It’s going to feel like a lifetime waiting for 8:20 on Sunday, but once it’s here the rivalry officially resumes. IT’S STEELERS WEEK.
I hope Steelers fans have plenty of tissues ready, because this game has the potential to leave a flood of tears in Pittsburgh, PA.
Before we get really get to the game, enjoy this quick video of the many uses of the Terrible Towel:
Click here to view the embedded video.
Alright, let’s get to the strategy.
On Offense: While 55 points might be a stretch this week, the offense should be able to do enough to claim an 8-2 record. Cam Cameron is going to have to put together a pretty balanced game plan against the number one overall defense in the league, but the key to this one is letting Joe Flacco take control of the offense and call plays at the line.
We know that points might be at a minimum on the Steelers’ side of the ball, so Dick Lebeau is going to throw the kitchen sink at the Ravens offense this week.
Flacco has to make sure that he can audible out of any formation and play, to win the chess game between Lebeau and himself.
We can’t let this game come down to a two-minute drill yet again. Put points on the board early, so we can shut up everyone at Heinz Field.
On Defense: This is where the game will be decided. With Byron Leftwich under center, a major possibility for big plays on D comes about! Leftwich is 0-6 in his last 6 starts and played very poorly in the second half of last week’s game against the Chiefs.
Yes, the pass rush has been absent for the majority of the season, but this is a time where we HAVE to get after the QB. In his 10 years in the league, Leftwich has shown that he lacks good decision-making abilities, as he has thrown more INT’s than TD’s.
If we can bring in a 5th man to rush the passer and can get guys like Suggs and Ngata in his face, it’s going to be a looong night for fans at the Ketchup Bottle.
Keep an eye out for the secondary personnel that takes the field on Sunday. With Jimmy Smith being out indefinitely, an expanded role for Chykie Brown and newly acquired Chris Johnson could be in place.
Special Teams: Sure, we probably won’t get two TD’s from our Special Teams this week, but there is one thing that jumps out on the stat sheet:
Out of 43 kickoffs, Shaun Suisham has only booted 15 for touchbacks. With field position being a big battle, this could bode well for the Ravens as Jacoby Jones has displayed he is one of the better return men in the league.
While I am confident for a BIG win in Heinz Field, I don’t think I will sleep until Monday Morning. Until then- GO RAVENS!
