Despite injuries, age, and lack of talent, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense continues to be among the league’s best. Older veterans like Casey Hampton, Larry Foote, and Ike Taylor have continued their solid play in leading the defense to a number one ranking in total yardage.
I don’t think anyone would deny that the Ravens have equal or even more talent on the defensive side than the Steelers. The Ravens defense suits up future Hall of Famers in Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed, and Haloti Ngata, yet the Ravens defense is struggling to stay dominant.
The difference is Dick Lebeau.
Steelers Defensive Coordinator Dick Lebeau is a great play caller and master of the fire zone blitz scheme. The Steelers bring pressure in a multitude of ways while mixing coverage to confuse the opposing offense. With only two Raven offensive linemen returning as starters in the same spot as last year it is imperative that the offensive line puts on a good showing.
So far this season the offensive line has been a little above average, ranked thirteenth in the league sacks allowed with nineteen sacks and eleventh in QB hits allowed with only thirty-five. However, eleven of the nineteen sacks were given up on the road and that includes a couple of four-sack games in Kansas City and Houston.
The numbers don’t lie and neither does the eye of a fan. The offensive line has not performed their best on the road and as the line goes so goes the entire offense.
Who knows why the line doesn’t play as well on the road? A popular opinion is that Matt Birk’s infamous head bob is easy for the defensive line to anticipate which gives them an advantage when rushing the passer. Maybe the offensive line can’t hear the line calls? Perhaps Ray Rice takes the entire line out for crab cakes on Saturday nights before home games and they just can’t play as good without them.
Whatever the problem is, it needs to disappear on Sunday Night. Whether it’s Jah Reid or Bobbie Williams at left guard, they better be ready to block Hampton and Brett Keisel. Michael Oher cannot afford to be flagged against this defense. Marshal Yanda has an opportunity to dominate and open big holes for Ray Rice. Rookie Kelechi Osemele will get his first taste of the rivalry as he is tasked with protecting Flacco from Lamaar Woodley. Birk, the steady veteran, must hold his ground against Hampton and the inside linebackers blitzing through the A gap.
The Ravens will win if the offensive line can leave their road woes in Baltimore and play as a cohesive unit at Heinz Field. A good performance from this unit could go a long way towards future success down the stretch and in the playoffs.
