***Official*** Ravens-Steelers Week 16 Thread (1 Viewer)

[The_Man]

The Ravens have won their last two games by a combined 79-10, but did so against weak NFC North teams. Meahwhile, the Steelers ended their 5-game skid with a miracle win over a Green Bay team that dominated the Ravens three weeks ago.

Now, it's the NFL's most physical rivalry, packing perhaps the most personal animosity between two teams. If the Ravens win, they're as good as in and looking very good for the #5 seed (with an outside chance to steal the AFC North if Cincy can't take care of business at home vs. KC). If the Steelers win, they're very much alive and looking good to pull out a miracle playoff berth if they can also win at Miami next week.

Looking forward to a great week of talk and a great game. Any chance this one gets moved out of the 1 p.m. time slot? Going to be at the in-laws in Boston after Christmas, and don't want to have to go to a sports bar to watch, as there will probably be just a few more Steelers fans than Ravens fans anywhere I go.

 

[roadkill1292]

Yesterday's miracle win showed just how dangerous the Stillers remain. I think the Ratbirds can get to Ben, but I don't know if they can get him down before he makes a play. Ravens struggled in Baltimore against the third string QB; I don't have much confidence that they can beat the Stillers in Pittsburgh with Ben going.

It would be just like those scoundrels to then lay an egg in Miami in Week 17 and keep Baltimore out of the playoffs.

 

[The_Man]

Yesterday's miracle win showed just how dangerous the Stillers remain. I think the Ratbirds can get to Ben, but I don't know if they can get him down before he makes a play. Ravens struggled in Baltimore against the third string QB; I don't have much confidence that they can beat the Stillers in Pittsburgh with Ben going.

It would be just like those scoundrels to then lay an egg in Miami in Week 17 and keep Baltimore out of the playoffs.

I know there are still tons of scenarios, but even at 9-7 I think the Ravens make it under most realistic scenarios, except if the Dolphins win out. I'm starting to think that the Steelers win out, and they and the Ravens both get Wild Cards (with the Ravens at #5, thinks to better divisional record). Ravens-Bengals and Steelers-Patriots would be a couple of great games. In that scenario, I'd be rooting for the Steelers to win 2 (knocking off Indy in the second round), because that's the only scenario where the Ravens could host the AFC Championship.Gotta get to the playoffs first, though, before I start making plans to host the AFCC as a #5 seed.

 

[roadkill1292]

Yesterday's miracle win showed just how dangerous the Stillers remain. I think the Ratbirds can get to Ben, but I don't know if they can get him down before he makes a play. Ravens struggled in Baltimore against the third string QB; I don't have much confidence that they can beat the Stillers in Pittsburgh with Ben going.

It would be just like those scoundrels to then lay an egg in Miami in Week 17 and keep Baltimore out of the playoffs.

I know there are still tons of scenarios, but even at 9-7 I think the Ravens make it under most realistic scenarios, except if the Dolphins win out. I'm starting to think that the Steelers win out, and they and the Ravens both get Wild Cards (with the Ravens at #5, thinks to better divisional record). Ravens-Bengals and Steelers-Patriots would be a couple of great games. In that scenario, I'd be rooting for the Steelers to win 2 (knocking off Indy in the second round), because that's the only scenario where the Ravens could host the AFC Championship.Gotta get to the playoffs first, though, before I start making plans to host the AFCC as a #5 seed.

I have to think that the Pittsburgh-Miami game is pretty close to call. That one may be winner in, loser out. There are other scenarios involving the Jets, for example, but if the Stillers win this week, it pretty much comes down to their game with the Fins (assuming Balt. takes care of business in Oakland -- not the gimme it was 2 months ago).

 

[Chase Stuart]

Here we go Stillers, here we go.

 

[The_Man]

I have to think that the Pittsburgh-Miami game is pretty close to call. That one may be winner in, loser out. There are other scenarios involving the Jets, for example, but if the Stillers win this week, it pretty much comes down to their game with the Fins (assuming Balt. takes care of business in Oakland -- not the gimme it was 2 months ago).

If the Stillers beat GB and Baltimore in consecutive weeks, I like their chances at Miami. I think Pittsburgh matches up well vs. the Fins, as they will shut down the run and force them to pass. Going to be a crazy couple of weeks. I thought Webb did an amazing job vs. Hines (who was injured) a few weeks ago, allowing them to give help on Holmes. Will be a huge loss for the Ravens if he is out. That being said, I think Foxworth has been a lot better than people have made him out to be this year. I also think the secondary is playing much more solid football without Reed back there -- he just freelances all the time and leaves the Ravens' shaky CBs out to dry.Would love to see him come back healthy, but also willing to play within the scheme. That's what made him so amazing down the stretch last year (that, and the pass rush, which we aren't going to have this year).

 

[Godsbrother]

I am absolutely thrilled with the Steelers victory over the Packers yesterday. It was a great game to attend and the best part of all is makes going to the next one worthwhile. Whether they make the playoffs or not the Steelers are not going to host a playoff game.

With the win yesterday the game this week is essentially a home playoff game -- awesome!

 

[Godsbrother]

I have to think that the Pittsburgh-Miami game is pretty close to call. That one may be winner in, loser out. There are other scenarios involving the Jets, for example, but if the Stillers win this week, it pretty much comes down to their game with the Fins (assuming Balt. takes care of business in Oakland -- not the gimme it was 2 months ago).

If the Stillers beat GB and Baltimore in consecutive weeks, I like their chances at Miami. I think Pittsburgh matches up well vs. the Fins, as they will shut down the run and force them to pass.

Possibly, but the Steelers did a poor job against the wildcat when they played Cleveland.

 

[The_Man]

I have to think that the Pittsburgh-Miami game is pretty close to call. That one may be winner in, loser out. There are other scenarios involving the Jets, for example, but if the Stillers win this week, it pretty much comes down to their game with the Fins (assuming Balt. takes care of business in Oakland -- not the gimme it was 2 months ago).

If the Stillers beat GB and Baltimore in consecutive weeks, I like their chances at Miami. I think Pittsburgh matches up well vs. the Fins, as they will shut down the run and force them to pass.

Possibly, but the Steelers did a poor job against the wildcat when they played Cleveland.

Steelers did a poor job of everything vs. Cleveland.Basically, even if the Ravens lose to Pittsburgh, they're still in as long as they beat Oakland and Miami loses one game. Hard to believe that I could well be a huge Steelers fan in Week 17.

 

[hoopvillian]

Does Ray Rice torch Pitt? Their defense has been soft lately but I'm guessing he gets contained.

 

[Godsbrother]

Does Ray Rice torch Pitt? Their defense has been soft lately but I'm guessing he gets contained.

They may contain him as far as rushing yards go but Rice will get his receiving yards. The screen pass has worked remarkably well against the Steelers defense this year and Rice burned them on a big one in the last meeting.If you have Rice (as I do) I wouldn't hesitate to start him against the Steelers.

 

[The_Man]

Any word on Troy's health yet? Ravens take a huge hit with the announcement that rookie CB Ladarius Webb is now out for the season. He had moved into the starting lineup vs. 2-WR formations, and was covering the slot in 3-WR sets (which is huge vs. Pittsburgh's' bunch formations). He made Ward disappear in their first meeting.

Now, they're going to have garbage like Frank Walker out there on the corner, just like in last year's AFCC. Ravens have lost Samari Rolle, Fabian Washington, and now Webb for the season. Going to be ugly with the #5 CB on the depth chart out there.

 

[roadkill1292]

Any word on Troy's health yet? Ravens take a huge hit with the announcement that rookie CB Ladarius Webb is now out for the season. He had moved into the starting lineup vs. 2-WR formations, and was covering the slot in 3-WR sets (which is huge vs. Pittsburgh's' bunch formations). He made Ward disappear in their first meeting.Now, they're going to have garbage like Frank Walker out there on the corner, just like in last year's AFCC. Ravens have lost Samari Rolle, Fabian Washington, and now Webb for the season. Going to be ugly with the #5 CB on the depth chart out there.

Local radio was speculating yesterday that Corey Ivy and Chris McAlister might be called on. It's gonna look like that Monday night game a couple of years ago when Ben tossed about five TDs. Is Ed Reed still out, too? Ugh.

 

[Godsbrother]

Any word on Troy's health yet? Ravens take a huge hit with the announcement that rookie CB Ladarius Webb is now out for the season. He had moved into the starting lineup vs. 2-WR formations, and was covering the slot in 3-WR sets (which is huge vs. Pittsburgh's' bunch formations). He made Ward disappear in their first meeting.Now, they're going to have garbage like Frank Walker out there on the corner, just like in last year's AFCC. Ravens have lost Samari Rolle, Fabian Washington, and now Webb for the season. Going to be ugly with the #5 CB on the depth chart out there.

Tomlin said today that Polamalu was getting an MRI this afternoon and that if the results were good he could play this week. I think it is still an outside shot but this is the first positive news we've heard about Troy for quite a while.

 

[The_Man]

Any word on Troy's health yet? Ravens take a huge hit with the announcement that rookie CB Ladarius Webb is now out for the season. He had moved into the starting lineup vs. 2-WR formations, and was covering the slot in 3-WR sets (which is huge vs. Pittsburgh's' bunch formations). He made Ward disappear in their first meeting.

Now, they're going to have garbage like Frank Walker out there on the corner, just like in last year's AFCC. Ravens have lost Samari Rolle, Fabian Washington, and now Webb for the season. Going to be ugly with the #5 CB on the depth chart out there.

Local radio was speculating yesterday that Corey Ivy and Chris McAlister might be called on. It's gonna look like that Monday night game a couple of years ago when Ben tossed about five TDs. Is Ed Reed still out, too? Ugh.

More like last year's AFC Championship game, I was thinking. They'll give a game effort, but ultimately fall short.I just started a thread over at Sunspot about how well the secondary has played lately, particularly Foxworth. Not what a lot of people want to hear. Just wait until I start my Ed Reed bashing and point out how much better the defense is without him and his injury-induced inability to tackle anyone. Speaking of last year's AFCC, I still haven't gotten over the image of him flailing at Holmes for about 50 yards down the field and never once slowing him down.