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Ravens vs. Steelers full preview: What you need to know

By Chris Schisler

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tony Jefferson #23 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a defensive stop during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tony Jefferson #23 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a defensive stop during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Willie Snead #83 of the Baltimore Ravens makes a catch while being defended by Joe Haden #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Willie Snead #83 of the Baltimore Ravens makes a catch while being defended by Joe Haden #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

The Baltimore Ravens are about to travel to Heinz Field to battle the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is your one stop preview. We’ll start with bullet points on the game. Then it’s time to project the top performers in the divisional battle. Finally there is a look at the keys to victory:

Here are some bullet points for the Ravens vs. Steelers game on Sunday. Stats for this post were collected from the Ravens and Steelers NFL.com team page.

  • The Ravens and Steelers make up what is arguably the best rivalry in football. Without Ben Roethlisberger and Terrell Suggs it will be different. That doesn’t mean the rivalry means anything less to these teams.
  • The Ravens are 2-2 coming into this game. Baltimore won the first two games and the offense had everyone excited. After two straight losses the defense is a huge concern.
  • The defense is giving up 302 passing yards per contest. This ranks the Ravens 30th against the pass.
  • Mason Rudolph has taken over for the injured Roethlisberger. He has been very efficient with the short passing game and has completed 67.6 percent of his passes. He is a competent game manager who has thrown six touchdowns and two interceptions. The defense has to be ready to stop check downs and running backs in the passing game. James Connor leads the Steelers in receptions.
  • Jaylen Samuels has emerged as a running back to keep your eye on for the Steelers. He has 10 receptions for 72 yards and has been taking snaps in the wild-cat formation the Steelers used against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Related Story. 3 problems facing the Ravens defense, 3 solutions. light

  • The Ravens will want to lean on their run game. Mark Ingram averages six yards per carry this season. The Steelers allow 122.8 yards per game on the ground.
  • Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown got off to very hot starts in 2019. The Ravens need to get them back to having big numbers to get back into the win column.
  • Look out for Nick Boyle in the passing game. He is surprisingly third on the team for receptions. He has nine grabs for 107 yards and is still seeking his first NFL touchdown.
  • 40 of Lamar Jackson‘s 87 completed passes have been to the tight end. Andrews leads the team in receptions and only trails Brown in receiving yards.
  • Don’t expect a big day from JuJu Smith-Schuster. Marlon Humphrey just took Odell Beckham Jr. out of the equation for the Browns and he can do the same to the Steelers’ top target.
  • James Connor and Vance McDonald are both on the injury report for the Steelers. Either player being a scratch would be bad news for Pittsburgh and great news for Baltimore.
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