Ebony Bird
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Three things to watch for as Ravens clash with Steelers

By Ian Schultz

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 29: Running back Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes in front of cornerback Joe Haden #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 29: Running back Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes in front of cornerback Joe Haden #23 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Aug 17, 2020; Owings Mills, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (78) during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2020; Owings Mills, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (78) during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

1) Line em up

So I asked twitter this week which front seven is better, the Ravens or the Steelers. The results through 200 votes are 58% Ravens and 42% Steelers. For what is a partisan Ravens following base, these numbers aren’t too surprising. In all honesty, I am kinda stoked the Flockers had it that close as most polls typically lean 75+% in favor of the Ravens side of the coin.

However, overall, the Steelers front is the best group in the NFL. And it might be the best group of any group in the NFL. Yes I am that high on them.

They feature a pair of “in their prime” bookend pass rushers in T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree who have combined for 10.5 of the Steelers league leading 26 sacks through six games. Considering a majority of NFL teams have played seven games so far, that is extremely impressive. Stephon Tuitt, Cam Heyward, and Tyson Alualu patrol the middle of the group and have combined for 6.5 sacks of their own to date.

In 2020, one of the biggest points of struggle for the Ravens has been the offensive line. I am not going to tell you that the unit has been awful this year because that’s not accurate, but it is fair to say the group has been middle of the road to this point. Their performance is the number one cause of the overall offensive struggles so far. Yes even more than that dang Greg Roman whom everyone was lamenting potentially losing just 6 months back.

Related Story. 3 things that Ravens need to do against the Steelers. light

Tackles Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr. will need their best performances of the season to keep Watt and Dupree from wrecking this game for the Ravens offense. The interior of the Ravens line which we assume might see some changes will likely feature Bradley Bozeman and Matt Skura and either Tyre Phillips, Ben Powers, or Patrick Mekari at right guard.. Whichever combination the Ravens go with, that group will need their best performance of the season as well.

In conclusion, if the Ravens offensive line doesn’t play well Sunday, this one ends up in the loss column. The Steelers are too talented up front for the Ravens to survive another subpar offensive line performance.

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