 | | Jaworski on the Ravens |  |
Even though they are the defending Super Bowl champions, the Baltimore Ravens are trying to find their identity, particularly on offense. They haven't been able to get the running game going, putting more pressure on either Elvis Grbac or Randall Cunningham to make plays.
Surprisingly, the Ravens' defense has been struggling of late. They are uncharacteristically giving up a lot of yards. Teams seem to have developed a blueprint of how to attack the defense -- spread them out and make their linebackers play in space. Offenses have to play finesse football against the Ravens. It may have all started Week 17 last season against the Jets, who spread the Ravens out and gained 524 yards, although the Jets had six turnovers and lost the game. This season Green Bay did a great job of attacking the Ravens, and Jacksonville rolled up 364 yards last week. The Ravens will have to do a better job on both sides of the ball against the surging Steelers.
Five keys for the Ravens:
1. Blitz pickup. The Ravens must handle the blitz packages of Steelers defensive coordinator Tim Lewis, who has done a terrific job with the Pittsburgh defense, ranked first in the NFL. The Steelers use the only base 3-4 defense in the NFL. So what Ravens offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh must do is keep his packages simple and pick up the Steelers' blitzes.
2. Pass-protect. Not only should the Ravens be alert for the blitzes, but they must give Grbac or Cunningham time to throw. The Ravens' offensive line hasn't played well together, giving up five sacks last week against Jacksonville. The Steelers, meanwhile, lead the NFL with 24 sacks. Pass protection is critical to the Ravens' success.
3. Run better. If the Ravens fall behind like they did last week, they will be in trouble again. They have to run the football effectively and then use the play-action passing game to stay out of the known passing situations, which plays into the Steelers' hands. It appears that Terry Allen may be out, meaning Jason Brookins, who gained 82 yards a week ago, would be the primary back to shoulder the load.
4. Prepare for the pass. It's almost scary to say it, but the Ravens have to be concerned with the Steelers' passing game, which seemed to wake up Monday night. With the Titans loading up eight and even nine in the box, Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey went to the passing game. Plaxico Burress and Kordell Stewart were on the same page on some deep balls. Mark Brunell exposed the Ravens' vulnerability to the pass, lighting them up for 284 yards. The Ravens must pay attention to Burress, who is the Steelers' difference-maker now.
5. Stop the Bus. Yes, it's obvious, but important. The Ravens must make Jerome Bettis the focal point of their defense, because everything the Steelers do begins with him.
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 | | Salisbury on the Steelers |  |
The Pittsburgh Steelers have taken the proper steps to build a championship-caliber team, and they took one more step on Monday night with their passing game. The biggest problem had been Pittsburgh's inability to throw the ball. The Steelers needed production from a receiver other than Hines Ward. Plaxico Burress, after a season and a half, had a coming-out party. Kordell Stewart played with great poise and confidence. The running game is in great shape. Jerome Bettis is the nastiest runner in the league.
The Steelers already knew their defense was as good as any team's in the league. The defense is aggressive and fast and will keep them in every game. Their four linebackers are as fast as any four in the league. Man for man, the Steelers are playing like the league's best defense. The Steelers believe they can win the Super Bowl this season, and they are playing like it. But against the world champion Ravens, the faint of heart need not apply. There will be a lot of bloody noses and nasty football. There may not be a better smash-mouth game all season.
Five keys for the Steelers:
1. Pressure-packed defense. The Steelers don't need to do anything different on defense. I think they relish the challenge of looking across the line and seeing the Ravens. They want to make a statement; the Ravens were the best defense last year, and they are the best defense this year. Pittsburgh will pressure, pressure, pressure because that's what the Steelers do best.
2. Productive passing game. Bettis is the best runner in the league, but the Ravens have no intention of allowing a 100-yard rusher. Getting 75 against the Ravens is like getting 150 against most teams. So the Steelers need their passing attack to produce like it did against Tennessee. Stewart will have to make plays throwing the ball, and he can throw on the Ravens, who have given up passing yards lately.
3. Get their kicks. I think the outcome will come down to a field goal at the end of the game. The game will be close, low-scoring and physical. The Steelers' Kris Brown must out-kick Matt Stover and not miss his field-goal opportunities. If Brown misses, it could be the difference in the game.
4. Burress must be big. Now that he has had a great game in the NFL, Burress must show some consistency and not rest on the laurels of one game. He knows he has the tools. With the Ravens guarding against Bettis and the Steelers' run game, Burress will see single coverage all game. And he has to win his individual matchups outside. The Steelers need a big game from Burress.
5. Favorable field position. The Ravens have been up and down offensively. Randall Cunningham got them a win last week, although it wasn't easy. The Steelers must win the field-position battle. They can't let the Ravens' offense work with a short field. The Ravens have struggled to run the ball, and Terry Allen is banged up. The Steelers have to make Baltimore go the distance to score. |
