Ebony Bird
FanSided

5 Things The Ravens Must Do To Beat The Steelers

By Chris Schisler

Dec 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) intercepts Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) (not pictured) pass intended for wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) intercepts Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) (not pictured) pass intended for wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) runs the ball against New York Giants linebacker Devon Kennard (59) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) runs the ball against New York Giants linebacker Devon Kennard (59) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Commit To the Run Game:

The Ravens are best when they commit to the run game. We know this because this offense has been as bad as we’ve ever seen in the Harbaugh era; a diligent run game has been the most obvious thing missing. Flacco drops back to pass on almost every play. Defenses don’t have to stay honest. Right now the offense is about as predictable as the sun coming up in the morning. If the Ravens don’t commit to the running game, the passing game isn’t going to take off.

Here’s the deal, out of every 80 plays Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon need to see the ball 30-45 times. That is the sweet spot for the purple and black. The Ravens have two star running backs waiting to show the world what they’ve got. The Ravens are acting like they can’t run the football.

The running game isn’t going to break out 20 plus yard runs left and right. If you get stuffed, you have to keep on pounding the rock. The Steelers are going to give a struggling Joe Flacco every blitz imaginable. He can’t deal with pass rush this season. The run game could be Flacco’s best friend.

Home/Ravens News