Business is about to pick up for running back Ray Rice, and he welcomes the chilly reception.
He only had 13 carries for 25 yards in a 55-20 rout of the Oakland Raiders last week, but that only was because the Ravens’ passing attack was working so fluidly at home.
Quarterback Joe Flacco had his first 300-yard passing game since Week 4 when the Ravens also were at M&T Bank Stadium.
Going into Sunday night’s game at the Pittsburgh Steelers, who the Ravens play in two of the next three weeks, Rice anticipates his services will be needed a little more. The near-freezing temperatures projected for Heinz Field suits him just fine.
“You put a little bit of Vaseline on your skin, warm your body up so your skin doesn’t crack,” said Rice, a New York native. “I don’t wear any sleeves. I’m not that kind of guy. I played up north. I’m used to this cold weather. I know how to prepare for it.”
On the road, Baltimore is 2-2 this season. It averages just 17.5 points per game. At home, that number more than doubles to 36.8. That points to a possible grind-it-out matchup with the Steelers (6-3), who won’t have quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder).
