Ratbirds @ Steelers Sunday Nov 17th 2024 Pre-Game and Gameday Thread

Going to be an interesting matchup. The Ravens offense is clicking, they've got some decent receivers, a TE that can still pick a defense apart, and a QB that looks to be improving in the passing game. Their Achilles heel seems to be their defense, strangely enough.

My keys to this game:

The Steelers will win if...

1. The O-Line plays bully ball and holds off the Ravens' pass rush.
2. They establish the running game with Najee/Warren/Patterson and control ToP limiting Jackson's and the Ravens' offensive opportunities.  
3. The Steelers are more physical defensively and the pass rush gets home.
4. The Steelers defense limits Derrick Henry's success.
5. Russell Wilson can take advantage of a suspect (and depleted) Ravens secondary.

The Steelers will lose if...

1. The o-line allows the Ravens to consistently get pressure on or sack Russell Wilson.
2. The running game sputters out and Russ is forced to carry the offense.
3. The Ravens defense is more physical and their pass rush gets to Russell Wilson.
4. Derrick Henry has a big game and the Ravens control ToP.
5. The Ravens force turnovers.

I expect the Ravens' gameplan defensively is going to be a lot of pressure. I think they are going to try to take away the run, and that they're going to throw a lot of different stunts and blitzes at our O-Line trying to get pressure on Wilson to make up for their mediocre secondary play. It looks like Kyle Hamilton is likely not going to play, he hasn't been ruled out yet, but hasn't been in uniform at practice. That means their already suspect secondary is going to be dealing with an injury to one of their best players and offensively we have to exploit that. If they bring a lot of pressure, Russ needs to be on point getting rid of the ball and take advantage of their aggressiveness by hitting some big throws down the field.

Offensively I think the Ravens are going to try and establish the run early with Derrick Henry. If our defense can't bottle him up that'll open things up for Lamar Jackson to make plays, and play action would become a good option for him. Our defense needs to be on their A-Game. They have to bring the pressure, and they have to get home with it. The D-Line cannot have a game like they did against the Giants. Derrick Henry is older, but the guy is a monster and we can't let them run the ball down our throats otherwise this is going to be a long day. We're also going to have to keep contain on Jackson, we can't let him extend plays and break out into the open field using his legs.

Gonna be a toss up, but I do like our chances at home, and we should be able to exploit this Ravens secondary. That being said this is a rivalry game, and generally these always come down to the wire. I expect a nail-biter that comes down to the wire.

Buckle that chin strap a liitle tighter Ravens Week.

24-21 Steelers.

3 people to key in on for our D.
Jackson- we can't let him lose on the run. Make him beat us with his arm while we attack relentlessly.
Flowers-bump him at the line to try to disrupt his route.
Henry- This dude is still a beast. We need to limit his production by wrapping him up. I don't care how big and fast he is if you slam his ankles together he will go down and he will remember you.
Patrick Queen needs to keep playing like he did last week. Let him spy on Jackson.
Maybe they actually makes some holding calls so TJ can hunt. I think Herbig is cleared to play so that'll be a boost.

Thank you Derrick, early Christmas gift

Ravens cheating already.

Steelers up 3 nothing, we'll be right back.

C'mon Calvin, you gotta catch that one.

Third and one...Move the chains...

Missed it. Yes.

In a game where history favors a 3 point game it's awesome watching Tucker miss 2 in a row.

That's very Ravensian of them in this matchup, have one of the best kickers historically, miss two kicks in a row.

I am not watching this game but I can smell it from here. Is it the line or is Russ holding the ball too long?

A little of both, Dave. Line hasn't done a great job, they need more short passes.

Ravens on the move now unfortunately.

Well we better WTFU in the second half. The D is holding their own but it sounds like the Oline is taking the day off. Russ has been sacked 4 damn times.

Show us something O.

Geez Pickens.

Boz for MVP.

solardave wrote:

Boz for MVP.

OMG YES.

Russ is getting sacked partially because guys ain't getting open, but also because he's holding onto the ball too long. The o-line has given him good time a few times and he had nowhere to go with the football. I did not like Arthur Smith's play design in the 1st Half. The Ravens are susceptible to TEs in the seams and Freiermuth is largely absent. We should be taking advantage of their aggressive blitzing/pressure and Russ needs to start seeing the middle of the field. I remember one play where Jefferson was wide open in their zone coming across the middle and Russ didn't see him.

Defense is playing well enough, the offense is keeping the Ravens in this game.

Shout out to Patrick Queen as well. Dude is flying around, laid the wood on Bateman on one play, then gets a forced fumble off of Likely. He's impacting games now.

One more point... Broderick Jones better clean it up in the second half. His play in this game hasn't earned him the right to be flapping his jaws and he nearly got us a costly penalty. Oweh is beating him like a drum. He should focus more on doing his job and less on trying to talk shit.

Forget MVP I say Boz for POTUS.

Boz - As we were saying, Dave?

solardave wrote:

Forget MVP I say Boz for POTUS.

Ya beat me to it, hence my comment AFTER yours.