Can the Baltimore Ravens Upset the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) is congratulated by wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

It’s actually quite fitting that the AFC North has three teams in the playoffs after 3 out of 4 reached the 10+ win plateau. Easily the best division in the NFL this season, this group even featured a bounce back season from the Cleveland Browns. To top it off, we have one of the league’s best rivalries to look forward to on Saturday night – Ravens vs Steelers.

Unfortunately for the Ravens, the Steelers hold the upper hand coming into this matchup. They are 3-0 all time in the playoffs against Baltimore and get to host their bitter rivals at home this time around. In the regular season, these two teams split the series with each winning its home game.

The Steelers certainly have momentum on their side, as they overcame early season struggles and injuries to bounce back and steal the division crown away from the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday Night Football. The Steelers have won four games in a row and six of their last eight, beginning with a win over the Ravens back in early November.

The Steelers did lose their offensive MVP to a injury Sunday when running back Le’Veon Bell suffered a hyperextended knee. Bell set the franchise record this season for total offense while rushing for 1,361 yards and 8 touchdowns and adding 854 yards and 3 more scores through the air.

Adding to the Ravens’ conundrum is trying to slow down the NFL’s leading receiver, Antonio Brown. Brown finished the regular season with career bests of 1,698 yards and 13 touchdowns. Ben Roethlisberger has had a career year as well, throwing for 4,952 yards and 32 touchdowns against only 9 interceptions.

The Steelers’ Achilles heel, of course, is on defense. They are ranked 18th in the NFL while giving up 353.4 yards and 23 points per game. The Ravens have battled inconsistency over the last four weeks but still sport the league’s 12th best offense overall, including the 8th best rushing offense.

The only way the Ravens can secure a win Saturday night is to slow down the Steelers’ #2 NFL rated offense. Obviously that is easier said than done, but they can start by getting pressure on Ben Roethlisberger and denying him the time he needs to set up the big play. Obviously they will need to pay extra defensive attention to Brown, but they must also keep a safety over the top to bottle up Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant.

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Bell’s availability is up in the air, but if he is forced to miss the game it would obviously be a huge blow to the Steelers. They don’t have a number two back capable of filling his shoes on the ground or through the air. Combine this with consistent pressure, and Big Ben would have one less safety valve underneath to dump the ball off to.

Offensively, the Ravens must start the game strong and sustain drives to keep the Steelers’ offense on the bench. They can’t afford to wait until the 4th quarter to get going. They have to win the battle at the line of scrimmage and keep Justin Forsett going. Forsett looked much healthier against the Browns, which is great news for the Ravens if they hope to advance this postseason.

It won’t be easy, but a upset victory for the Ravens is doable against their fiercest rival in a hostile environment. If that happens, they get rewarded by having to travel to New England to face the top seeded Patriots. But hey, let’s take it one week at a time.

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