NFL 2008 RSS
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
The Ravens have won 3 consecutive games and 7 of their past 8 The ravens are 5-1 (.800) at home in 2008
Over the past 8 games, rookie QB JOE FLACCO (1st round, No. 18) has completed 122 of 208 passes (58.7 pct.) for 1,566
yards with 12 TDs vs. 3 INTs & 95.6 passer rating. Flacco aims for 9th consecutive game with TD pass RB WILLIS
MC GAHEE has 3 rush TDs in 3 career games vs. the Steelers FB LE' RON MC CLAIN leads team with 8 total TDs
(7 rush, 1 receiving) Since 2003, WR DERRICK MASON ranks 2nd in NFL with 513 receptions (TORRY HOLT, 549).
Mason (9,895) needs 105 receiving yards to reach 10,000. Mason aims for 3rd game in row with TD reception. Mason posted
8 receptions for 137 yards (17.1 avg.) in last meeting against the Steelers Since 2003, team is 34-10 (.773)
when defense posts 3 or more sacks Club has 7 INTs in past 3 & leads NFL with 22 Since 2002, S ED
REED leads NFL with 39 INTs & has 4 in past 3 Ravens have not allowed RB to gain 100 or more rush yards in 32
games (longest current streak in NFL) LB TERRELL SUGGS aims for 3rd consecutive game with at least half sack.
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.
RELATED NFL 2008 Week 15
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Mad Dash to the Playoffs as NFL 2008 Season Enters Its Final 3 Weeks
The final three weeks of the NFL 2008 season are upon us, and aside from the division-winning Arizona Cardinals (8-5),
New York Giants (11-2) and Tennessee Titans (12-1), it's a mad dash for the nine remaining playoff spots among the 19 teams still
eligible. There will be twists and turns in the remaining 3 weeks of the NFL 2008 regular season.
Giants & Cowboys Look to Get Back to Their Winning Ways
The NFC East champion New York Giants (11-2) look to clinch a first round playoff bye as they visit the
Dallas Cowboys (8-5) in Texas Stadium on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys need to keep winning to insure a playoff berth as they hang on to
the last playoff spot in the NFC. The Giants are 5-1 on the road this season, and the Dallas Cowboys are 5-1 at home.
Saints Face Bears and Chicago's December Chill
The big question is whether Quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints top-ranked NFL passing offense can perform up to
its explosive level outdoors in the December chill of the Chicago night. The New Orleans Saints utilized a more
balanced run / pass attack last week in topping the Atlanta Falcons 29-25.
Real-Deal Panthers Set to Expose Broncos at Home
The AFC West-leading Broncos (8-5) face the NFC South-leading Panthers (10-3) in Week 15. Denver heads to Carolina
sporting a 3-game road winning streak and winners of 4 of their last 5. The Panthers come off their most
impressive victory of the season proving they are the real-deal this season.
No Place Like Home in the NFC South
Falcons host Buccaneers in Make-or-Break Game
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons look to rebound after both lost on the road last week to NFC South Division rivals.
Both teams are in need of this win to maintain their standing in the NFC Wildcard race and perhaps the NFC South Divsion Title.
AFC East Leading Jets Aim to Rebound Against Bills
After defining moment victories on the road against the Patriots & Titans, the Jets have fallen to lesser opponents over the
past two weeks. First losing to the Broncos at home (34-17) and then losing to the 49ers (24-14) in San Francisco, the Jets
now find themselves in a dogfight for the AFC East title.
NFC Division Leading Vikings & Cardinals Clash in Desert
This Sunday's game is a match-up of first-place teams with 8-5 records as the Vikings visit the Cardinals in Arizona.
The Minnesota Vikings have a one-game lead on Chicago in the NFC North. The Cardinals are the NFC West champions.
NFL Playoff Races Intensify as Season Enters Final 3 Weeks
NFL 2008 Weekend 15 - Playoff Races, Playoff Scenarios & Strength of Schedule
With three weeks remaining in the regular season only 3 teams have clinched playoff spots while the race to make the
playoffs is even tighter.
NFL 2008 Week 14 was a week in which three teams clinched NFL playoff spots. The Tennessee Titans (12-1) clinched the
AFC South by defeating the Cleveland Browns 28-9. The Arizona Cardinals won the NFC West by winning 34-10 over the Saint
Louis Rams. And even though, they lost to the Eagles 2-14, the Giants clinched the NFC East by virtue of the Dallas Cowboys
20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFL 1958 Championship: Giants vs Colts
The Greatest NFL Game Ever Played
50th Anniversary of the Greatest NFL Game Ever Played: 1958 NFL Championship at Yankee Stadium
Fifty years ago this December 28, 2008, what would become known as "The Greatest Game every Played" took
place -– the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants at Yankee
Stadium in New York City.
And when Colts fullback ALAN AMECHE burst through a hole
for a one-yard touchdown with 6:45 left in overtime (left) – at 4:51 on a foggy, drizzly day –
he took the National Football League with him into a new era.
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NFL 2008 WEEK 14 SCHEDULE
(All times local)
Thursday, December 4
Oakland at San Diego, 5:00 PM (NFLN)
Sunday, December 7
Miami at Buffalo (Toronto), 4:05 PM
Kansas City at Denver, 2:05 PM
N.Y. Jets at San Francisco, 1:05 PM
Jacksonville at Chicago, 12:00 PM
New England at Seattle, 1:05 PM
Minnesota at Detroit, 1:00 PM
St. Louis at Arizona, 2:15 PM
Houston at Green Bay, 12:00 PM
Dallas at Pittsburgh, 4:15 PM
Cincinnati at Indianapolis, 1:00 PM
Atlanta at New Orleans, 12:00 PM
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 1:00 PM
Cleveland at Tennessee, 12:00 PM
Washington at Baltimore, 8:15 PM (NBC)
Monday, December 8
Tampa Bay at Carolina, 8:30 PM (ESPN)
NFL 2008 WEEK 13 RESULTS – NOVEMBER 27, 30- DECEMBER 1
(Home team in CAPS)
Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27, 2008)
Tennessee Titans 47 DETROIT LIONS 10
DALLAS COWBOYS 34 Seattle Seahawks 9
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 48 Arizona Cardinals 20
Sunday, November 30
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 23 New Orleans Saints 20
N.Y. Giants 23 WASHINGTON REDSKINS 7
Atlanta Falcons 22 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 16
Pittsburgh Steelers 33 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 10
Denver Broncos 34 N.Y. JETS 17
San Francisco 49ers 10 BUFFALO BILLS 3
Kansas City Chiefs 20 OAKLAND RAIDERS 13
Baltimore Ravens 34 CINCINNATI BENGALS 3
MINNESOTA VIKINGS 34 Chicago Bears 14
Indianapolis Colts 10 CLEVELAND BROWNS 6
Carolina Panthers 35 GREEN BAY PACKERS 31
Miami Dolphins 16 SAINT LOUIS RAMS 12
Monday, December 1
HOUSTON TEXANS 30 Jacksonville Jaguars 17
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