Steelers Defense vs Ravens Offense - BREAKDOWN

Its Time for Troy to Get the Ball In His Hands this Sunday...

In this second installment of the Steelers vs Ravens breakdown, we analyze the top 5 story lines that face the Steelers Defense going against the Ravens offense.  Time to simplify...

- No Big Plays - The Steelers are a team that is built to keep the play in front of them.  Don't allow the big run, stop the swing pass from going the distance, and never let a WR behind anyone.  Obviously, situations happen where mistakes are made, but the Steelers usually minimize those mistakes.  Last game against the Jets the Steelers created 2 turnovers that erased some pretty big mistakes made by the defense.  Not to mention the potential for a huge play down the middle of the field where Troy Polamalu got caught guessing and Geno Smith over threw his receiver.  Joe Flacco might not be "Elite", but he isn't going to miss on that many throws.  The Steelers need to keep the plays in front of them...plain and simple.

- Stop the Run - So the Ravens are tied with the worst Yards Per Carry in the NFL with a 2.7 ypc average. Don't think for a second that this Baltimore team is going to come out and just throw the ball all over the field.  Only bad things happen when that starts to transpire.  The Ravens will try and establish the run to back the defense off Joe Flacco and allow the plays to be made through the air.  The Steelers have been okay against the run, and okay is a correct word to use.  After all, this defense doesn't completely shut down anything anymore.  The Steelers are 22nd in the NFL allowing 114yds per game on the ground.  When was the last time the Steelers did that??  I don't even want to look.  Just know that if the Steelers want to win Sunday, they need to shut down the run game of the Ravens.

- Force the Mistake - Too often the Steelers simply sit back and wait for someone like Troy Polamalu to make a tremendous play or to guess correctly.  The Steelers desperately need to win the turnover battle to win this football game and they can't just wait for it to happen.  The 2 turnovers that they have caused this season (both against Geno Smith and the Jets) were forced turnovers.  It wasn't like Geno Smith just threw  a bad ball.  No, the Steelers were pressuring the QB and forced the poor throw.  That is what needs to happen if the Steelers want to make the Ravens pay when they come to town this Sunday.

- Get Out of Your Own Way - Anyone else think the Steelers sometimes out smart themselves?  Maybe its time for more of a standard look this Sunday.  Keep Troy Polamalu away from the line of scrimmage except in key situations, let him roam the secondary making plays, and send the blitz when the time calls for it.  Dick Lebeau is an innovator, but at the same time can outsmart the wrong team.

- Give the Crowd Something to Cheer For - SteelerNation is starving for a home win.  I was present for the last home game when the Steelers lost to the Bears and it was sad.  I saw fans (probably privileged season ticket holders) leave the game in the first quarter.  Let me say that again....LEAVE IN THE FIRST QUARTER.  Heinz Field was just waiting for "Renegade" to be played and to get the place JACKED UP, but the Steelers gave up too many big plays and turned the ball over too many times for the Steelers to get their first home win of the season.  That doesn't mean it can't happen this Sunday.  Make plays early to get the crowd involved, and never let them sit in their seats again.  What better opponent to get the first win at home against...the hated Baltimore Ravens.

Miss the Steelers Offensive Breakdown vs the Ravens Defense?  Just CLICK HERE