Ravens vs. Steelers predictions: Ebony Bird round table
Garrett Ferguson makes his pick:
There is no beating around the bush, this weeks matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers is a make or break it game for the 2019 Baltimore Ravens. The team started off extremely hot the first two weeks and have come crashing down back to Earth the last two weeks, most notably that horrendous loss to the Cleveland Browns.
If the Ravens were to lose to the Steelers this Sunday that would make them 0-2 in the division and 0-2 against conference foes. That would be a deep hole to climb out of only 5 weeks into the season and those conference losses are huge when it comes to tie breakers for that final playoff spot. No matter the outcome, this is going to be a game we will look back on at the end of the season as either a season saver or season sinker.
If the Ravens are going to win this game the defense has to finally show up. The defense played amazing against the Miami Dolphins in week one and their quarterback is a much better player than Steelers backup quarterback Mason Rudolph. The defense was absolutely embarrassed last Sunday and I think they’re going to come out on top of their game this week.
Related Story. Ravens week 5 spotlight: Don Martindale. light
This week has had such a different feel compared to a normal game week because the tension is so strong. The Ravens know they’re much better than what they displayed against the Browns and having Ed Reed come back to talk to the team was a sign the coaching staff is turning over every stone to figure out a way to right the ship.
Aside from the defense, the key to this game will be tight end’s Mark Andrews and Hayden Hurst. The Steelers sport one of the leagues worst coverage linebacker duos in rookie first round pick Devin Bush and Mark Barron. In week three against the San Francisco 49ers the linebacker duo had no answers for All-World tight end George Kittle and I’m sure Greg Roman took note of that when watching the film.
If the Ravens are able to establish the run game, feed their tight ends, and have their defense step up then there is no reason the Ravens don’t win this game. Mason Rudolph is going to have his brain scrambled with Martindale’s complex disguises and that’s why the Ravens defense will pick him off three times.
Prediction: 34-14, Ravens