polamalubeast
06-17-2014, 07:55 AM
This year, the players in black and gold will be a bit younger but carry the same heavy hand when taking the field against their rivals. For Baltimore, its roster is equipped with savvy veterans and youth for depth – very similar to the design of past Pittsburgh teams. Furthermore, veteran newcomer WR Steve Smith will contribute to the most talented Ravens’ offense in over a decade. A talented core of receivers and a solid rushing attack will likely tilt this season’s matchup in Baltimore’s favor. Here are some key points.
Pittsburgh’s Defense vs Baltimore’s Offense
The addition of Steve Smith isn’t the only reason the Ravens will outscore the Steelers handily. Be mindful of two tight end sets with Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels. Daniels – the former Houston Texans tight end – accumulated 716 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2012 before an injury-plagued 2013 season. The duo adds to a high-powered offense that features four receivers capable of making big plays. The Torrey Smith-Steve Smith tandem has a deadly combination of reliability and toughness paired with speed and the threat of the deep ball.
Torrey Smith had his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2013 and projects to continue tapping into his vast potential. Steve Smith figures to start opposite him and enters a rivalry that describes how he plays on the field – intense. If there’s a jump-ball to be had or a first down to be made, QB Joe Flacco can depend on his new receiver to make a play.
A couple of Pittsburgh’s defensive backs are just as old and just as tough as the elder Smith, but the plethora of weapons at Flacco’s disposal puts the Steelers’ defense at risk. The Ravens were able to bring in weapons for their former Super Bowl MVP signal-caller to spread Pittsburgh out and pick it apart. The Steelers opted not to address their aging defensive backfield and it could come back to haunt them in their season series with Baltimore.
read more
http://www.football.com/en-us/early-outlook-for-afc-north-rivarly-ravens-score-and-steelers-struggle/
Pittsburgh’s Defense vs Baltimore’s Offense
The addition of Steve Smith isn’t the only reason the Ravens will outscore the Steelers handily. Be mindful of two tight end sets with Dennis Pitta and Owen Daniels. Daniels – the former Houston Texans tight end – accumulated 716 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2012 before an injury-plagued 2013 season. The duo adds to a high-powered offense that features four receivers capable of making big plays. The Torrey Smith-Steve Smith tandem has a deadly combination of reliability and toughness paired with speed and the threat of the deep ball.
Torrey Smith had his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2013 and projects to continue tapping into his vast potential. Steve Smith figures to start opposite him and enters a rivalry that describes how he plays on the field – intense. If there’s a jump-ball to be had or a first down to be made, QB Joe Flacco can depend on his new receiver to make a play.
A couple of Pittsburgh’s defensive backs are just as old and just as tough as the elder Smith, but the plethora of weapons at Flacco’s disposal puts the Steelers’ defense at risk. The Ravens were able to bring in weapons for their former Super Bowl MVP signal-caller to spread Pittsburgh out and pick it apart. The Steelers opted not to address their aging defensive backfield and it could come back to haunt them in their season series with Baltimore.
read more
http://www.football.com/en-us/early-outlook-for-afc-north-rivarly-ravens-score-and-steelers-struggle/