On Sunday Night at Heinz Field, the latest chapter of the NFL's most competitive and physical rivalry will write his latest chapter. Over the years the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers have engaged in low scoring affairs but that narrative is starting to change. Last December's week 14 match up which ended in a 39-38 victory for the Steelers was the highest scoring game ever the two teams and there is no evidence that the trend will not continue.
The Ravens have the league's fifth highest scoring offense at 3.3 points per game while the Steelers are seventh at 29.3. As a testament of how competitive this game as become these two teams have competed in 13 games that were Decided by tree points per less dating back to 2008, including the playoffs. So expect this will be more likely than not a nail-biting, heart stopping affair no matter if it is a defensive slugfest or a high flying matchup in a suddenly ultra competative AFC North.
Pittsburgh Steelers Enemy Intel: Baltimore Ravens
Offense
Joe Flacco has new weapons at wide reciever in Michael Crabtree, Willie Snead and John Brown. Crabtree had 15 catches and scores so far on the young season, and Snead abd Brown each has 12 catches and a touchdown.
The running game has not been nearly as effective only averaging 3.2 yards per rush which is 31st in the NFL (only ahead of Tampa Bay) but they use first-round pick QB Lamar Jackson as a running threat in exotic formations to keep defenses honest and they have stayed committed to the run with 84 attempts which is ninth in the NFL.
The game plan for the Ravens is for offensive coordinator Marty Morningwieg is to draw up opportunities for Flacco to get the ball down the field to get the chunk plays that the Steelers are known for giving up. The Steelers have given up a league high 14 plays of 20 or more yards.
Defense
The Ravens come into Sunday night with the leagues top defense in yards allowed and second in passing yards allowed, They are accomplishing this feat in the absence of C.J. Mosley who was out if the line up last week and Jimmy Smith who is serving a four game suspension for PED use. In the absence of Smith, 2017 first round draft pick Marlon Humphrey will get the assignment by new defensive coordinator Don Martindale to shadow Antonio Brown.
The Ravens game plan will be to stop Ben Roethisberger who is averaging 304 yards passing against them in their last six meetings. Baltimore's main stalwart of this defense remains Terrell Suggs, who has sacked Ben 11.5 times over his career and also has proven that he is still productive in 2018 recording 2 1/2 sacks on the young season.
Special Teams Notes
K Justin Tucker holds the career field goal percentage record at 90%
P Sam Koch holds the franchises career punting average mark at 45.2 yards per punt
The Ravens had a punt and a field goal blocked against them last Sunday against the Broncos.
Prediction
In a series usually dominated by the home tea m the trend will continue as the Steelers will win a tight close game with a Chris Boswell field goal making a difference in a coin flip game. Steelers 27, Ravens 24.
@bwalkerdadon
