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3 Ways Ravens Can Beat The Steelers Without Jimmy Smith

By Chris Schisler

Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) leaves the game on cart with an injury during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) leaves the game on cart with an injury during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) leaves the game on cart with an injury during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) leaves the game on cart with an injury during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /

Jimmy Smith probably won’t play against the Steelers on Christmas Day:

I’m not going to lie to you Baltimore, if Jimmy Smith can’t play in this game it isn’t good news for the Ravens.Jimmy Smith is one of the purple and black’s most important players. Without him, the Steelers arsenal of weapons looks pretty daunting. Antonio Brown is playing lights out. Le’Veon Bell is a great running back who can beat you on the ground and as a receiver. Eli Rogers is getting the job done for Ben Roethlisberger. This game was never going to be easy and its tougher without Smith.

Related Story: It All Comes Down To This: Ravens, Steelers, Christmas

That does not mean that the end of the world is coming. Roethlisberger can light the Ravens up, we’ve seen it before. However we have also seen the Ravens shut down the Steelers offense and give them a rough day at work. The 5-11 Ravens beat the Steelers twice last season; the second outing was supposed to be a massacre of the Ravens. Baltimore has Pittsburgh’s number. The Ravens are looking for their fifth straight win against their arch rival.

For now, we have to assume that Jimmy Smith is going to miss the penultimate game of the regular season. With everything on the line there is no excuse that will be satisfactory. John Harbaugh and his staff have to put together a game plan to overcome the loss to Smith. What does that plan look like?

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