Week 4:Baltimore Ravens(2-1)

[polamalubeast]

It's still early in the season, but it's a crucial game for the steelers.

If they win, the steelers could be first in the division at the end of the day but if they lose, the steelers will be in a big hole.

[st33lersguy]

I'm afraid of this playing out like 2015 against the Ratbirds, Boswell vs Tucker is turning into Scobee vs Tucker. Also Moonball Joe seems to be doing better this year it seems (of course any QB can shred this defense).

[polamalubeast]

I'm afraid of this playing out like 2015 against the Ratbirds, Boswell vs Tucker is turning into Scobee vs Tucker. Also Moonball Joe seems to be doing better this year it seems (of course any QB can shred this defense).

Good point for the kickers, but I would be surprised if Ben is anemic as Vick was in this game!

Ben may need another big game like last year when he had over 500 yards in 66 pass attempts and no turnovers in a 39-38 steelers wins.

[BlackAndGold]

This game won't be stressful at all.

[Edman]

As long as the Steelers Defense is the way it is. No game on the schedule will inspire confidence. The Ravens in Baltimore makes it even less confident.

It will be another shootout that goes down to the wire, and with Boswell blowing chunks the way he's been, its advantage Ravens.

[DesertSteel]

The TB win turns the tide folks. Steelers go on a run for the next several weeks...

[smokin3000gt]

The TB win turns the tide folks. Steelers go on a run for the next several weeks...

Agreed.. TB was the spark we needed

[Renegade]

I'd like to think the win in Tampa will start a 14 game win streak that is punctuated by a 3 game win streak in the playoffs.

[Crow-Magnon]

I'm looking forward to it. It will be the first of three road games for the Ravens so it's an important one at 2-1. I think the Steelers will score, but I also think the Ravens can score. It may come down to turnovers and the kicking game. Tucker is gold.

But this is always a tough matchup. Most games are 3 points or less. It will likely be a tough contest. Hell. RTP flags may decide it.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Ravens D is better than the Steelers. But I think the game is won up front by which team's Offensive line controls the L.O.S. Would be nice if DeCastro and Gilbert were back.

[Renegade]

I'm looking forward to it. It will be the first of three road games for the Ravens so it's an important one at 2-1. I think the Steelers will score, but I also think the Ravens can score. It may come down to turnovers and the kicking game. Tucker is gold.

But this is always a tough matchup. Most games are 3 points or less. It will likely be a tough contest. Hell. RTP flags may decide it.

sometimes i question if the the nfl is rigged or not. Usually after/before a rule change, it always affects the outcome of the game. Case in point... the pats had 3 wins last year in the regular season (Buffalo, Jets, Steelers) decided because of the "catch" definition. Only to have the rule changed and give up 3 question mark touchdowns in the superbowl and lose in the superbowl. I feel like the theme of roughing the passer (notice the theme of the first 3 weeks with clay matthews), will have an impact in this game... a game winning drive caused by a RTP penalty negating a game ending pick 6. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST.
PS. (first 2 weeks, the theme was division rivals tie. weeks 2 and 3 had an underscore of missed kicks) I'm not saying it's rigged, I'm just sayin'.......

[stillers4me]

Ravens D is better than the Steelers. But I think the game is won up front by which team's Offensive line controls the L.O.S. Would be nice if DeCastro and Gilbert were back.

[teegre]

I think the Steelers will score, but I also think the Ravens can score.

The old “blackjack” (first to 21) days are over. With Flacco having receivers, and our secondary being average at best; plus, our offense being able to score on anyone...

Ravens 34
Steelers 37*

*Boz misses an extra point

[86WARD]

Flacco has a better receiving corp now than he’s had in a long time. Brown is the real deal sneaky good. Snead and Crabtree are solid and then as long as Harbaugh doesn’t screw up the play calling, Collins should be able to run. They don’t have a lot of household names but they have a solid group on offense. Not to mention the Lamar Jackson experiment. I’m gonna say that Flacco gets a receiving TD this game...lol.

[AtlantaDan]

Steelers opened as 3 point favorites and the line has stayed there (as opposed to the Bucs game where for some reason the Steelers opened as two point favorites and by kickoff the $$ had moved the line to Tampa favored by 1)

http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odds/las-vegas/

Factoring in home field usually being worth 3 points that sounds about right

FWIW Ravens were not impressive in their one road game so far at Cincy - but Butler's defense will give up significant points to any team

[polamalubeast]

[steel striker]

Pretty big game for the Steelers and, our defense is a big concern hopefully the offense can put a enough points for the win. Like already mentioned the Raven offense is better this year with the added WR'S Brown, Crabtree. Should be a tough tight game and, I hope it does not came down to a kick. I think the Steelers win a tight one 31-28.

[polamalubeast]

The Ravens Offense are perfect in the Red Zone this year...

[FrancoLambert]

Drafting Lamar Jackson has sure lit a fire under Flacco’s ass.

- - - Updated - - -

Drafting Lamar Jackson has sure lit a fire under Flacco’s ass.

[Moose]

I HOPE that Tomlin and player's realize this is a MUST WIN game. It's a DIVISIONAL game and with a tie already in the division, this has to be a WIN in our column ! Close game doesn't matter....it is a MUST WIN !!! They need to come out hard, score constantly for 60 minutes and knock Flacco in the dirt !! Take roughing passer penalties if needed just to keep pressure on Flacco and make Flacco paranoid and making mistakes. They are 12 for 12 in red zone....when they get there ----they score. Our defense, being the shit it is, is going to be tested big time, and OUR receivers will have a tough time with their CBs. Black/Gold will have to bring the A game on both sides of ball.

[polamalubeast]

I HOPE that Tomlin and player's realize this is a MUST WIN game. It's a DIVISIONAL game and with a tie already in the division, this has to be a WIN in our column ! Close game doesn't matter....it is a MUST WIN !!! They need to come out hard, score constantly for 60 minutes and knock Flacco in the dirt !! Take roughing passer penalties if needed just to keep pressure on Flacco and make Flacco paranoid and making mistakes. They are 12 for 12 in red zone....when they get there ----they score. Our defense, being the shit it is, is going to be tested big time, and OUR receivers will have a tough time with their CBs. Black/Gold will have to bring the A game on both sides of ball.

For most of the time, the steelers have always played hard against the ravens, especially at home and in primetime ... But that does not guarantee the win.

[cubanstogie]

I really think the D is going to get better and better, except for maybe Artie. A bunch of new faces and young in secondary. With healthy Ben this team can beat anyone but if the D improves a little this team can win it all. I haven't seen Ravens play this year so don't know how Flaccos protection has been but I see Steelers getting pressure and not having to worry about him taking off running. Steelers 33 Ravens 27.

[Fire Goodell]

I'm not really confident in any matchup with the way this defense has been playing. I guess I went from being optimistic on the season to cautiously optimistic. On the bright side the offense is fun to watch, I hope we can win this one

With that said though it's possible that maybe the D isn't so terrible, but back to back they just played 2 of some of the best offenses in the league. KC and TB have both blown out everyone else they played.

My prediction - Antonio Brown is gonna finally have one of his AB games. The first 3 weeks have shown if you double cover AB all game, Juju and McDonald/James will beat you for big plays. Defenses really need to account for Juju because he's the real deal. I'm sure the Ravens know this now and so AB should get more chances.

[BlackAndGold]

Could see him on passing downs

[pczach]

Could see him on passing downs

That would make a ton of sense. Before the season started, I stated that he showed enough that they need to get him on the field.

I guess we'll see how they use him, and how he handles his role. If they keep his assignments straightforward, I think he can do some good things.

[fansince'76]

Ravens week again. Time to break out the Tums.

[Crow-Magnon]

Ravens week again. Time to break out the Tums.

I have the big bottle. Fruit flavored. It’s like a snack.

[GoSlash27]

Health might make a pivotal difference in this game. According to today's practice report:

Steelers
Doubtful: Mike Hilton, Morgan Burnett

Ravens
Out: Anthony Averett, Willie Henry
Questionable: Brandon Carr, Ronnie Stanley, Terrell Suggs, Hayden Hurst, Anthony Levine, CJ Mosley, Michael Pierce

[AtlantaDan]

Pass defense could be frightful again

[GoSlash27]

Pass defense could be frightful again

Our pass defense problem vs. KC was due to confusion IMO, not bad players. Joe Haden is in and he's the big- mouth guy who normally calls the assignments for the secondary. I *think* they'll be okay so long as they know what they're supposed to be doing. I could be wrong...