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When Pittsburgh Has the Ball

The Steelers continue to run a hard-core offensive system that favors the power run that sets up the deep ball from Ben Roethlisberger to Mike Wallace and friends. The play of Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers running back, will be the key for the Baltimore defense to stop. If Baltimore's defensive line can stop Mendenhall and begin to open up lanes for pressure, the Raven linebackers can begin crashing the gaps. Haloti Ngata might be the best defensive lineman in football, and he'll be the player the Steelers aim to stop first and foremost. Double-teaming Ngata means allowing Terrell Suggs to rush off the edge without the help of a guard kicking out behind the tackle. If Suggs can get to Roethlisberger, the Ravens can force turnovers. Big Ben has been near flawless versus Baltimore in their previous meetings.



When Baltimore Has the Ball

The Ravens love to get Ray Rice the ball early and often in their offense. This year they'll also look to stretch the field with Lee Evans and Torrey Smith bringing speed to the wide receiver crew that Joe Flacco was never able to enjoy before. The Pittsburgh cornerbacks can be beaten, especially with three and four-wide sets. Look for Baltimore to spread the field and then use Rice in delayed draws and counter plays to open up the run game against the aggressive Pittsburgh linebackers. If Rice can get in a rhythm and delay the Steeler linebackers, Flacco will have time to tear apart the defense. The key for Baltimore is to get safety Troy Polamalu to creep up into the box, which will open up the underneath and deep passing lanes.



Game Changers

Pittsburgh: Roethlisberger, Mendenhall, Wallace, LaMarr Woodley, Polamalu

Baltimore: Flacco, Rice, Anquan Boldin, Suggs, Ed Reed



Prediction: Baltimore 17, Pittsburgh 14

This is the game of the week. Baltimore versus Pittsburgh. Flacco versus Roethlisberger. The team who wins Sunday night will have the early advantage in the AFC North. In a hard-fought game, the Ravens run game and one deep ball from Flacco to Evans will be the difference.