AFC North Division Rivals Set for Defensive Battle
Week 15 presents one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL between two AFC North division foes as the Steelers travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens this Sunday.
Ray Lewis describes the Ravens - Steelers rivalry perfectly:
"Ravens / Steelers? This is a man's game."
On paper, this AFC North match-up should be one intense defensive battle. Pittsburgh enters the contest ranked No. 1, while the Ravens are No. 2.
11 Pro Bowl defenders will be starting, 6 for the Ravens (Pryce, Lewis, Scott, Suggs, Reed and Rolle) and 5 for the Steelers (Smith, Hampton, Farrior, Harrison and Polamalu).
The Steelers have lost 5 straight games in Baltimore, but 2 of the losses came in overtime (13-10 in 2003, 16-13 in 2005).
In the final week last season in Baltimore (12/30/2007), the Ravens defeated the Steelers 27-21.
Over the past 5 seasons, the Steelers have won the AFC North twice (2004, 2007) while the Ravens have also won twice (2003, 2006). The Bengals won the AFC North division in 2005. Pittsburgh wound up in the playoffs as a Wild Card, but went on to win Super Bowl XL. Coincidentally, the Ravens were the Wild Card entry in 2000 on their way to winning Super Bowl XXXV.
CBS Analyst Bill Cowher and former Steelers Head Coach on the rivalry between the Ravens and Steelers:
"It's about two hard-hitting teams that take pride in how they play the game of football . . . It's called a rivalry. And I think that's what you have between Baltimore and Pittsburgh . . . The bottom line is you want to send a message. There are certain players that represent their teams. Hines Ward represents what the Pittsburgh Steelers are about and how they play. Ray Lewis represents the Baltimore Ravens and how they play. These are the guys that you want to send a message to on that given Sunday."
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) at Baltimore Ravens (9-4)
First-place Pittsburgh holds a one-game edge over Baltimore in the AFC North, so a win by the Ravens will tighten things even more.
"We want to be division champs," says Ravens rookie head coach JOHN HARBAUGH, who has led the club from a 5-11 finish last season to its current 9-4 mark. "We're not backing down from the fact that that's our goal."
Both teams are hot right now: The Ravens have won 3 in a row and the Steelers have 4 consecutive victories.
The Ravens have won seven of their past eight with rookie QB JOE FLACCO throwing at least one TD pass in those games. The Steelers have won five of their last six, including their 10-point comeback thriller over Dallas last Sunday.
The Ravens like this streak: Pittsburgh has lost its last five in Baltimore.
The Steelers rank first in total defense allowing only 241.9 yards per game this season.
The Steelers have yet to allow an opponent gain 300 yards of total offense this season. The Steelers gave up 289 yards in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys, marking the 13th straight game this season they have held their opponent to less than 300 yards of total offense. The 13 straight games marks the second-longest streak to start a season in the NFL since 1970.
Pittsburgh also ranks first against the run, allowing 73 yards per game. Baltimore is 3rd (77.0). The Steelers rank first versus the pass (168.9) as well, while the Ravens aren't far behind at 2nd (176.4). The Steelers are on track to become the first team since the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles to lead the NFL in all three categories.
It's also a meeting of two of the best safeties in the league -- TROY POLAMALU of Pittsburgh (with a league-leading seven interceptions) and ED REED of Baltimore (tied for No. 2 with five pickoffs). Reed was recently named AFC Deefensive Player of the week for his effort against the Redskins last week.
"Reed is probably the best safety, him and Polamalu, that I've played against," says Washington QB JASON CAMPBELL. "Those guys are relentless."
Steelers - Ravens Series: Pittsburgh Owns a 15-10 Edge
The Pittsburgh Steelers own a 15-10 record all-time against the Baltimore Ravens in the regular season, including a 9-4 mark at home and a 6-6 record on the road
The Steelers have lost five straight at Baltimore, including a 27-21 setback last year (12/30/2007).
The Steelers are looking to sweep the season series for the fourth time after also winning the home and away contests in 1997, 1998 and 2002. The Ravens swept the 2006 season series, marking the first time Pittsburgh had been swept in the series
The Pittsburgh Steelers have won nine of the last 15 games overall in the series, including a 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff victory at Heinz Field (Jan. 20, 2002).
Last Time: Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Baltimore Ravens 20 (September 29, 2008)
Jeff Reed kicked a 46-yard game-winning field goal in overtime as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, 23-20, on Monday Night Football. Reed's 46-yard field goal was his third of the game (49, 19) and marked his seventh career game-winning field goal.
The Steelers improved to 3-1 while the Ravens fell to 2-1.
The Steelers game-winning drive in overtime came after Pittsburgh's defense stopped the Ravens three-and-out on the first series. On the game-winning drive, backup RB Mewelde Moore caught a 24-yard pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger that set up the eventual gamewinner.
Moore came into the game after starting RB Rashard Mendenhall (filling in for the injured RB Willie Parker) and FB Carey Davis both left the game with injuries.
The Steelers struggled throughout the first half unable to sustain any drives as they finished with just 46 yards of total offense in the first two quarters and found themselves trailing the Ravens 13-3 at the half.
However, the Steelers scored 14 points in 15 seconds in the third quarter and establish a 17-13 lead.
After Roethlisberger hit WR Santonio Holmes for a 38-yard touchdown, LB LaMarr Woodley picked up a fumble on the Ravens' first play from scrimmage and darted seven yards for a touchdown.
Reed's 19-yard field goal with 9:19 left in the fourth quarter made it 20-13, but Baltimore responded with a nine-play drive that ended with Le'Ron McClain running in from two yards out to eventually force overtime.
The Steelers limited the Ravens to just 97 yards of total offense in the second half and overtime. For the game, Baltimore had 243 yards of offense to Pittsburgh's 237.
Roethlisberger finished 14-for-24 for 191 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception. Mendenhall had 30 rushing yards on nine carries (3.3 avg.) before leaving with a shoulder injury.
LB James Harrison led the Steelers with 2.5 sacks, 10 tackles and a forced fumble. Woodley added eight tackles, 1.5 sacks and fumble return for a score.
NFL 2008 Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Dallas Cowboys 13
The Steelers stunned the visiting Dallas Cowboys by scoring 17 points in the final 7 minutes and 15 seconds turning a 13-3 deficit into a Steelers 20-13 victory.
The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 10-3 with the victory to remain one game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North Division.
Scoring was at a premium in the first half as neither offense was able to get on track against two of the NFL's better defenses. Pittsburgh started the scoring with a 24-yard field goal by K Jeff Reed but Dallas answered with a 44-yard field goal by K Nick Folk as time expired in the second quarter to tie the game at 3-3 heading into the intermission.
Dallas struck first after the break when QB Tony Romo marched his team 67 yards in eight plays to take a 10-3 lead when he hit WR Terrell Owens over the middle for a 12-yard touchdown reception. That marked the first time this season that the Steelers defense gave up a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half. Romo and the Cowboys stretched that lead to 13-3 on their next possession when Folk connected from 33 yards away to make the score 13-3 in favor of the Cowboys.
The Steelers began their comeback when Reed nailed a 41-yard field goal with 7:15 to play to get the Steelers to within seven points. QB Ben Roethlisberger was able to tie the game at 13 on the Steelers next possession when he engineered an eight play, 67-yard drive of his own that culminated with a six-yard touchdown strike from Roethlisberger to TE Heath Miller.
Overtime appeared certain until CB Deshea Townsend completed the comeback for the Steelers. Townsend intercepted a Romo pass intended for TE Jason Witten and took it 25-yards down the left sideline for a TD and an improbable 20-13 victory for the Steelers.
Ben Roethlisberger finished 17-of-33 passes for 204 yards with one touchdown for a passer rating of 80.9. WR Nate Washington led the Steelers with four receptions for 58 yards (14.5 avg.) while RB Mewelde Moore also had four catches for 36 yards (9.0 avg.).
LB James Harrison tied a team record by recording his 15th sack of the season. DE Travis Kirschke and LB James Farrior also registered sacks. SS Troy Polamalu had his league-leading 7th interception of the season and CB Ike Taylor added his first interception of the season.
NFL 2008 Week 14: Baltimore Ravens 24, Washington Redskins 10
Facing an explosive Redskins offense, Ravens Safety Ed Reed registered two tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a fumble return-touchdown in the 24-10 victory over Washington.
Reed recorded his first interception of the game on Washington's opening drive when he picked off Redskins' quarterback JASON CAMPBELL, which led to a LE' RON MC CLAIN touchdown run on the Ravens' ensuing drive.
Midway through the first quarter, Reed forced and recovered a CLINTON PORTIS fumble and raced 22 yards for a TD as the Ravens took a 14-0 lead.
Baltimore extended its lead to 17-0 in the 3rd quarter on a 32-yard Matt Stover FG. The Redskins closed the gap to 17-10 on a 43-yard Shaun Suisham FG and a QB Jason Campbell TD toss to WR Antwaan Randle El (5 yards). However, the Ravens concluded the scoring with a QB Joe Flacco toWR Derrick Mason 28-yard TD with 3:35 left in the game.
With two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the veteran safety sealed a Ravens victory when he recorded his second interception of the game. Through Week 14, Reed has five of the Ravens' league-high 22 interceptions.
For his effort and spectuclar performance Ed Reed was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week. In his seventh year from Miami, this is Reed's fourth career Defensive Player of the Week Award. Reed most recently won the award in Week 12.
The Steelers - Ravens Rivalry
CBS Analyst Shannon Sharpe on the Ravens & Steelers:
"There is a lot of dislike between the Ravens and the Steelers. . . . Ok, hatred, between these two teams. This is the Hatfields and McCoys. What you try to do is, you try to impose your will on one team, then they try to impose their will on you, because you want to send a message. This is all about mental. Because both teams . . . all teams in the NFL are physically gifted, but mentally you want to say, 'We're tough today' ".
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin on if the biggest rivalry the Steelers have is with the Ravens:
"Well, you know we've got some big rivalries in this division. We think the Cleveland one is pretty big, too, but I'd be hard-pressed to pick one over the other. It's the people involved [who make the rivalry]. That's a dynamic group over there, led by some strong-willed people. I believe that we have the same here, and I think it creates for an interesting matchup."
Hines Ward on if the Ravens are the Steelers biggest rival:
"Yes. There's no question about it. I mean, for the past couple of years it's either been Baltimore or Pittsburgh winning the division, and it's just been that natural respect for one another. But there's no love lost between [the teams]. The rivalry itself is just based off of the way we play against each other. It's always been a physical game, and regardless of records or what not, we know going into the game it's always going to be a tough one."
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-3) Notes
- - The Steelers have 10 wins in consecutive seasons under head coach MIKE TOMLIN as the Steelers aim for 11 wins for the first time since 2005
- - In his past 2 starts vs. the Ravens, QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER is 2-0 & has completed 27 of 40 passes (67.5 pct.) for 400 yards with 6 TDs vs. 1 INT & 129.2 passer rating. Including playoffs, team is 29-2 (.935), when Roethlisberger has 100 or more passer rating. Roethlisberger aims for 50th career win as starter (49-19)
- - Since 2007, RB WILLIE PARKER averages 87.3 rush yards per game vs. AFC North (611 total)
- - In 5 career games vs. the Ravens, WR SANTONIO HOLMES averages 20.5 yards per catch (19 receiving for 390 yards)
- - TE HEATH MILLER has 4 TDs against the Ravens (most vs. any opponent)
- - Club is tied for 1st in NFL with 45 sacks (Dallas)
- - LB JAMES HARRISON (15) & LB LA MARR WOODLEY (11.5) have totaled 26.5 sacks in 2008. Harrison (15) needs 1 sack to surpass MIKE MERRIWEATHER (15 in 1984) for most sacks in franchise history
- - S TROY POLAMALU aims for 5th consecutive game with INT
BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-4) Notes
PREDICTION: Baltimore Ravens 20, Steelers 17
Pittsburgh comes into Baltimore this season with alot more at stake, so expect their best.
The Ravens have turned things around after a 2-3 start to open the season. In a three-week span, the Ravens faced the Steelers (Week 4 L 23-20), Titans (Week 5 L 13-10) and Colts (Week 6 L 31-3). In losing those three games, the Ravens have somehow transformed themselves. The Ravens defense is better focused while their offense led by Joe Flacco has improved tremendously. Many predicted that the rookie quarterback would be good. Still, he has been a pleasant surprise.
The Steelers are a team to be reckoned with.
However, away from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have not been that impressive on the road. Yes, a win at New England is still something to build confidence upon and the Steelers did it in impressive fashion winning 33-10 a few weeks ago. But, this is not the Patriots juggernaut of seasons past.
In addition, the Ravens only home loss was dealt to them by the Titans. In that game, the Titans fought back from behind scoring 10 points in the 4th quarter. The Titans touchdown with 1:56 left to play was a result of a somewhat questionable penalty against the Ravens defense.
Home-field advantage which is significant in this series and an improved Ravens offense will decide this game amongst AFC North division rivals in the Ravens favor, 20-17.
NFL FOOTBALL NEWS & ARTICLES
BASEBALL | BASKETBALL | COLLEGES | FOOTBALL | GOLF | HOCKEY | OLYMPICS | SOCCER | TENNIS
Receive our NFL News & Analysis by email by subscribing here
NFL Super Bowl History
NFL Super Bowl History, Scores, Summaries & Super Bowl MVP Articles
AFC North Division Rivals Set for Defensive Battle - NFL 2008 Week 15