Sometimes you just have a feeling.
This is one of those times.
We’ve seen the Ravens make history almost weekly this season: The 7 turnovers in Week 1 against Pittsburgh; the 3 touchdown 1st Quarter for Torrey Smith in St. Louis; the 3 defensive touchdowns against the Jets; the biggest comeback in franchise history against Arizona; even the stink bomb against the Jaguars, when the Ravens couldn’t manage a first down for almost three quarters.
It’s been a season of historical achievements, even bad ones. And it’s not even at the halfway mark. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen.
But I can’t shake the feeling that this year’s edition of the Baltimore Ravens is just better than the Pittsburgh Steelers. What happened in Week 1 wasn’t a fluke.
They’ll reinforce that point Sunday night against their most bitter rival.
It’s well documented that this team has yet to beat Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh. So given the way they’ve made history almost weekly, it’s time for another chapter. This is the perfect time and the perfect situation to stop that streak. And it’s the perfect team to do so.
Think about it as objectively as possible. The Ravens defensive front seven is superior to the Steelers offensive line. The Ravens are getting healthy at just the right time in the secondary to match up against the Steelers depth and speed at wide receiver. The Ravens offensive line could get a major boost if Ben Grubbs returns Sunday night. The Steelers defensive strength at linebacker is questionable at best given the injuries to James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley and James Farrior. All signs point to Ray Rice having a superior game to Rashard Mendenhall.
And whether they would admit it or not, there’s simply more pressure on Pittsburgh to win this game. It’s in their house. They cannot afford to be swept by Baltimore. Everyone – coaches, players, front offices, and fans know the consequences of a Ravens sweep.
The time is right to end the streak against Big Ben on his home field.
It just feels like one of those seasons here in Baltimore. Time to continue making history.
Sometimes you just have a feeling. I do.
Do you feel like I do?
Ravens 23 – Steelers 20
