Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ground game is the key

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Javorius Allen #37 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates his touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 17: Running back Javorius Allen #37 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates his touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Ravens passing game must open up

The Ravens strength goes against the Steelers weakness. The running game is key. The problem is that both teams understand this. Pittsburgh will be go all out to stop the run. Watch for a crowded tackle box and chances for the Ravens’ passing attack. If Joe Flacco can’t make the Steelers pay for over eager run defense, the match-up advantage with the Ravens rushing attack could be wasted.

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28 yards isn’t going to do it against the Steelers. It just isn’t going to get the job done. Flacco may not have to put up big numbers but he has to be competent. The Steelers are going to force the Ravens to take some shots down the field. Think about it. Baltimore has shown virtually no ability to make the defense pay for being aggressive. The Steelers are going to play a lot of man coverage and they’re going to crowd the tackle box. The Ravens wide receivers haven’t lifted up the offense at all yet this season. There was one big play by Jeremy Maclin in the opener. That was about it.

Learning from a past example:

It’s clear that the Ravens can’t lean on the passing game but they can’t be one-dimensional. They have to keep the Steelers guessing or the rushing lanes just aren’t going to be there. A bad run defense can look really good, when they know what’s coming. A good example of this was the 2006 playoff game against the Colts (you know the one. It’s the one. It’s when the Ravens kept Peyton Manning out of the end zone but lost, allowing five field goals). The Ravens offense couldn’t do anything in that game. The Ravens were supposed to take advantage of a suspect run defense, but the Colts over committed stopping the run. The Steelers defense isn’t bad, but it isn’t a brick wall against the run. The match-up could work out for Baltimore but they’re going to need something from Flacco.

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