Baltimore Ravens: 3 players vital to beating Steelers.
By Dustin Cox
![PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 25: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks with Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens at the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-27 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 25: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks with Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens at the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-27 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 25, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Febonybird-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F630521718-baltimore-ravens-v-pittsburgh-steelers-jpg-850x560-1fff8848f623d445955995174c8f89e95e600d4f3f58d815d87c50b7c3ccad7a.jpg)
Carl Davis
As much as I wanted to put Matt Skura, or whoever starts at right guard this week, I opted to choose DT Carl Davis. Coach Harbaugh announced that Brandon Williams will not play against the Steelers. That’s a scary situation given that the Steelers have one of the best running backs in the league. The Ravens generally have success against Bell, but that’s when Brandon Williams is playing.
Williams is one of the best run defenders in the league at his position. Even though the defense was gashed last week, they still had decent success against the Jaguars running backs. We saw a noticeable drop-off in pass rush with Williams absence but Carl Davis played the run very well. He will have to continue this level of play against the Steelers.
Losing Brent Urban for the season and not having Williams currently means the Ravens are down two of their starting three defensive linemen. Luckily the defensive line is the place where the Ravens by far have the most talented depth. Le’Veon Bell has not played up to his high standards yet this season and hopefully, that will continue this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens must make the Steelers offense one-dimensional if they want to force turnovers. Limiting Bell could be the key to winning the game.
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Conclusion
If all 3 players have a strong game then I’m confident that the Ravens can walk away with a win. Let’s just hope that last week was a fluke and we get the Ravens team from the first two games. This is a Ravens site, so you know what I want to see. Let’s beat those Steelers on Sunday! Go Ravens!