[mrb5150]

Steelers-Ravens rivalry:

The rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the most intense in the National Football League. Both teams are members of the AFC North division, and play at least twice a year in what are often battles for division supremacy. Both teams are known for fielding tough,hard- hitting defensive squads, giving their games an extra element of physical intensity.
The two teams have met in the post season twice, with the Steelers coming away victorious both times. They are the only two teams in the AFC North to have won the Super Bowl, and possess a combined 7-1 record in the game.

Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers
History:

1st Meeting September 8, 1996
Last Meeting December 27, 2009
Next Meeting October 3. 2010
Number of Meetings 28
All-time Series Pitt: 19-11

Pitt, 7-7 @ Baltimore
Pitt, 12-4 @ Pittsburgh

Regular Season Series Pitt-17-11

Pitt, 7-7 @ Baltimore
Pitt, 10-4 @ Pittsburgh

Largest victory Pitt: 37-0 (11/9/1997)
Current Streak Pitt: won 1

Longest Bal Win
Streak 3 (2005-2006)

Longest Pit Win Streak
5 (1997-1999), (2001-2003)

Post Season Series Pit: 2-0

January 20, 2002 Steelers won 27-10
January 18, 2009 Steelers won 23-14

Championship Success:

Super Bowl Championships (7)

Pit (6)- 1974,1975,1978,1979,2005,2008
Bal (1) 2000

Conference Championships (
Pit (7)- 1974,1975,1978,1979,1995,2005,2008
Bal (1)- 2000

Divisional Championships (21)

Pitt (19)-1972,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1983,1984,1992,1994,1995,1996,1997,2001,2002,2004,2007,2008
Bal (2)- 2003,2006

Baltimore Ravens:

Always known for their ferocious defense though the years led by all-pro Ray Lewis, H. Ngata, T. Suggs, who are part of a front seven that's one of the best in the game like the Steelers in stopping the run. Ray Lewis is the lynch pin of this defense leading them in his vocal antics, emotional outbursts, and cheer leading, but his performance on the field makes him not only the leader of the team, but the face of the Ravens.
Through the years they won their games predominately by defense, now they are trying to improve their offense with the addition of Bolden, Houshmandzadeh combined with Mason, Heap, and their strong run game led by Ray Rice.
This is a team most people in the Media picked not only to win the division but compete for a super bowl berth, only one problem stands in their way the ..........Steelers. They will be coming to Heinz field with a chip on their shoulder like they always do, so the games this week will be typical of all Steeler Raven games.......Physical.

The Steelers:

Starting with the suspension of Ben there was some uncertainty entering the 2010 season, which was compounded by the loss of Willie Colon for the season, the trade of Santonio Holmes to the Jets, and who would be the QB until Ben gets back.
Mike Tomlin had a tough task of determining who would be his starting QB entering the regular season. Through training camp Tomlin had to divide reps for Lefty, Dixon, and Ben with Batch watching. Lefty had the majority of snaps with the first team, so it was presumed he would be the starter come opening day, however he was injured in the pre-season which gave Dixon the opportunity to be the starter opening day. After a slow start he had a decent outing considering it was only his second start in a regular season game. Then game two with the Titans Dixon injured his knee and is expected to miss extended time. Out of nowhere Charlie Batch was elevated to fill in for Dixon, complete the Titan game and start the following week against Tampa Bay, literary rising from the ashes as it was expected he would be released. With a solid week of practice under his belt Charlie performed admirably against the Bucs throwing for 3 TD'S and a run that also contributed to the success of the offense.
Now it's game four against the Ravens, and we are sitting on top of the AFC North with a chance to have a two game lead over the Ravens if we win this game. Many thought that a split with the four games would of been good, now that we have a shot of being 4-0 after this game is remarkable considering what this team has been through.

The Match Ups:

Raven run defense vs. Steeler rushing attack:

Historically the Ravens had great success's against our running game, very few yards. were gained against their front seven led by the great run stopper of Ngata, and Ray Lewis. This is the strongest part of their defense so it may be a tough day for Steeler backs to gain positive yards, but you never know how the outcome will be.
EDGE____ Ravens

Raven Pass offense vs. Steeler pass defense:

Even though the Ravens bolstered their receiving corps it won't be enough for the Ravens to have success getting to the end zone, as Flacco will be seeing the turf on a regular basis with the best LB corps in the game.....Steelers leading the way. With Troy healthy and Aaron Smith back it will be a long day for Flacco and company.
EDGE______Steelers

Steeler Pass Offense vs. Raven Defense:

This could be a disadvantage for the Steelers, since Big Ben won't play and Raven killer Santonio Holmes is now with the Jets. However Charlie Batch has the ability of having success even when the chips are down, we seen it when he was expected to be released then elevated to play in this game. The success he had against Tampa Bay may very well help him in this game, all he has to do is manage it and limit turnovers. While Holmes is departed we have a potential Raven killer #2 in Mike Wallace who I believe can put some damage on the Raven weakness their.....pass defense.
EDGE-Steelers

Raven Run Offense vs. Steeler defense:

The Steelers are one of the best if not the best in stopping the run, but in the past Ray Rice found a way to gouge our defense for some good yardage, but I don't think that will be the case in this game, we might not stop him from gaining positive yards. but we will limit his production as well as the other backs they have.

EDGE-Steelers


Intangibles Ravens:

You can throw out the window their past three games, like all Steeler Raven games it promises to go down to the wire giving the rats a chance. They will try to exploit Batch and pressure him and disguising their coverages to their advantage, and find a way for rice to hit the crease for some long gains. Their defense will be extra motivated in this particular game on account its a divisional game and they don't want to fall behind two games to the Steelers.
They don't have Ben to deal with and killer Holmes that plagued them in the past.

Intangibles Steelers:

We have a sound record of taking care of business against the Ravens at home with the stellar play by our defense and the home crowd, but the biggest battle to win in this type of game is turnovers, something I believe will be the ultimate factor on who wins this game. I trust our defense to win that battle, led by another Raven killer Silver back who transforms himself to Super Human when these two giants collide.