Ravens battle with Steelers could launch the running game
Things are rolling for the Baltimore Ravens offense, except for the running game. Here’s why the battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers could get the run game going and unleash the full attack of the Ravens offense:
The Pittsburgh Steelers are always a tough test for the Baltimore Ravens, especially in Heinz Field. However the Steelers defense isn’t very intimidating. Pittsburgh ranks 28th in points allowed per game, 29th in yards allowed per game and 25th in rushing yards per game. The Steelers are coming off a game in which they beat the Buccaneers 30-27, after going up 30-10. It was a much needed victory for Pittsburgh but it showed how beatable they are.
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions against the Steelers and Chris Godwin threw in a fumble for good measure. Fitzpatrick still was able to throw for a whopping 411 yards and three touchdowns. Tampa Bay gifted the Steelers with everything they could. They even added a completely blown coverage to their hospitality package, allowing Vance McDonald to look like Ozzie Newsome at the tight end position. With all of the help the Buccaneers offered the Steelers, Pittsburgh barely got their first win of the season.
Peyton Barber only rushed for 33 yards for Tampa Bay, a byproduct of being down 30-10. That being said he averaged 4.1 yards per carry. Kareem Hunt got 75 yards on the ground picking up 4.2 yards per carry. Sammy Watkins added 31 yards on a reverse. The Browns opened the season with a tie against the Steelers. Cleveland racked up 177 rushing yards on the ground. While a good chunk of that came from Tyrod Taylor, the Steelers have shown this weakness against the run from the opening kickoff of the season.
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The Steelers know the Ravens though, and they will want to make Joe Flacco beat them. It is a strategy that has worked for them in the past. A shootout has often favored Ben Roethlisberger in this match up. Expect Pittsburgh to stack the box and try to stop the Ravens rushing attack. This will only help the Ravens, who have a new look offense.
Baltimore comes into this game with the ninth ranked passing offense in the NFL. John Brown, Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead have been fantastic additions to the offense. The Steelers pass defense has been just as problematic as their efforts to stop the run. Joe Flacco will exploit the match ups that all the sudden favor Baltimore in the passing game.
Then the Steelers are going to have a problem. They will have to adjust, but that will just open up the rushing lanes for Alex Collins. When it’s all said and done, Flacco will have a boastful stat line and the running backs will have their best game of the season.
What the Ravens have to look forward to the rest of the year. dark. Next
The Ravens rushing attack is the key to the next level. If Baltimore can get the ground game going, they can have a balanced offense that is next to impossible to stop. The Steelers game is the best chance the Ravens have to get the ground game going. It’s hard to imagine a bigger game for it to arrive.