Steelers vs. Ravens (1 Viewer)

[timschochet]

Of course its not the greatest rivalry of all time, but it is the best NFL rivalry in the last several years. Two relevant teams always in the playoff hunt. They both play very physical football. They hate each other. Two great defenses. What's not to love?

As a Steeler fan, I take a great amount of satisfaction that when it matters, either for the division championship or in the playoffs, Pittsburgh has been triumphant. The Ravens can't seem to beat the Steelers when it matters. I think there is one major reason for this: Roethlisberger >>>> Flacco. Joe is a good QB and perhaps he will become a great one, but he hasn't yet. Against the Raven defense, Big Ben gets it done. Against the Steeler defense, Flacco can't get it done. It's that simple.

Expecting another great, close game this weekend. And a Pittsburgh victory.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Of course its not the greatest rivalry of all time, but it is the best NFL rivalry in the last several years. Two relevant teams always in the playoff hunt. They both play very physical football. They hate each other. Two great defenses. What's not to love?As a Steeler fan, I take a great amount of satisfaction that when it matters, either for the division championship or in the playoffs, Pittsburgh has been triumphant. The Ravens can't seem to beat the Steelers when it matters. I think there is one major reason for this: Roethlisberger >>>> Flacco. Joe is a good QB and perhaps he will become a great one, but he hasn't yet. Against the Raven defense, Big Ben gets it done. Against the Steeler defense, Flacco can't get it done. It's that simple. Expecting another great, close game this weekend. And a Pittsburgh victory.

I certainly can't think of a better rivalry at this time. Maybe the Jets/Pats is close?

 

[timschochet]

Of course its not the greatest rivalry of all time, but it is the best NFL rivalry in the last several years. Two relevant teams always in the playoff hunt. They both play very physical football. They hate each other. Two great defenses. What's not to love?As a Steeler fan, I take a great amount of satisfaction that when it matters, either for the division championship or in the playoffs, Pittsburgh has been triumphant. The Ravens can't seem to beat the Steelers when it matters. I think there is one major reason for this: Roethlisberger >>>> Flacco. Joe is a good QB and perhaps he will become a great one, but he hasn't yet. Against the Raven defense, Big Ben gets it done. Against the Steeler defense, Flacco can't get it done. It's that simple. Expecting another great, close game this weekend. And a Pittsburgh victory.

I certainly can't think of a better rivalry at this time. Maybe the Jets/Pats is close?

Only the last couple of years, since Ryan got there. But I still don't think it's as good. The Steeler/Raven rivalry has been great since 2000.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Against the Raven defense, Big Ben gets it done. Against the Steeler defense, Flacco can't get it done. It's that simple. Expecting another great, close game this weekend. And a Pittsburgh victory.

Not sure that's a good description: seems like Pitt wins whenever they hold Baltimore to under 21 points.

Year  G Date        Opp  Result   Cmp  Att  Cmp%   Yds  TD Int  Rate   Y/A  AY/A  2010 12 2010-12-05  BAL  W 13-10   22  38  57.9%   253   1   1  75.9  6.66  6.00 2009 15 2009-12-27  BAL  W 23-20   17  33  51.5%   259   1   1  75.2  7.85  7.09  2008 14 2008-12-14  BAL  W 13- 9   22  40  55.0%   246   1   0  81.9  6.15  6.652008  4 2008-09-29  BAL  W 23-20   14  24  58.3%   191   1   1  80.4  7.96  6.92 2007  8 2007-11-05  BAL  W 38- 7   13  16  81.3%   209   5   0 158.3 13.06 19.31  2006 15 2006-12-24  BAL  L  7-31   15  31  48.4%   156   1   2  47.2  5.03  2.77  2006 11 2006-11-26  BAL  L  0-27   21  41  51.2%   214   0   2  46.2  5.22  3.02 2005  7 2005-10-31  BAL  W 20-19   18  30  60.0%   177   2   1  85.0  5.90  5.73 2004 15 2004-12-26  BAL  W 20- 7   14  19  73.7%   221   2   1 125.1 11.63 11.37

 

[infantsam]

Against the Raven defense, Big Ben gets it done. Against the Steeler defense, Flacco can't get it done. It's that simple. Expecting another great, close game this weekend. And a Pittsburgh victory.

Not sure that's a good description: seems like Pitt wins whenever they hold Baltimore to under 21 points.

Year  G Date        Opp  Result   Cmp  Att  Cmp%   Yds  TD Int  Rate   Y/A  AY/A  2010 12 2010-12-05  BAL  W 13-10   22  38  57.9%   253   1   1  75.9  6.66  6.00 2009 15 2009-12-27  BAL  W 23-20   17  33  51.5%   259   1   1  75.2  7.85  7.09  2008 14 2008-12-14  BAL  W 13- 9   22  40  55.0%   246   1   0  81.9  6.15  6.652008  4 2008-09-29  BAL  W 23-20   14  24  58.3%   191   1   1  80.4  7.96  6.92 2007  8 2007-11-05  BAL  W 38- 7   13  16  81.3%   209   5   0 158.3 13.06 19.31  2006 15 2006-12-24  BAL  L  7-31   15  31  48.4%   156   1   2  47.2  5.03  2.77  2006 11 2006-11-26  BAL  L  0-27   21  41  51.2%   214   0   2  46.2  5.22  3.02 2005  7 2005-10-31  BAL  W 20-19   18  30  60.0%   177   2   1  85.0  5.90  5.73 2004 15 2004-12-26  BAL  W 20- 7   14  19  73.7%   221   2   1 125.1 11.63 11.37

Now that's analysis.....Pittsburgh wins when they stop the other team from scoring much.....

 

[Eastwood]

I may be benching Boldin tomorrow because of this rivalry (starting DeAngelo instead)

 

[jurb26]

Looks like the Ravens need to win a few games for this to be a real rivalry....

 

[timschochet]

Against the Raven defense, Big Ben gets it done. Against the Steeler defense, Flacco can't get it done. It's that simple. Expecting another great, close game this weekend. And a Pittsburgh victory.

Not sure that's a good description: seems like Pitt wins whenever they hold Baltimore to under 21 points.

Year  G Date        Opp  Result   Cmp  Att  Cmp%   Yds  TD Int  Rate   Y/A  AY/A  2010 12 2010-12-05  BAL  W 13-10   22  38  57.9%   253   1   1  75.9  6.66  6.00 2009 15 2009-12-27  BAL  W 23-20   17  33  51.5%   259   1   1  75.2  7.85  7.09  2008 14 2008-12-14  BAL  W 13- 9   22  40  55.0%   246   1   0  81.9  6.15  6.652008  4 2008-09-29  BAL  W 23-20   14  24  58.3%   191   1   1  80.4  7.96  6.92 2007  8 2007-11-05  BAL  W 38- 7   13  16  81.3%   209   5   0 158.3 13.06 19.31  2006 15 2006-12-24  BAL  L  7-31   15  31  48.4%   156   1   2  47.2  5.03  2.77  2006 11 2006-11-26  BAL  L  0-27   21  41  51.2%   214   0   2  46.2  5.22  3.02 2005  7 2005-10-31  BAL  W 20-19   18  30  60.0%   177   2   1  85.0  5.90  5.73 2004 15 2004-12-26  BAL  W 20- 7   14  19  73.7%   221   2   1 125.1 11.63 11.37

I freely admit that what I wrote is largely my impression and that I can't back it up with stats. It just seems like when there's a tough 3rd or 4th down with the game in balance, Ben has gotten it done. And Flacco, in the same situation, has not.

 

[richn]

I may be benching Boldin tomorrow because of this rivalry (starting DeAngelo instead)

Ravens only shot is to throw the ball...Boldins the play

 

[ChromeWeasel]

Of course its not the greatest rivalry of all time, but it is the best NFL rivalry in the last several years. Two relevant teams always in the playoff hunt. They both play very physical football. They hate each other. Two great defenses. What's not to love?As a Steeler fan, I take a great amount of satisfaction that when it matters, either for the division championship or in the playoffs, Pittsburgh has been triumphant. The Ravens can't seem to beat the Steelers when it matters. I think there is one major reason for this: Roethlisberger >>>> Flacco. Joe is a good QB and perhaps he will become a great one, but he hasn't yet. Against the Raven defense, Big Ben gets it done. Against the Steeler defense, Flacco can't get it done. It's that simple. Expecting another great, close game this weekend. And a Pittsburgh victory.

I certainly can't think of a better rivalry at this time. Maybe the Jets/Pats is close?

Pats / Jets is a much bigger rivalry nowadays. There is way more smacktalk and media attention, and the clubs are just as good.

 

[Eastwood]

I may be benching Boldin tomorrow because of this rivalry (starting DeAngelo instead)

Ravens only shot is to throw the ball...Boldins the play

True, but same can be said of the Panthers. They sure aren't going to beat Arizona (or anyone else) with Newton's arm.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Of course its not the greatest rivalry of all time, but it is the best NFL rivalry in the last several years. Two relevant teams always in the playoff hunt. They both play very physical football. They hate each other. Two great defenses. What's not to love?

As a Steeler fan, I take a great amount of satisfaction that when it matters, either for the division championship or in the playoffs, Pittsburgh has been triumphant. The Ravens can't seem to beat the Steelers when it matters. I think there is one major reason for this: Roethlisberger >>>> Flacco. Joe is a good QB and perhaps he will become a great one, but he hasn't yet. Against the Raven defense, Big Ben gets it done. Against the Steeler defense, Flacco can't get it done. It's that simple.

Expecting another great, close game this weekend. And a Pittsburgh victory.

I certainly can't think of a better rivalry at this time. Maybe the Jets/Pats is close?

Pats / Jets is a much bigger rivalry nowadays. There is way more smacktalk and media attention, and the clubs are just as good.

Thats because ESPN has had Brady's and Belicheats collective ball sacks in their mouth for the last decade.Although the Jets have had success vs NE, half of their games are still blowouts. Thats a rarity in PIT-BALT games.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Tomorrow should be interesting. Baltimore gets an advantage with home field, but I think its good for Pittsburgh to get this matchup week 1 because of all the new players for Baltimore. 8 new starters, including key offensive players, while the Steelers essentially are bringing back the same team.

 

[richn]

I may be benching Boldin tomorrow because of this rivalry (starting DeAngelo instead)

Ravens only shot is to throw the ball...Boldins the play

True, but same can be said of the Panthers. They sure aren't going to beat Arizona (or anyone else) with Newton's arm.

Who are your other WRs?

 

[pecorino]

i'm bummed this is happening in week 1. just does not feel right. if the steelers come out on top, though, all is fine.

 

[Class Dismissed]

I can't believe that neither NBC or ESPN thought this game worthy of prime time.

How is this game not a national broadcast?

 

[Kenny Powers]

I can't believe that neither NBC or ESPN thought this game worthy of prime time.How is this game not a national broadcast?

Im guessing DAL@NYJ is the night game because of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.And see my above post concerning NE why their game vs MIA is the primetime MNF game.

 

[Eastwood]

I may be benching Boldin tomorrow because of this rivalry (starting DeAngelo instead)

Ravens only shot is to throw the ball...Boldins the play

True, but same can be said of the Panthers. They sure aren't going to beat Arizona (or anyone else) with Newton's arm.

Who are your other WRs?

Starting Calvin, Nicks, and DeSean for sure. Starting MJD and Charles for sure. So final flex is either D-Will, Boldin, Ford, D. Moore, or Little.I did go back and look at Boldin had a nice game vs the Steelers in both games last year for anyone thinking about playing him.

 

[dgreen]

The main problem with this rivalry is that both teams are fairly boring.

 

[crowe1130]

The main problem with this rivalry is that both teams are fairly boring.

I think you may be surprised tomorrow. Both teams' offenses look better than last year, no bad weather, and their defenses may not be as good as in the past.I expect this to be a rare medium-to-high scoring Bal-Pit game.

 

[The Jerk]

Against the Raven defense, Big Ben gets it done. Against the Steeler defense, Flacco can't get it done. It's that simple. Expecting another great, close game this weekend. And a Pittsburgh victory.

Not sure that's a good description: seems like Pitt wins whenever they hold Baltimore to under 21 points.

Year  G Date        Opp  Result   Cmp  Att  Cmp%   Yds  TD Int  Rate   Y/A  AY/A  2010 12 2010-12-05  BAL  W 13-10   22  38  57.9%   253   1   1  75.9  6.66  6.00 2009 15 2009-12-27  BAL  W 23-20   17  33  51.5%   259   1   1  75.2  7.85  7.09  2008 14 2008-12-14  BAL  W 13- 9   22  40  55.0%   246   1   0  81.9  6.15  6.652008  4 2008-09-29  BAL  W 23-20   14  24  58.3%   191   1   1  80.4  7.96  6.92 2007  8 2007-11-05  BAL  W 38- 7   13  16  81.3%   209   5   0 158.3 13.06 19.31  2006 15 2006-12-24  BAL  L  7-31   15  31  48.4%   156   1   2  47.2  5.03  2.77  2006 11 2006-11-26  BAL  L  0-27   21  41  51.2%   214   0   2  46.2  5.22  3.02 2005  7 2005-10-31  BAL  W 20-19   18  30  60.0%   177   2   1  85.0  5.90  5.73 2004 15 2004-12-26  BAL  W 20- 7   14  19  73.7%   221   2   1 125.1 11.63 11.37

I freely admit that what I wrote is largely my impression and that I can't back it up with stats. It just seems like when there's a tough 3rd or 4th down with the game in balance, Ben has gotten it done. And Flacco, in the same situation, has not.

C'mon Tim! How can you call yourself a Steeler fan and leave out a rebuttal to Chase stating that he left out the most important games of the rivalry.2008 18 2009-01-18 BAL W 23-14 16 33 48.5% 255 1 0 84.8 7.73 8.33 2010 17 2011-01-15 BAL W 31-24 19 32 59.4% 226 2 0 101.8 7.06 8.31The fact that the most recent win required more than 24 points was a gimme.Anyway, there is room for both you and Chase to be correct. Clearly, keeping the Ravens from scoring above 24 points -- that's the real number -- has been an important element of the Steelers' success. So Chase has a point. However, you are also correct, in that in clutch time, in the biggest games of the rivalry in the past decade (two games that decided the division winner and home field, and two playoff games), three out of the four wins were achieved with Ben leading a 4th quarter TD drive. Granted, the 2010 regular season winner was set up with a Polamalu forced fumble and was only 9 yards, but the other two drives were 92 yards and 65 yards. Both of these drives began with less than 4 minutes to play in the game.

 

[mjr]

Read Wallace is going to be covered by a rookie CB. Id love to see Roeslithberger hook up with Wallace all day long for some big scoring.

Might not be all that much of a "boring" game....

 

[The_Man]

The main problem with this rivalry is that both teams are fairly boring.

20101st game: Balt 17-14 - PIT takes the lead in final minutes, only to have Flacco march the length of the field for a last-second TD to Houshmanzadeh2nd game: Pit 13-10 - Ben's face gets broken, but he leads Pit to a last second TD that brings the Steelers from behind for the winPlayoff game: PIT 31-24 - thrilling game with PIT overcoming 21-7 halftime deficit20091st game: Balt 20-17 OT win2nd game: Pitt kicks 4th quarter FG for 23-20 win20081st game: Pit 23-20 OT win2nd game: Pit 13-9 win when Ben hits Holmes for last-second come-from-behind TDAFCC: Pit 23-14, hardest hitting game anyone has ever seen, clinched when Polamalu snuffs Baltimore's try at a game-winning drive with an INT for a TDEvery one of these games is a war. Who cares if they don't smack talk before? When they take the field, these teams both try to kill each other and the game always comes down to the final drive. I would much rather watch a game like anyone of these 8 wars over the last 3 years than something like the New Orleans-Green Bay game which felt like two-hand touch or the Arena League.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

FWIW, I think the Jets/Pats is one of the league's great longstanding divisional rivalry, but I think the Pats/Colts rivalry in the playoffs has been more salient and worth watching in the recent past.

Love hard-bitten divisional games, and we have a few of them this weekend, Steelers/Ravens being the best of the bunch. I don't think this will be exciting from a shoot-out, barnburner perspective like the NO/GB game, but I do expect a balanced game that will see some scoring.

Both teams have shut-down run Ds, but will need to rely on Rice and Mendy to set up the passing game. Though BAL can generate a decent pass rush, the Ravens have been more susceptible to the pass than the run -- I think Ben exploits the weapons he has at receivers, and has a little better success than Flacco.

Should be a great game to watch on all sides of the ball.

 

[Goooals]

I think we are going to see a little more excitement than usual from these two teams. As we saw in the NO vs GB game, players are not in game shape yet and missed tackles were happening all over the place. I think the first few weeks of NFL season will be showtime for the elite players.

Look for Rice to pull off a long run on a sreen and Big Ben to light it up through the air.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Does anyone outside of Ravens/Steelers fans really care about these games? The Steelers almost always win, and the Ravens never really end up being major players in the postseason (one AFC championship game during the stretch, no super bowl appearances). Plus, Baltimore was a bad team for half of these games, and several of them were both playing against each other as middle of the road, non playoff teams.

Also, for whomever said that the Jets/Pats end up in blowouts half the time whereas the Ravens/Steelers never do, from that list that Chase posted it looks like 4 of the last 9 have been blowouts, which is about half.

To me, the clear answer to this question is Patriots/Colts. Both are top three franchises in the last decade with probably the two best QBs during that time as well. They play almost every year, and they've had some incredible games. The amazing comeback by Peyton against the Pats in the playoffs on their way to the Super Bowl, the near amazing comeback that ended in a Peyton INT, and of course the Pats going for it on 4th and 2 with the lead from their own 30 to try and keep the ball out of Peyton's hands.

I'm not a fan of the Patriots or the Colts, but when they play I (and most of America) am absolutely glued to my TV set. When the Steelers and Ravens play, I kind of care sometimes, depending on the year.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Also, for whomever said that the Jets/Pats end up in blowouts half the time whereas the Ravens/Steelers never do, from that list that Chase posted it looks like 4 of the last 9 have been blowouts, which is about half.

Those arent the last 9 games, not sure why he listed those specific games. Those stats go back to 2004, or when Roethlisberger was a rookie and Flacco might have been going to his senior high prom. And he only listed 5 games since 2007. These teams have played at least 10 teams the last 4 years, and have been much closer and entertaining than the games that might as well be afterthoughts at this point from 04-06 when they didnt have Flacco, Rice, Boldin, etc.

 

[The_Man]

So, here we are again. I think it's very weak schedule-making to have these teams play for the second time before the season's midway point, especially when the Ravens haven't played a single game yet vs. either Cleveland or Cincy.

Times have certainly changed since Week 1 - once the toast of the AFC, now the Ravens are staggering off a loss to Jax and needing a miracle comeback to beat AZ at home. Meanwhile, the Steelers, once thought to be old and slow, are now the AFC's top team, fresh off manhandling the Patriots.

But some things haven't changed - like the fact this is now clearly the NFL's best rivalry. The Pats and Colts? Not now. The Pats and Jets? Considering how badly the Steelers and Ravens whipped those teams, respectively, seems like that makes this game a bigger deal.

The Ravens desperately need Ben Grubbs back at LG to have a chance in this game. He hasn't played since Week 1, and the Ravens O line isn't the same without him. Not only is Gurode a very weak replacement, but McKinnie seems kind of lost and out of synch without Grubbs in there. I don't think it's any coincidence that his best game came vs. the Steelers when Grubbs was next to him.

The other thing I'll be interested to see is if rookie CB Jimmy Smith starts to take more of a role. He was injured on the opening kickoff in Week 1 - last week he played some special teams, and this week they brought him in on some nickel packages. He's the only hope they have of limiting Wallace from running completely wild.

 

[The Comedian]

This rivalry seems to be thought to be much more important by BAL/PIT fans. Outside of those two groups, not sure the interest is that high.

 

[eoMMan]

Eagles Cowboys?

Packers Bears?

I wouldn't say Ravens/Steelers are the clear cut best rivalry in football.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

This rivalry seems to be thought to be much more important by BAL/PIT fans. Outside of those two groups, not sure the interest is that high.

Maybe so, but every game they play has big-time division/conference/playoff implecations.

 

[roadkill1292]

This rivalry seems to be thought to be much more important by BAL/PIT fans. Outside of those two groups, not sure the interest is that high.

Probably true. Probably unimportant if so.This one is liable to end up exactly like the first one -- with the home team winning in a breeze. Ravens have been inconsistent of late, to put it nicely.

 

[SacramentoBob]

This rivalry seems to be thought to be much more important by BAL/PIT fans. Outside of those two groups, not sure the interest is that high.

It's the best rivalry in the AFC North. Not sure that says much about it though. It's not a bad rivalry, but the Steelers seem to win most of these.