To call Week Three a disaster for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) and the Baltimore Ravens (2-1) would be an understatement. The Steelers lost in overtime against the hapless Chicago Bears and the Ravens were embarrassed in the U.K. by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sunday gives both teams a chance to rinse their mouths out with victory.
The game will be broadcast on your local CBS affiliate at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (+3)
O/U: 42.0
The History
The rivalry officially only goes back to 1996 when the Ravens fled Cleveland and left the Browns moniker behind. Still, it’s been a hot one with playoff seeding and AFC North crowns consistently on the line. Pittsburgh leads it 25-21.
Before the Steelers won 31-27 last season on Christmas day, Baltimore had reeled off four straight victories in the series including a 30-17 beat down in the playoffs on January, 3, 2015.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-1)
With the exception of Antonio Brown, no Steelers offensive player has had a particularly good game this season. Last week’s pathetic loss to the Bears was more of the same. Ben Roethlisberger was barely over 50 percent passing, completing 22 of 39 for 235 yards and a touchdown. Le’Veon Bell, who I thought would finally break out, rushed just 15 times for 61 yards and a TD. He did catch six passes for 37 yards so it wasn’t a complete disaster.
This could be a good game for rookie wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. No. 2 wideout Martavis Bryant hasn’t practiced all week with an illness and even if he does dress, he’ll probably be cycled in and out. Tight end Jesse James is banged up too, but should play.
On defense, the much needed return of rookie T.J. Watt is on tap. He’s been a full participant in practice all week and after Pittsburgh produced just two sacks last week against Mike Glennon, of all lawn ornaments, he has been missed.
The key for Pittsburgh will be utilizing Bell to keep the heat of Roethlisberger. The Bears got to him three times last week and, Jaguars game notwithstanding, the Ravens bring a much better pressure package to the fore. Bell will get plenty of opportunities to grab quick passes and outlet balls. Antonio Brown hasn’t been stopped yet and there’s no reason to believe this game will be any different.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-1)
As bad as the Steelers felt Sunday afternoon, the Ravens had to be on suicide watch after a 44-7 curb stomp at the boots of the Jacksonville Jaguars. At one point around 11 a.m. or so I got an alert on my phone that Joe Flacco had been benched like it was some kind team-altering deal and not just John Harbaugh pulling him in a blowout. It was a chaotic day.
If there was a positive to take out of that game, and there weren’t many, it was the performance of running back Alex Collins. The second year man out of Arkansas carried the ball nine times for 82 yards and gave the team a little more explosion at the position than starter Terrance West.
As for injuries, the good news for Baltimore is tight end Benjamin Watson was back on the practice field Friday after missing all week with a calf injury. No word yet on the status of tight end Maxx Williams or starting defensive tackle Brandon Williams, but my guess is they won’t play.
Is there a recipe for success based on Pittsburgh’s loss to the Bears? Other than running all over them, not that I can see. I’m not sure West or Collins have that ability. This game will likely come down to the performance Baltimore gets from Joe Flacco and their defense as it always does.
The Pick
For some reason, the Ravens consistently give the Steelers problems, especially at M&T Stadium. If only one of these teams had lost last week, I’d pick that bunch to win. That’s just how it works. With both teams shitting the bed like a 130 year old Civil War veteran, I’m going with the home team. Ravens 23, Steelers 20
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 7-9
Against the spread: 6-10
Season
Straight up: 28-19
Against the spread: 22-25
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