Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
Post your pre-game comments and thoughts here. Enjoy.
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
***Pre-Game Thread*** Baltimore at Pittsburgh (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Jeff Pasquino
- Start date
Bottomfeeder Sports
Footballguy
CBS must be thrilled with their selection of games next week.
Dr. Gobbler
Footballguy
Going to be a great game!!! Ravens by 10.
EBF
Footballguy
Two great teams. Either one can win.
Having said that, today's blowout win over a paper tiger Chiefs team doesn't answer any of my questions about Baltimore's ability to win critical games against elite competition. I still see Flacco as the type of QB who will melt down and make critical mistakes under pressure. Maybe he'll prove me wrong this year.
Steelers are my pick to represent the AFC in the big one, so I guess I'd lean towards them.
Having said that, today's blowout win over a paper tiger Chiefs team doesn't answer any of my questions about Baltimore's ability to win critical games against elite competition. I still see Flacco as the type of QB who will melt down and make critical mistakes under pressure. Maybe he'll prove me wrong this year.
Steelers are my pick to represent the AFC in the big one, so I guess I'd lean towards them.
timschochet
Footballguy
When's the last time Baltimore ever beat the Steelers in the playoffs, when it truly mattered?
Here's a hint: never.
Here's a hint: never.
identikit
Footballguy
So they're due...
Bottomfeeder Sports
Footballguy
Bottomfeeder Sports
Footballguy
CrossEyed
Footballguy
I remember that. My parents drove down to Baltimore for that game.
steelcityman
Footballguy
The War on the North Shore.
grab your boots and hold on tight.
grab your boots and hold on tight.
steelcityman
Footballguy
Slightly different in KC than it will be in Pit. Berry is going to be good, but he is not Troy P.
Last edited by a moderator:
Tom Servo
Nittany Beavers
You do realize that took place on 33rd Street in Baltimore?
Tom Servo
Nittany Beavers
So you're saying there's a chance?
The_Man
Footballguy
It's still early and I've heard some whispers that there were some meaningful Ravens injuries yesterday, but I feel like Baltimore has got a very real chance in this game. I hope the Ravens will come out free-wheeling and not hunker down into a self-fulfilling prophecy of a gameplan that it's going to be a low-scoring, grind-it-out kind of game that precludes them from throwing like they did yesterday vs. KC.
I will say that the Ravens O line is a huge disappointment - they struggle horribly in pass protection, and can't open holes for the running game. The key will be for Flacco to protect the ball when he's being sacked (which he will be, often) and not fumble it. But when the Chiefs took away Flacco's favorite play of throwing comebacks to Mason on the outside, the Ravens were as inventive and capable as they've been all season in hitting Boldin and Heap across the middle. Heap was hurt on the very first play of the last Steelers game, and his healthy return changes this match-up significantly. Also, the Ravens have been able to get pressure on Ben with a four-man rush - that will be huge if they can continue. By far, the player that scares me most in this game is Wallace. Baltimore's defensive speed is pretty poor and if Ed Reed gambles (as he will, often) to try to poach a pass to Miller or Ward underneath, I can see Ben sustaining a play with his legs and hitting Wallace after he gets behind Reed deep.
Kind of quiet in this thread -- and it really does feel like there's not a lot to say. These two teams know each other so well and know what kind of game it's going to be. I will say that I like the turn this rivalry has taken under Tomlin and Harbaugh. There used to be so much garbage talk on both sides. In recent years, the animosity has seemingly been somewhat replaced with total respect -- it's almost like there's no need for trash talk, because both teams know they and their opponent are both going to bring maximum effort on every single play. I'm just glad it's the first game of the weekend - this week is going to go by slow enough as it is.
I will say that the Ravens O line is a huge disappointment - they struggle horribly in pass protection, and can't open holes for the running game. The key will be for Flacco to protect the ball when he's being sacked (which he will be, often) and not fumble it. But when the Chiefs took away Flacco's favorite play of throwing comebacks to Mason on the outside, the Ravens were as inventive and capable as they've been all season in hitting Boldin and Heap across the middle. Heap was hurt on the very first play of the last Steelers game, and his healthy return changes this match-up significantly. Also, the Ravens have been able to get pressure on Ben with a four-man rush - that will be huge if they can continue. By far, the player that scares me most in this game is Wallace. Baltimore's defensive speed is pretty poor and if Ed Reed gambles (as he will, often) to try to poach a pass to Miller or Ward underneath, I can see Ben sustaining a play with his legs and hitting Wallace after he gets behind Reed deep.
Kind of quiet in this thread -- and it really does feel like there's not a lot to say. These two teams know each other so well and know what kind of game it's going to be. I will say that I like the turn this rivalry has taken under Tomlin and Harbaugh. There used to be so much garbage talk on both sides. In recent years, the animosity has seemingly been somewhat replaced with total respect -- it's almost like there's no need for trash talk, because both teams know they and their opponent are both going to bring maximum effort on every single play. I'm just glad it's the first game of the weekend - this week is going to go by slow enough as it is.
Black&Gold
Footballguy
If these two teams were playing for the Super Bowl and the last game of the season....I'd really like the Steelers chances. My only worry is that this is going to be such a dogfight that the Steelers won't have enough left to win in Foxboro. I like the Steelers this week and then root for the Jets.
Frenchy Fuqua
Footballguy
I think we'll see more points in this game than the usual 17-14 game. I was impressed with Flacco's accuracy in the short/mid-range game yesterday. He made some big 3rd down conversions to Rice & Heap. Likewise I think Ben is getting more comfortable using Wallace, Sanders and Brown in the Steelers short passing game.
I think the Steelers have an edge at QB, D and with homefield but one area that concerns me is field position...the Ravens hold a big edge on special teams. Cundiff is a touchback every time and Koch is a machine at putting punts inside the ten.
I think the Steelers have an edge at QB, D and with homefield but one area that concerns me is field position...the Ravens hold a big edge on special teams. Cundiff is a touchback every time and Koch is a machine at putting punts inside the ten.
Last edited by a moderator:
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
Yeah the Steelers pretty much always lose the field position battle. Do you think they use the squib kick strategy that they used against Cleveland?
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
WORLD WAR IX!!!Not lookinf forward to facing the Ravens a team I respect but hate
If the Ravens beat us, I want them to win it all.
The_Man
Footballguy
I would doubt it - rookie David Reed had a decent season, highlighted by his kickoff return TD at Houston, but he is very questionable. He can't play without a brace on his wrist and can't carry the ball in his left hand, so the Ravens are pretty doubtful about using him. He was inactive vs. KC. Jalen Parmele has been nothing special at all on kickoff returns in his place - certainly nowhere near the level of meriting a squib kick like Cribbs was.
This is the game I am most looking forward to seeing this weekend. I respect both teams but think that Pittsburgh is the better team. Their D is superior to Baltimore's and I think that they also have more weapons offensively. Mike Wallace is better than any receiver on the Ravens roster and with Sanders (who is very underrated despite being a rookie) almost a guaranteed reception everytime the ball is thrown his way, the Steelers have the edge in the passing game. There won't be a lot of room for Rice to run and Flacco will be running for his life with the O-Line he's got "protecting" him. My biggest conern however is that this game will be so physical that Pittsburgh won't be in any shape to play the Patriots.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
I cannot see Baltimore coming into Heinz Field and winning twice in the same calendar year. Particularly with Roethlisberger playing this time and on a short week. Ben pretty much owns them(7-2 regular season when he starts, both losses back in '06, and 1-0 in the playoffs).
That said, the "bad" thing for whichever team wins this game......they are going to be beat to HELL come the next round. Will make the AFCC all the more interesting whoever ulitmately meets New England(who I can't see losing to the Jets).
That said, the "bad" thing for whichever team wins this game......they are going to be beat to HELL come the next round. Will make the AFCC all the more interesting whoever ulitmately meets New England(who I can't see losing to the Jets).
Last edited by a moderator:
The_Man
Footballguy
This seems to be the conventional wisdom of the day. I'm not really buying it -- are we to believe that the punishment these two teams inflict on each other will be that much more intense than what the Jets might do to New England?After the first game, at Pittsburgh, the Ravens won their next game 31-17 vs. Denver (albeit at home) and then led at New England 20-10 in the fourth quarter before their offense stalled and they lsot 23-20 in overtime. I would argue that bad coaching had much more of an impact than being beat up from two weeks previously. The Steelers won their next game vs. CLE 28-10 (also at home) then went on the road eked out a sketchy win over Miami.After the second game, at Baltimore, the Ravens went on the road the following week and won at Houston. Yes, they did look pretty gassed at the very end of that game, so maybe there was a hangover. But they were also winning like 21-3 in the second half, so they didn't seem too beat up. Then they beat New Orleans the next week, and have in fact been on a 5-game winning streak since the last game with the Steelers. The Steelers beat Cincy the following week, then lost to the Jets -- again, I don't know if you can say there would be a two-week residual effect from playing the Ravens.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
The anticipation for this game is off the charts. Thankfully I'll be in Vegas starting on Thursday to help ease some of that tension............... 
CrossEyed
Footballguy
Yes.
Black&Gold
Footballguy
This isn't going to be your Pittsburgh/Baltimore "regular season" game. Playoffs are for blood.
Bottomfeeder Sports
Footballguy
Yes that happened in 1976 in Baltimore at Memorial Stadium a few minutes after the game. This event is more or less a joke today because the Steelers dominated and the stands were empty when it happened. Imagine how we might remember this if the game was close or the Colts had won and a plane, admittedly a small plane falls into a crowded upper deck. If I'm not mistaken the Baltimore Colts were 0-2 (Dec 1975 and 1976) versus Pittsburgh in the playoffs and the Ravens are also 0-2 (January 2002 and 2009) in the playoffs. Baltimore fans have had to make sacrifices for the larger good in these four games, but now...
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
I tend to agree. Plus, the winner has 8+ days to get ready for next weeks game.
Terps2002
Footballguy
Only things a true Raven fan and true Steeler fan will agree about; we hate and respect the hell out of each other and it is without a doubt the most physical game you'll have the privileged to watch.If the Jets do happen to pull the upset, the winner of the Ravens/ Steelers game would get the AFC game at their house.
CrossEyed
Footballguy
That championship game a couple years ago was one of the hardest hitting games I've ever seen.
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
I think we can all also agree this weekend.....J.E.T.S. JETS JETS JETS!
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Two evenly matched teams - so much so that the game will likely be decided by which team gets a few lucky bounces or makes a big play at an opportune time (see Flacco-Housh in the first game, Polamalu in the second.)
I believe the pass rush on both sides of the ball will be the difference in the game. How well will the interior line for Pittsburgh handle Ngata (or the second string tackle, if they move Ngata outside)? If he's able to penetrate and flush the pocket quickly, it will allow Suggs and co. to get to Roethlisberger. That poses a wealth of problems, sacks being the least of them. Although he's been more careful with the ball this year, we all know Ben has a propensity for trying to force plays on occasion, which can be death with a healthy Ed Reed in the secondary. If the Ravens can get pressure with 4, it will enable them to double cover Wallace without leaving any huge coverage gaps and the Steelers will struggle to move the football.
Likewise, we all know the Steelers' primary order of business on defense is shutting down the run. Rice has done squat against the Steelers this year, with 52 yards on only 17 carries in two close games. Baltimore knows they need to get ahead early if they want to be able to run the football, and that the passing attack is their opportunity to gash the Pittsburgh D. If Flacco has all day to throw, he has the weapons in Mason, Heap, Boldin, etc to pick up yardage in chunks. But even more importantly, Flacco has shown a troubling tendency to put the ball on the ground when hit. I think his biggest weakness as a QB at this point in his career is his awareness of the rush and ability to hold on to the football. Not only will generating pressure lessen opportunities down the field for Baltimore, it will provide chances for the Steelers to turn the ball over defensively. In what figures to be a close, relatively low-scoring game, one turnover can easily be the difference between the AFCC and a corner table at Applebees watching the game.
Both teams have multiple splash play guys on defense, but the Steelers, IMO, have more on offense. Rice is probably a better back than Mendenhall, but it's close. QB, Ben gets a significant edge over Flacco, and despite the names on the Ravens receiving corps, I'd still take Wallace, Ward, Sanders, Miller, and El in a game where 1-2 big plays could decide it.
Pittsburgh wins 20-17 and heads to Foxborough next weekend.
I believe the pass rush on both sides of the ball will be the difference in the game. How well will the interior line for Pittsburgh handle Ngata (or the second string tackle, if they move Ngata outside)? If he's able to penetrate and flush the pocket quickly, it will allow Suggs and co. to get to Roethlisberger. That poses a wealth of problems, sacks being the least of them. Although he's been more careful with the ball this year, we all know Ben has a propensity for trying to force plays on occasion, which can be death with a healthy Ed Reed in the secondary. If the Ravens can get pressure with 4, it will enable them to double cover Wallace without leaving any huge coverage gaps and the Steelers will struggle to move the football.
Likewise, we all know the Steelers' primary order of business on defense is shutting down the run. Rice has done squat against the Steelers this year, with 52 yards on only 17 carries in two close games. Baltimore knows they need to get ahead early if they want to be able to run the football, and that the passing attack is their opportunity to gash the Pittsburgh D. If Flacco has all day to throw, he has the weapons in Mason, Heap, Boldin, etc to pick up yardage in chunks. But even more importantly, Flacco has shown a troubling tendency to put the ball on the ground when hit. I think his biggest weakness as a QB at this point in his career is his awareness of the rush and ability to hold on to the football. Not only will generating pressure lessen opportunities down the field for Baltimore, it will provide chances for the Steelers to turn the ball over defensively. In what figures to be a close, relatively low-scoring game, one turnover can easily be the difference between the AFCC and a corner table at Applebees watching the game.
Both teams have multiple splash play guys on defense, but the Steelers, IMO, have more on offense. Rice is probably a better back than Mendenhall, but it's close. QB, Ben gets a significant edge over Flacco, and despite the names on the Ravens receiving corps, I'd still take Wallace, Ward, Sanders, Miller, and El in a game where 1-2 big plays could decide it.
Pittsburgh wins 20-17 and heads to Foxborough next weekend.
Tom Servo
Nittany Beavers
Take your shtick to the FFA.WORLD WAR IX!!!Not lookinf forward to facing the Ravens a team I respect but hate
Tom Servo
Nittany Beavers
I took it you thought this happened in Pittsburgh. Wasn't Bert Jones the QB of the Colts back then? :showingage:Anyhow, the game will be intense and brutal. That's all I've got.
Bottomfeeder Sports
Footballguy
Yes, in the 75 and 76 playoff games with the Colts had Bert Jones at QB.
Idiot Boxer
Footballguy
I think the Steelers win a close game at Heinz. Heap, imo, is the biggest threat to that.That said, if, in some unimaginable corner of the universe, Baltimore wins this game...I am fairly certain I would much rather they play in the Super Bowl than New England or the Jets.Take your shtick to the FFA.WORLD WAR IX!!!Not lookinf forward to facing the Ravens a team I respect but hate
If the Ravens beat us, I want them to win it all.
by_the_sea_wannabe
:sj:
X 3If the Ravens beat us, I want them to win it allI think the Steelers win a close game at Heinz. Heap, imo, is the biggest threat to that.That said, if, in some unimaginable corner of the universe, Baltimore wins this game...I am fairly certain I would much rather they play in the Super Bowl than New England or the Jets.Take your shtick to the FFA.WORLD WAR IX!!!Not lookinf forward to facing the Ravens a team I respect but hate
If the Ravens beat us, I want them to win it all.
Idiot Boxer
Footballguy
Haven't decided if I'd root for them in the Superbowl, but I'd certainly root for them over the Pats or Jets.X 3If the Ravens beat us, I want them to win it allI think the Steelers win a close game at Heinz. Heap, imo, is the biggest threat to that.That said, if, in some unimaginable corner of the universe, Baltimore wins this game...I am fairly certain I would much rather they play in the Super Bowl than New England or the Jets.Take your shtick to the FFA.WORLD WAR IX!!!Not lookinf forward to facing the Ravens a team I respect but hate
CrossEyed
Footballguy
I'll be pulling for the Ravens in the AFCC if they beat the Steelers, but I'm not sure I can be behind them in the SB. Unless they are playing Seattle.I think the Steelers win a close game at Heinz. Heap, imo, is the biggest threat to that.That said, if, in some unimaginable corner of the universe, Baltimore wins this game...I am fairly certain I would much rather they play in the Super Bowl than New England or the Jets.Take your shtick to the FFA.WORLD WAR IX!!!Not lookinf forward to facing the Ravens a team I respect but hate
CrossEyed
Footballguy
Tomlin was in rare form at Monday's press conference
Baltimore D is "very ball aware" and "a really salty group"
Punter specializes in "red area punts"
Flacco is "not a lawn deer"
Baltimore D is "very ball aware" and "a really salty group"
Punter specializes in "red area punts"
Flacco is "not a lawn deer"
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
I can't stomach the thought of any of those 3 teams in the Super Bowl. If it wasn't going to be Pittsburgh, I'd rather have seen Indy or Kansas City (especially the latter.) Alas.....I think the Steelers win a close game at Heinz. Heap, imo, is the biggest threat to that.That said, if, in some unimaginable corner of the universe, Baltimore wins this game...I am fairly certain I would much rather they play in the Super Bowl than New England or the Jets.Take your shtick to the FFA.WORLD WAR IX!!!Not lookinf forward to facing the Ravens a team I respect but hate
Idiot Boxer
Footballguy
Well, sure...but that's not an option now, is it? I guess we better make sure it's Pittsburgh.I can't stomach the thought of any of those 3 teams in the Super Bowl. If it wasn't going to be Pittsburgh, I'd rather have seen Indy or Kansas City (especially the latter.) Alas.....I think the Steelers win a close game at Heinz. Heap, imo, is the biggest threat to that.That said, if, in some unimaginable corner of the universe, Baltimore wins this game...I am fairly certain I would much rather they play in the Super Bowl than New England or the Jets.Take your shtick to the FFA.WORLD WAR IX!!!Not lookinf forward to facing the Ravens a team I respect but hate
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
What are you proposing? :castsfurtiveglancearoundtheroom:
Idiot Boxer
Footballguy
Get your crowbar. We're headed to B'more.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
utsawaysniperrifle:Similar threads
