Offense
1. Three wide, shotgun set: There are as many storylines as there are Pro Bowl players to line up on Sunday night. Among the key concerns is whether fullback Le’Ron McClain will line up at fullback when the grudge match between AFC North rivals ensues.
Given McClain’s potential unavailability, the offense will have to operate from more spread formations.
Against Pittsburgh, the formation of choice would be a shotgun set in which T.J. Houshmandzadeh is the third receiver, and the backs next to quarterback Joe Flacco are tailback Ray Rice and tight end Todd Heap. This was the formation that the Ravens used after McClain left the game against Tampa Bay.
Through this look, Flacco will have more targets on the field to take advantage of potential mismatches, especially against the Pittsburgh base defense. Both Heap and Rice would keep edge rushers James Harrison and Lamar Woodley honest.
Moreover, the two players could serve as able chip blockers, available to help out offensive tackles Michael Oher and Marshal Yanda in their pass blocking duties.
With a third receiver on the field, Flacco could stretch the seams. If the safety commits to doubling the slot receiver, the X or Z receiver will have man coverage to work against.
2. Motion Boldin: Much has been made of receiver Anquan Boldin’s dwindled production since the beginning of the season. This would be the perfect game to bring Boldin back to life heading into the stretch run.
Opponents have concentrated on taking the physical wideout away as an option in the passing game. Against Tampa Bay, Boldin was routinely shaded by two defenders.
The extra attention Boldin has received has led to greater opportunities for the other receivers.
However, Boldin is the team’s most dynamic and complete pass-catcher. He needs to touch the ball against Pittsburgh on Sunday night. In fact, it can be argued that the Ravens acquired him from Arizona to play in this game.
The best way to free Boldin is to move him all over the field. He should motion to the slot, flip back and forth between both outside positions, and run off of interference pattern sets such as the stack or bunch trees.
Boldin should be the target underneath and deep. He needs to be used in space, to attack the vulnerable Pittsburgh defensive backs.
This is a game that Boldin needs to take over and he should be featured prominently this Sunday.
This is a game in which the Ravens must dictate the tempo and nullify the rush. One of the best ways to overcome an unpredictable rush attack is to be equally unpredictable in the protection schemes and play design.
Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron runs an assortment of play-fakes in which the guard will pull and the line will block down, giving the appearance of the run, only for the play to result in a pass. These plays, along with moving the pocket, using some backside pass plays, and getting Flacco to throw on the run could stunt some of the Steelers’ mixed blitzes.
Defense
1. Win the early down battle: Winning the down-and-distance battle is paramount for either team to come away with a victory. For the Baltimore defenders, holding the Steelers in check on first down could lead to stops on third down.
2. Flush Roethlisberger: Normally, keeping Roethlisberger in the pocket is what defenses strive for. After all, Big Ben is at his best when he is able to scramble and make plays outside of the pocket.
However, Roethlisberger’s mobility could be sapped due to a right foot injury. As a result, the Ravens must test the foot and see if he’s able to plant and throw with the same velocity.
The Steelers are most vulnerable off the edges, where tackles Jonathan Scott and Flozell Adams have had their struggles. Scott in particular may have a tough time deciphering the blitz if it is disguised a certain way.
The strong side and weak side blitzes should be in full effect, and they need to be deceptively disguised so Roethlisberger is not easily able to check to his hot routes.
3. No home runs: Through the years, in this series, the Steelers have been able to hit on explosive plays through the air to sink the Baltimore defense.
Most of the damage came when receiver Santonio Holmes was still a Steeler. Still, with speedy receivers like Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders on the outside, Roethlisberger has the weapons to burn the Ravens deep.
The Baltimore secondary has to stay disciplined, not fall for Roethlisberger’s fakes, and stay with the receivers when they break off their routes to adjust to their quarterback.
One-on-one Matchup to Watch
James Harrison vs. Michael Oher: Oher suffered a knee sprain and it is still a question as to whether he will suit up come Sunday. If he does, he will have his hands full going up against a man possessed. Not only is Harrison playing as well as any pass rusher in the league, but he has a chip on his shoulder given that he feels targeted by the league. Meanwhile, Oher has struggled at times as a pass blocker. He will need to play with outstanding technique and keep Harrison from winning the physical battle.
BONUS: Ravens v. Steelers Game Day Primer (Key Notes & Stats)
