2018 Baltimore Ravens: How do they match up with the Steelers?

Defense will have a chance against the Steelers Superstars:

The Steelers have superstars there is no doubt about that. Antonio Brown is a human cheat code. Ben Roethlisberger is a future Hall of Fame quarterback and LeVeon Bell (assuming he plays) is a deadly weapon. The Ravens have found that the key to slowing down the Steelers is stopping Antonio Brown from going off. For a team with such star-studded talent, the Steelers are overly dependent on Brown. When Brown is on fire, the Steelers are very hard to beat. When he is contained they can be beaten.

We know that Jimmy Smith can slow down Brown better than any cornerback in football. Smith is the difference maker in this rivalry. If Ben Roethlisberger misses one of these games it looms large, and Smith missing the game has proven to be the same kind of impact. Last year though, the Ravens learned an important lesson.

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When Marlon Humphrey was asked to take on the top receiver in the game, the Alabama cornerback held his own. When Brandon Carr was put on him, it was game over, touchdown Brown. Should Humphrey be put in a position to be the number one cornerback because of the seemingly inevitable injury to Smith, he can win the battle. Humphrey is a player that plays with the same exact style as Smith and he may be even more talented (if still a little unrefined). At full strength the Ravens can surely handle the best weapon on the field. Without Smith, an improved Ravens secondary actually has a chance for once, assuming Humphrey shadows Brown.

Humphrey and Smith together could be a nightmare for the Steelers, especially with more help at CB:

JuJu Smith-Schuster is a dangerous weapon especially in the slot. The Ravens have a few good options at nickel cornerback that could completely take away this threat. Tavon Young would be my bet, but don’t rule out Anthony Averett and Brandon Carr. All three players could be needed to stop a pass happy Steelers offense.

The Ravens know how to play against Bell. They have to be patient, fill the gaps and swallow him up in the backfield. Bell’s patience is hesitation when a rushing lane never emerges. Brandon Williams is the key there. The Ravens have the kryptonite to the Steelers superstars, which gives them a chance. Remember when it comes to the Steelers offense it is about slowing it down, not always stopping it.