play at a higher level during this game.  The Steelers continue to try and "hold serve" at Heinz Field and remain unbeaten, and the Ravens attempt to take a strong hold of the division with a win in the Big Ketchup Bottle.  I know I'm already getting pumped up for the game, as I'm sure everyone reading this is too.  Remember that this game is up for grabs, even with Big Ben out.  The Steelers with their backs against the wall, injuries around the team, no one picking them to win, and a National TV audience...most of the time that means good things for the Steelers chances to win.  HERE WE GO STEELERS!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for my "Nitty Gritty" post which will include my game prediction, and on Sunday follow me on Twitter (@BnGBlitz) for my dumb ass comments during the game...