The Ravens organization was roiled by shocking video released on Monday, September 9 that revealed the vicious February attack by Ray Rice on his then-fiancee Janay Palmer (she subsequently married Rice) - Rice has since been released by Baltimore, and suspended indefinitely by the NFL. From here on out, the Ravens will lean on Justin Forsett and Bernard Pierce for their rushing attack during 2014.Forsett provided a spark during a furious second-half comeback mounted against the Bengals last week, with 11/70/1 rushing and 5/14/0 receiving after Pierce (6/14/0 rushing) was benched for his first fumble during his NFL career. Going forwards we expect to see Pierce and Forsett work in tandem. Rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro may also get in the action with Rice permanently severed from the Ravens' backfield. The situation at running back is fluid entering Week Two.The Steelers' rush D was humiliated by the Browns' backups on Sunday, eventually allowing 30/183/2 to the Cleveland backs. The Steelers' defense was 21st in the NFL vs. opposing running backs last season, averaging 115.6 rushing yards allowed per game, with 18 rushing scores handed over during 16 games. They allowed 6.0 yards per carry to LeSean McCoy (4/24/0) and 5.5 per tote and a TD to Darren Sproles (6/33/1) during the third preseason game, and eventually coughed up 35/182/3 to the Eagles - similar numbers to what we saw from Cleveland last week, as a matter of fact.Despite the drama around the Ravens' organization this week, Forsett and Pierce have a great matchup to work with this week.
Pittsburgh rushing attack is going great guns after week one, with Le'Veon Bell posting almost 200 yards combined in Week One (21/109/1 rushing with seven targets for 6/88/0 receiving). LeGarrette Blount also chipped in with 4/6/1 rushing and one target for zero receptions. It is clear that Bell is the featured back here, but Blount will get some meaningful carries in his backup role as well. It's all good for the Steelers in this phase of the game, folks, with 28/127/2 rushing as a team so far this year.The Ravens' rush D was ranked 11th in the NFL last season, averaging 105.4 rushing yards allowed per game, with just seven rushing scores handed out over 16 games (fourth in the NFL in this category). During the third preseason game, they limited Washington's tandem of Roy Helu (7/30/0 rushing) and Alfred Morris (6/29/0 rushing) to 13/59/0 rushing while they were on the field, and didn't allow a TD score the entire game (24/81/0 for Washington on the ground). To open regular season, Cincinnati managed 26/79/0 rushing - as usual, the Ravens didn't allow a rushing score.This divisional grudge match is always hard-fought - at the Ravens' house, I give the edge to Baltimores' solid defensive front.This looks like a tough matchup for the Steelers
The Ravens organization was roiled by shocking video released on Monday, September 9 that revealed the vicious February attack by Ray Rice on his then-fiancee Janay Palmer (she subsequently married Rice) - Rice has since been released by Baltimore, and suspended indefinitely by the NFL. From here on out, the Ravens will lean on Justin Forsett and Bernard Pierce for their rushing attack during 2014.Forsett provided a spark during a furious second-half comeback mounted against the Bengals last week, with 11/70/1 rushing and 5/14/0 receiving after Pierce (6/14/0 rushing) was benched for his first fumble during his NFL career. Going forwards we expect to see Pierce and Forsett work in tandem. Rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro may also get in the action with Rice permanently severed from the Ravens' backfield. The situation at running back is fluid entering Week Two.The Steelers' rush D was humiliated by the Browns' backups on Sunday, eventually allowing 30/183/2 to the Cleveland backs. The Steelers' defense was 21st in the NFL vs. opposing running backs last season, averaging 115.6 rushing yards allowed per game, with 18 rushing scores handed over during 16 games. They allowed 6.0 yards per carry to LeSean McCoy (4/24/0) and 5.5 per tote and a TD to Darren Sproles (6/33/1) during the third preseason game, and eventually coughed up 35/182/3 to the Eagles - similar numbers to what we saw from Cleveland last week, as a matter of fact.Despite the drama around the Ravens' organization this week, Forsett and Pierce have a great matchup to work with this week.
Pittsburgh rushing attack is going great guns after week one, with Le'Veon Bell posting almost 200 yards combined in Week One (21/109/1 rushing with seven targets for 6/88/0 receiving). LeGarrette Blount also chipped in with 4/6/1 rushing and one target for zero receptions. It is clear that Bell is the featured back here, but Blount will get some meaningful carries in his backup role as well. It's all good for the Steelers in this phase of the game, folks, with 28/127/2 rushing as a team so far this year.The Ravens' rush D was ranked 11th in the NFL last season, averaging 105.4 rushing yards allowed per game, with just seven rushing scores handed out over 16 games (fourth in the NFL in this category). During the third preseason game, they limited Washington's tandem of Roy Helu (7/30/0 rushing) and Alfred Morris (6/29/0 rushing) to 13/59/0 rushing while they were on the field, and didn't allow a TD score the entire game (24/81/0 for Washington on the ground). To open regular season, Cincinnati managed 26/79/0 rushing - as usual, the Ravens didn't allow a rushing score.This divisional grudge match is always hard-fought - at the Ravens' house, I give the edge to Baltimores' solid defensive front.This looks like a tough matchup for the Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger delivered a 'W' for his team during Week One despite a second-half defensive collapse. He needed roughly half the passing attempts of Joe Flacco (34 for Roethlisberger, 62 for Flacco last week) to post more passing yards, with 23/34 for 365 yards, one TD and one interception thrown vs. Cleveland (he was sacked four times for -27 yards, and hit another four times by the Browns). Despite the pass pressure, Roethlisberger found usual suspect Antonio Brown for over 100 yards receiving (six targets for 5/116/1 hauled in), also connecting with Markus Wheaton six times (seven for 6/97/0) and hitting Le'Veon Bell six times (seven for 6/88/0). The Steelers' passing game is galloping full speed out of the gates this year, friends.The Ravens' pass D allowed 301 yards passing to Andy Dalton in Week One (25/38 for 301 yards passing, one TD and zero interceptions) without sacking (or even hitting) Dalton once. Baltimore was 12th in the NFL averaging 230 net passing yards allowed per game last season, with 25 TDs given up over 16 games played. They generated 16 interceptions (tied for 15th in the NFL) and 40 sacks (tied for 16th) - in most ways, the Ravens were a mediocre pass D last season. They continue to look lackluster as of Week Two, 2014.Advantage, Pittsburgh.
Joe Flacco threw the ball an astonishing 62 times last week, for 35/62 yielding 345 yards passing, one TD and one interception thrown (three sacks taken for -16 yards). He connected for a long-bomb 80-yard TD to Steve Smith Sr. (15 targets for 7/118/1 receiving), while also leaning on Dennis Pitta (15 for 10/83/0). Torrey Smith (seven for 3/50/0) and Owen Daniels (five for 4/34/0) were also included in the torrent of passes. There was also 8 dropped passes.
Pittsburgh gave up 19/31 for 230 yards passing, one TD and zero interceptions to Brian Hoyer and the Browns last week (Hoyer was sacked three times for -24 yards). The Steelers' defense was ranked ninth in the NFL last year, averaging 222 net yards passing allowed per game, with 21 passing scores given away. They didn't pressure opposing passers much, with a 29th-ranked total of 10 interceptions generated and only 34 sacks to their credit (25th in the NFL). So far this year the Steelers have generated more pass rush pressure than last year, but remain one of the more suspect units in the NFL. Nobody suspects the Browns' current assemblage of receivers of being an elite unit (and Cameron Jordan was knocked out of the game last week due to a shoulder injury).
MY PREDICTION:
RAVENS AT HOME ON THURSDAY NIGHT DESPITE ALL THE ADVERSITY WILL COME UP BIG!! THE RAVENS ALWAYS SEEM TO PLAY BIG WHEN THEIR BACKS ARE UP AGAINST THE WALL AT HOME AND TONIGHT WILL BE NO DIFFERENT. PITTSBURGH'S DEFENSE IS NOWHERE CLOSE TO WHAT IT WAS ONCE UPON A TIME AND ON THE ROAD IN PRIMETIME I EXPECT THEM TO FALL. EXPECT A BIG GAME FROM THE RAVENS DEFENSE, RUNNING BACKS AND FLACCO EN ROUTE TO A BIG DIVISION WIN.
Ben Roethlisberger delivered a 'W' for his team during Week One despite a second-half defensive collapse. He needed roughly half the passing attempts of Joe Flacco (34 for Roethlisberger, 62 for Flacco last week) to post more passing yards, with 23/34 for 365 yards, one TD and one interception thrown vs. Cleveland (he was sacked four times for -27 yards, and hit another four times by the Browns). Despite the pass pressure, Roethlisberger found usual suspect Antonio Brown for over 100 yards receiving (six targets for 5/116/1 hauled in), also connecting with Markus Wheaton six times (seven for 6/97/0) and hitting Le'Veon Bell six times (seven for 6/88/0). The Steelers' passing game is galloping full speed out of the gates this year, friends.The Ravens' pass D allowed 301 yards passing to Andy Dalton in Week One (25/38 for 301 yards passing, one TD and zero interceptions) without sacking (or even hitting) Dalton once. Baltimore was 12th in the NFL averaging 230 net passing yards allowed per game last season, with 25 TDs given up over 16 games played. They generated 16 interceptions (tied for 15th in the NFL) and 40 sacks (tied for 16th) - in most ways, the Ravens were a mediocre pass D last season. They continue to look lackluster as of Week Two, 2014.Advantage, Pittsburgh.
Joe Flacco threw the ball an astonishing 62 times last week, for 35/62 yielding 345 yards passing, one TD and one interception thrown (three sacks taken for -16 yards). He connected for a long-bomb 80-yard TD to Steve Smith Sr. (15 targets for 7/118/1 receiving), while also leaning on Dennis Pitta (15 for 10/83/0). Torrey Smith (seven for 3/50/0) and Owen Daniels (five for 4/34/0) were also included in the torrent of passes. There was also 8 dropped passes.
Pittsburgh gave up 19/31 for 230 yards passing, one TD and zero interceptions to Brian Hoyer and the Browns last week (Hoyer was sacked three times for -24 yards). The Steelers' defense was ranked ninth in the NFL last year, averaging 222 net yards passing allowed per game, with 21 passing scores given away. They didn't pressure opposing passers much, with a 29th-ranked total of 10 interceptions generated and only 34 sacks to their credit (25th in the NFL). So far this year the Steelers have generated more pass rush pressure than last year, but remain one of the more suspect units in the NFL. Nobody suspects the Browns' current assemblage of receivers of being an elite unit (and Cameron Jordan was knocked out of the game last week due to a shoulder injury).
MY PREDICTION:
RAVENS AT HOME ON THURSDAY NIGHT DESPITE ALL THE ADVERSITY WILL COME UP BIG!! THE RAVENS ALWAYS SEEM TO PLAY BIG WHEN THEIR BACKS ARE UP AGAINST THE WALL AT HOME AND TONIGHT WILL BE NO DIFFERENT. PITTSBURGH'S DEFENSE IS NOWHERE CLOSE TO WHAT IT WAS ONCE UPON A TIME AND ON THE ROAD IN PRIMETIME I EXPECT THEM TO FALL. EXPECT A BIG GAME FROM THE RAVENS DEFENSE, RUNNING BACKS AND FLACCO EN ROUTE TO A BIG DIVISION WIN.
For those that are over-looking the Ray Rice Controversy, tread lightly. This distraction will weight heavily on Balty tonight, how can it NOT???? Some of the Balty players stand by him, some have got to be thinking "how could the guy DO that?? Right now, this is not a united Balty team. This is a huge shaming distraction.
For those that are over-looking the Ray Rice Controversy, tread lightly. This distraction will weight heavily on Balty tonight, how can it NOT???? Some of the Balty players stand by him, some have got to be thinking "how could the guy DO that?? Right now, this is not a united Balty team. This is a huge shaming distraction.
Mark Schluerth just about an hour ago said "the football field is regarded as a sanctuary to get away from these type of problems"....then he contradicts hisself and says he NEVER could!!
Personally I don't see this as a BIG game changer. I believe there are 51/52 other players that will step up.
Mark Schluerth just about an hour ago said "the football field is regarded as a sanctuary to get away from these type of problems"....then he contradicts hisself and says he NEVER could!!
Personally I don't see this as a BIG game changer. I believe there are 51/52 other players that will step up.
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