Before we ramp up with last week’s results, I’d like to say a few words about the Ravens-Steelers rivalry, and my opinion on the rivalry in recent years.
*clears throat*
*except this is written, not dictated, so that was all for naught*
*cracks knuckles- there we go!*
There are 2 types of folks in the sports media world (bloggers, writers, analysts, TV personalities, etc.): those who are willing to eat crow and admit when they were wrong… and those who simply “pull a Cian Fahey” (if you tell him he’s wrong- even if he is wrong- he just blocks you).
As such, I’d like to grab a fork and eat crow in regards to the Ravens-Steelers rivalry…
As recently as last season, I dubbed this rivalry dead. Over. Kaput. Finito. I justified it with recent results, blowout wins on both sides of the ball, and a disregard for the historic records, as games 10 seasons ago have zero impact on the newer Ravens fans, nor the teams out there on the field come Sunday.
I’ll admit it! The rivalry still exists!
Is it what it once was? Not at all, but that is more a function of the slow, downward spiral of the NFL as a whole. Those fans who still devoutly follow their respective teams have this week circled on their calendars, start reliving stories of Ngata breaking Ben’s nose, or Bart Scott pummeling Ben, or Sizzle’s leg-interception of Ben… basically all stories terrorizing Ben Roethlisberger, really…
The players keep the rivalry heated as they live through the history of the head-to-head match ups between these teams, and realizing the potential implications of these 2 games each season.
At the end of the day, the mutual respect that the Steelers and Ravens have for each other, along with the intensity that comes with the territory, makes this rivalry what it is, and there’s no denying that.
Now back to our 2 Minute Drill….
Around the league…
With Week 13 in the rearview mirror… ummm…. let’s see… some stuff happened… and some teams beat some other teams… some suspensions happened… and… yea…
Let’s be honest: at this juncture in the season, there’s only 2 things we care about:
- The playoff picture, and
- Where the Ravens fit into it.
After last week’s results, the Ravens currently hold on tight to that 6th seed, with a chance to move up to the 5th seed, and hell, they could push for the AFC North title still… pending an implosion by the Steelers and a squeaky clean finish to the season for Baltimore.
While it seems extremely far-fetched, crazier things have happened for this Ravens team, right?
Last Week: Ravens 44 Lions 20
What a whirlwind of emotions last week for Ravens fans!
Taking an early 20-0 lead, Ravens fans were through the roof and a little be shocked, honestly (if you try to tell me you expected a 20-0 lead I’d ask to submit you to a polygraph).
Then… the wheels started to fall off.
Jimmy Smith went down with an Achilles injury, and the Lions promptly outscored the Ravens 20-7 over the next 30 minutes.
But as fate would have it, the Ravens went on to seal the deal thanks to a Justin Tucker 51-yard field goal.
And an Alex Collins TD run (2nd of the day).
Oh, and an Eric Weddle pick-6.
Ravens move to 7-5 on the season, with their sights set on Pittsburgh and rivalry week!
This Week: Ravens @ Steelers
Sunday 12/10 @ 8:30pm
There’s no secret to the Ravens injury issues this season, but it appears in recent weeks the Ravens have finally started to gel and the backups we once lamented are starting to find their stride.
The offensive line that we once feared following the loss of Marshal Yanda now seems very serviceable (dare I say, good?) and with the return of Danny Woodhead, it’s almost as if the simple fact that Joe Flacco knows he has a safety blanket is enough to settle him down, and ultimately improve his overall game.
On the other side of the field, however, the Steelers will be dealing with a few big name losses this Sunday, as stud LB Ryan Shazier is out indefinitely with a scary spinal issue, and rookie WR JuJu Smith-Schuster gets the week off courtesy of a 1-game suspension after a viscous blindsided blow to Bengals a-hole linebacker Vontaze Burfict. JJSS made sure to stand over Burfict jawing after the hit, just to make sure he could nail that suspension and avoid playing the Ravens this Sunday.
Obviously.
So the defense for the Steelers loses one of it’s key leaders, while the offense loses it’s 2nd best receiver, and 3rd best weapon.
First Christmas related gif of the season- expect many more!
Consider me the Clark Griswold of RSR…
Prediction Time!
This game comes down to emotional roller coasters.
The Ravens are currently riding high, having won 3 straight following the bye, 4 of their last 5, and I still think they should’ve had that Titans game (their only loss in the last 5). The offensive line has started to gel, Flacco’s confidence seems to be trending upward, and the defense continues to catch more pass attempts than Breshad Perriman.
On the flip side, the Steelers are in a fragile, emotional state.
It’s tough to see a teammate go down with an injury, for sure. It’s even harder when you know his injury is potentially career threatening, and more so, threatens his daily life. Following Shazier’s injury last week, you could see players and coaches on the Steelers sidelines shaken and distraught- an emotional state and distraction that I believe carries over to Sunday night for Pittsburgh.
-Flacco throws for 275 yards, and 3(!) touchdowns, finding Mike Wallace, Ben Watson and Gritty Woodhead in the end zone.
-Alex Collins rushes for 80 yards, but a bulk of it comes on a 40-yard carry (think Houston game stats)
-The defense picks off Ben Roethlisberger twice (Eric Weddle, Brandon Carr), and holds Le’Veon Bell under 100 total yards on the day.
Ravens improve to 8-5 and suddenly, ticket prices for the final 2 home games of the season start to trend north, as the playoffs become more than wishful thinking!
Except… I’m going to predict a loss for my score, if only because every time I do that, the Ravens blow somebody out.
PIT 31
BAL 28
You can thank me later!
Rest of the Slate
Cowboys @ Giants Sun 12/10 @ 1pm- First game at the helm for interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo, and Eli’s first game back following the nonsensical end to his consecutive game streak, broken by a coach the Giants fired less than 48 hours after the decision and impending loss. I just want to see Eli light it up against the Cowboys, look up at the owner’s box, and tell him he’s #1…
Eagles @ Rams Sun 12/10 @ 4:25pm- The Eagles are 10-2 on the season, but 1-2 versus teams with a winning record (beat Panthers, lost to Chiefs & Seahawks). The Rams (9-3) are arguably the best team they’ve faced all season, and they’ll be doing it on the road. Can LA silence the Philly phans that have been mumbling about the Super Bowl for weeks now? Let’s hope so because man, are they annoying…
Patriots @ Dolphins Mon 12/11 @ 8:25pm– Without Gronk, the Pats could be in trouble… just kidding, they’ll roll the Fins, and nobody will watch outside of the Boston market, unless you’re one of those people who watch for fantasy implications instead of getting notifications on your phone. Weirdos….
Rank Em!
Steelers week deserves a special kind of Top-5.
Something that isn’t as simple as “Top 5 games vs Steelers” or “Top 5 Moments” or something that’s been done.
No, I need a fresh angle. An obnoxious angle.
GOT IT!
Top 5 Big Ben Faces
5- “Man that Pabst tastes like ass coming back up…”
4-Â “I was gonna throw to ball to Bell, but I got high…” (sing it like Afroman)
3-Â “Man I miss the 80’s…”
2-Â “Jesus, what did I eat?! Indian food? Is that Indian food?”
1-Â “It doesn’t hurt so much here, or here… but right HERE…” (Courtesy of Haloti Ngata)
