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Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 predictions for week 8

By Chris Schisler

Dec 29, 2019; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) scrambles with the ball as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) defends during the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2019; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) scrambles with the ball as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) defends during the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) congratulates wide receiver Marquise Brown (15) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) congratulates wide receiver Marquise Brown (15) after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The offense will exceed expectations:

Has the Ravens offense looked great? No. Has the Steelers defense looked great? Yes. There you have the basis for what could prove to be a false narrative. This isn’t a bad offense going against a great defense.

This is an offense with the 2019 NFL MVP still putting up points without hitting their true stride. I keep saying this, and I’ll repeat myself as many times as it takes until the point sinks in. Lamar Jackson is due for a big game. He’s due and the Ravens are traditionally great after a bye week. The Ravens may look better than you expect them to and this game may not be as ugly as it is being predicted to be.

Both teams have had an easy schedule. The Steelers went undefeated, the Ravens have just had one slip from the winning column. Both teams have something to prove whether the before the game narrative fits that fact or not. Respect the Steelers. They’re good.

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

Don’t fear the Steelers. The Ravens have almost the same record, a history of always being ready for this game and nobody knows how good either of these teams really are. Don’t build the Steelers defense into the 2000 Ravens or the 1985 Chicago Bears, especially when Baltimore may currently have the better defense (It’s pretty close).

The fact of the matter is that the following teams pushed the Steelers into a good game: The New York Giants, the Denver Broncos, the Houston Texans, and the Tennessee Titans. Baltimore arguably has a better offense than all of those teams and they certainly have a better quarterback than all of those teams, Texans included. The offense may not have the best day of the season, but it may not be all that bad. It could be a game where Jackson gets in a groove and the offense figures some things out.

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