Leave the Women and Children at Home : Ravens @ Steelers GDT

steelcurtain29 · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 32635 Location: Monongahela, PA

Vs.

Location :

Heinz Field

Scenario :
2010 Division Round Playoffs

Kick-off will be at 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011.

Head-to-Head Records
This Sunday marks the 33rd time since the expansion* of the Ravens that these two bitter rivals have faced off. The Steelers currently lead the series 20-12.

Interesting Facts
-In the last 9 meeting between the two teams, the Steelers have won 6 of the games.
-In the last six games that Ben Roethlisberger has played in against Baltimore, the Steelers have not lost to the Ravens.
-The Steelers have swept the season series four times in the rivalry, including all three games in the 2008 journey to the sixth Super Bowl title, which leads the NFL. The Ravens have swept the Steelers just once, in the 2006 campaign.
-During three straight contests between the clubs in 2004 and 2005, the Ravens knocked the Steelers QB out of the game during the respective contest.
-The Ravens week 2 defeat of the Steelers during the 2004 campaign was the only regular season loss suffered by the Steelers.
-Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! Because the Ravens defeated the Steelers in week 17 of the 2003 season, the Steelers improved their draft position in the following draft and were able to draft none other than franchise QB Ben Roethlisberger the following April.
-Could the third time be the charm? The Ravens will be facing the Steelers in the playoffs for the third time, and lost both previous contests.
-The last time the Steelers exceeded 100 yards rushing from one player was back in 2004. Jerome Bettis was the ball carrier with 117 total yards.
-You want defense? You've found the right game. These two teams have been the cornerstone of defense for the NFL over the last decade. Since 2003, both teams have been at least in the top 10 for total defense in the NFL. 2002 saw the Steelers being top 3, but Baltimore was a dismal 22nd overall.
-Who needs 16 games? Despite starting the season on the PUP list, Ed Reed played the rest of the 10 games for the season, and ended the season with a league-leading 8 interceptions.

Key Players

Pittsburgh

Ben Roethlisberger

If Pittsburgh wants to win, it starts with Ben Roethlisberger. It has been almost five years since Baltimore has won against Pittsburgh with Roethlisberger as the starting Quarterback. This win begins and ends with Roethlisberger doing what he does best, win games. Big Ben showed his tenacious ways with a key 4th quarter drive earlier in the season in the STeelers 17-14 win. Despite completing less than 60% of his passes against Baltimore in his career, the Steelers best chance at a victory is for Ben to be mistake free. If Pittsburgh wants a chance at being in the AFC Title game for the third time in the last six NFL seasons, Ben Roethlisberger has to be at the top of his game.

Baltimore

Haloti Ngata

When was the last time you heard that a 3-4 defensive lineman was the key to victory? This may be the first time, but you shouldn't overlook it. Every 3-4 defense needs to start with a disruptive defensive line, and the unmatchable and unblockable skill set of Haloti Ngata will give you just the edge you need. Haloti Ngata is arguably the most versatile player in the NFL. He plays as a defensive end in a 3-4, a defensive tackle and nose tackle in a 4-3, and the coveted 3-4 nose tackle. There isn't anything Ngata can't do, whether it's winning fights in the trenches; drop into coverage; and get to the Quarterback; something Ben knows about all too well. If there is anything that will help the Ravens and their disappointed 21st ranked defense, it's the play of Haloti Ngata.

Awesome Photos to Look at!

Quotes of the Week

When the Steelers play the Ravens...

stefan52268 · Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Posts: 6500 Location: Pittsburgh

What no hottie? Joking my brother!

Great thread sc29! Im F'n pumped!

Here We Steelers Here We Go!
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Props to Lyasr529 on the sweet sig!

steelcurtain29 · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 32635 Location: Monongahela, PA

waffles7 · Joined: 18 Feb 2010 Posts: 3681 Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Nice job SC29! This was probably the most intersting write ups so far this season, IMO! Idk if its due to how bad I want to reem the ravens or what but I loved it

Nice work man Cool

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SteelProven · Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 9:58 pm Post subject:

Another interesting fact I found out is that the Steelers are undefeated against divisional opponents dating back to the 70's.

The Steelers haven't given up a 100 yd rusher in 50 games, the last player to do so was Ray Rice.

On a bad note the Steelers vaunted defense has give up a avg of 21 pts per game in the last 10 playoff games.

In the 3 playoff appearance Troy Polamalu has he's gotten at least 1 INT in every divisional game.
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Irish 11 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 8114 Location: Steelers Nation

My birthday is Friday. Can't think of a better present than a ratbird stomping on Saturday. The boys better win this one or my life will be hell until June.
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waffles7 · Joined: 18 Feb 2010 Posts: 3681 Location: Cleveland, Ohio

stefan52268 · Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Posts: 6500 Location: Pittsburgh

Irish 11 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 8114 Location: Steelers Nation

BigSnack · Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 571

my boys 2nd B-day is on saturday. The day i brought him home from the hospital was about 20 mins before kickoff for the afc championship 2 years ago. He never cried or made a fuss and at a couple days old was awake the entire game.

He loves football and will choose to watch it over toons so for his birthday party we rescheduled it for earlier in the day cuz he would be pissed if he was not allowed to watch the game for some stupid cake and presents. As you can tell I am a very PROUD PAPA!!
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panda51988 · Joined: 22 Jun 2009 Posts: 507 Location: pittsburgh

whats up with all the Bdays this week! everybody here, my moms, my brothers, a friend(today), an uncle(today). come to think of it, i know of at least 3 more family member/friends birthdays this month?

anyway, lets just hope scott can play better, i honestly would rather have essucks start over him. our lines, both D and O will be key. also letting harrison go after flacco...

maybe a trick play early? i am sure teams are ready for the ARE-ward bomb, but it still could be affective. getting points and stopping them early before both teams are beat and tired is important as well.

i take it A.smith is a for sure no for this game?

whit09 · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 7:01 am Post subject:

Newsflash: Lightning strikes Ray Lewis while traveling back to Baltimore on a giant Raven.

He just couldn't drop the Old Spice.
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...Thanks to UofMfan909

SteelerPR · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 1113

IMO, the Steelers will go after Flacco early and often. They will try to take away his dump passes to the RB/TE, as they did in the last game. There will be a lot of pressure on Steelers' DBs. I see their play as the key to the game.

The Steelers will also make adjustments to help out J. Scott against Suggs. They should go no huddle and with underneath routes to eat up the clock and get the Balt D tire.

Steelers 27
Ravens 17

If by any chance the Refs decide to continue the trend of bad calls and take the Steelers out of playoffs, then, the Steelers will have the draft selection prior to the Ravens. Very Happy

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"If you think you are too small to make a difference, you have never been in bed with a mosquito." Anita Roddick

Flaccomania · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 16543 Location: Parkville, MD

Flaccomania · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 16543 Location: Parkville, MD

Like you all have said, the key is to get to Flacco early and often. Our OL hasn't been able to block anything recently, specifically Oher. It's definitely a scary thing. The one consolation I have is that we obviously know each other inside and out, and they have played relatively well against you all this year.

I think for us offensively, it will come down to Cam calling plays to beat the blitz. Your corners are the weak spot, and if we can get those quick screens out to Q, misdirections with Stallworth, Rice screens, etc, hopefully you all won't be able to pin your ears back. I still think spreading our offense and running out of a shotgun formation is what is best for us as it will keep 92, 56 and 43 at bay, while softening the LOS for Rice to run some draws through. Also, it will keep Flacco from having to do anything other than ensure he's not going to get sack/stripped. No dropping back, just catch, analyze and fire.

Defensively, I think we need to continue being aggressive. Suggs has been a force lately, and we know how Scott struggles. You all will likely help chip Suggs, but that means we have an extra defender somewhere. I think Wilson can handle his own against Ward, and we need Ed to nearly shadow Wallace. He will be the one who breaks this game open if it does indeed occur.

As always, it's going to come down to a FG. I just hope we are on the winning end of it Smile

No matter the hate, I respect the Steelers more than any other team in the NFL. I'm just hoping no matter the outcome, injuries are little so that the Patriots/Jets get an easy path to the SB.
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Why not Michael Jordan?