Ravens @ Steelers, Week 14 Gameday Thread

It's almost that time, boys and girls. When the bullies of the AFC (in terms of physicality) meet face to face for a second time, but neither team has looked to be their usual selves this season. The Baltimore bullies have struggled to take as much lunch money from other teams like they have in the pre-2012 years. This year, teams have been fighting back and winning. The Ravens have been able to defend themselves fairly well in their fights, but have lacked any offensive strength to do damage to their opponents. Baltimore has managed to put on some respectable points lately. Let's look at the Ravens numbers since the halfway point of the season (week 8). Remember, all of these are since week 8

- 91 point differential. 3rd behind the Patriots (96) and Eagles (93)
- NFL low 3 turnovers committed
- NFL high 14 forced turnovers
- 278.6 ypg allowed (3rd best in that tie)
- 11.8 ppg allowed (2nd best)
- Scored 30 ppg as a team (4th best)

These things make up a great recipe for NFL success. Last week people doubted whether or not the Ravens defense could maintain against a top ranked offense. This week, the question will be whether or not the Ravens can hang with a top ranked team.

Meanwhile, those Pittsburgh bullies have been struggling with their victims, but they've managed to land the final blow in many matchups. Sure they've struggled against the inferior teams, but at the end of the day you maintain that Bully status. Pittsburgh could clinch the AFC North today with a win so please believe they'll be playing with more heart than they might play with in any regular season game this season. Especially while trying to fulfill the one wish asked of them by their injured star ILB, Ryan Shazier. "Beat the Ravens".

Speaking of injuries, both teams are the walking wounded. The Ravens injuries have been discussed all season, but they now added arguably the best defender on their team and arguably the best CB in the league, Jimmy Smith. The Steelers will be without Ryan Shazier, Joe Haden (who's been out for awhile), and a suspended JuJu Smith-Schulster. This could be an interesting day in Ravens vs Steelers land where the game is dictated by both offenses. As Ravens fans, let's just hope we have one today

 

Nice pick up by Woodhead. Short game looking like its going to be working tonight.

 

A Joe Flacco interception. Three defenders around the WR to go along with throwing the ball 5 yds short of the receiver.

 

That was close!

 

Good thing to get them to burn a TO this early.

 

Jefferson, Weddle and Mosley all whiffed on that. Terrible.

 

Didn't matter.

 

What killed them the most, besides Flacco's stupid interception, was nobody covering James over the middle for 2 first downs.

 

Flacco & Maclin are not on the same page. Haven't been for a couple of weeks.

 

Moore looks good. Looks like he's cured himself of the dropsies. A couple of nice catches so far.

 

I'm probably a play or two behind.

What the hell is going on with this team?

 

Looks like the Ravens chose to be flat on prime-time

 

Another slow start. But, Flacco's interception really took the momentum from the team

 

And, they're getting outplayed and out coached.

 

Good no challenge by Harbaugh. That wasn't getting overturned. He caught it right when the first foot was leaving the ground.

 

14-0 coming

 

Bryant did trip but it was an indirect result of the hold.

 

Not a foul. Not a catch by brown either, but would not have been overturned.

 

Je4fferson just got trucked by Bell. He's not looking too good tonight.

 

90 yard drive.