Preacher

From an outside perspective - I get the frustration, trust me. Steelers have had the same problems for years. Starting in the last couple games of the 2008 season, our defense started giving up one or two TDs in the fourth quarter almost like clockwork. I bring that up because of the parallels - I'm wondering why the Ravens are going through similar issues to the Steelers especially since both teams have historically had a philosophy of run first, stop the run, smashmouth football philosophy, both aged out a core of vets over the last 3-4 years including a safety each that should both be 1st ballot HOFers, and have won SBs in the last 5 years.. So, part of it may be coaching, but I doubt you can put the majority of the weight of error there (as much as we would like to). The game has changed in the last seven years to tremendously favor a passing attack, and refs seem to call 4th quarter passing penalties tighter than any other time. Seems to me the problem then lies, for both teams, in (1) the struggle to rebuild a new defense since the old one aged out, (2) having to address a new reality in the NFL concerning passing, and (3) the fans' wrong perception of reality in today's NFL. What do I mean by that last one? Take a look at the 4th quarter comeback leaders in the NFL since 1960. If you include Peyton Manning, then 5 of the top 11 QBs are still active in the NFL for career 4th quarter comebacks. An even more telling statistic is 43 4th quarter come-from-behind victories this year in the NFL, up from 31 last year. On average, that's 1 out of every 6 games sees a come-from behind victory, or 3 games per season per team (again, on average). As much as I hate it, the new reality just may be 4th quarter comebacks.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Strange how much our seasons followed each other. Our early wins, then the losing streak, followed by our later winning streaks seemed to be almost parallel. Good luck again the Bungles next week. Here's hoping the Ravens get out of there without injury—or their wallets stolen. Don't know, I was never on that board. SteelersFever, where I originally posted blew up in 2011(ish) with a new owner that tried to charge for access. From it, SteelersUniverse was created, and that's where still post, although a smaller group ended up back on SF when the new owner realized his mistake. I don't know how it is on this board, but things seem to get stale on (most) Steelers boards after a while. You can only read so many "Fire Tomlin!" or "The Defense Sucks!" etc. etc. before it gets monotonous. Same goes with where I post, but at least there, there seems to be quite a few people with good football knowledge.

Although not here often, I usually at least stop by during Steelers/Ravens week (or, since I'm on a Raven's board, Ravens-Steelers week), but I've been so busy this fall I've barely posted on my Steelers forum. Nonetheless, I wanted to stop by and congratulate you all on both the first game and a hard fought game last night - and to post a few observations: Game Observations 1. Juszczyk had a beast of a run. If he has that much heart and leg drive, I'd suggest giving him the ball more often than 5 times a year. Sure, he's not going to turn into a halfback, but with that kind of heart, I'd give him the ball in two-back sets and in short yardage situations and see what the kid can do with it. 2. Pitta was a pain in the arse from the Steelers perspective. I don't know why he isn't utilized more in your offense. Sure, he's had 4 seven-reception-plus games, but He's a good pressure relief valve for Flacco. 3. If I had to pin the Steelers win on one thing, I think it'd be on your surprising inability to shut down Bell and the run game. Surprising, because Bell usually has his worst games against the Ravens. But last night, by him running as well as he did (even though he had some trouble in the 2nd and 3rd quarter), it forced your secondary to account for him, leaving the passing lanes open. 4. I don't know if it was just me, but the game seemed to lack that little extra emotion that usually accompanies these games. Maybe it was because the AFCN was at stake and both teams didn't want to hurt themselves. I don't know. Or, it could be because Hines Ward, Troy P. Ed Reed, and Ray Lewis are no longer playing. General Observations 1. I've decided I hate Steelers-Ravens games. One day, one of these games is going to give me a !%#!$#&! heart attack. I don't mind the intensity, I love the rivalry, but these "Last team to touch the ball might win" games are taking years off my ticker. 2. Terrell Suggs after game interview = very classy. It epitomizes this rivalry - deep-seated respect born of similar makeup, ownership style, and philosophy of football. I'll be honest with you all. It's gotten to the point that, when the Ravens are in the playoffs and the Steelers aren't, I find myself secretly cheering for the Ravens because I respectfully hate them so much . . . if that makes sense. It's more like cheering for the brother you have an intense rivalry with. When it goes outside the family . . . I'll pop by a few times over the next couple of days as I'm in a lull right now with my work. Wish I would've gotten here before the game, because it's somewhat bad form to post only after a win, but I hadn't been by yet.

Just heard about this on my home forum and wanted to come on over and offer my condolences. Times like this we're reminded football's just a game and there's real human beings wearing opposing colors and jerseys. Also, props to John Harbaugh for his heartfelt letter. Well-written and tasteful, which is difficult to achieve with that kind of letter under these circumstances.

Yeah, it doesn't look that bad. http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens/cap/2016/ They're almost at 5 mill in space as is next year. Restructure Flacco's and Smith's cap alone and the team'll be standing with over 23 M in cap room.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much. This year's Ravens reminds me of the 2003 Steelers - just a few adjustments and the Steelers had a 15-1 season the next year. The Ravens will get most if not all their star players back next year, and a hunger to prove this year was a fluke. I'd be more shocked if the Raven didn't challenge for the AFCN title next year.

Haven't been around much this year. Life is just too busy. But when I heard I thought about everyone here. Dang, and I thought my Steelers were snakebit in the injury department this year. To lose both players in the same game . . . Here's hoping they all come back strong next year.

Thanks, everyone. You would think . . . Although to be honest, I'd prefer we pick up one in FA or even trade a draft pick for one. It's taken us three years to develop this particular O line. Our WRs are starting to come on strong, and we have good ILBs. Who knows about outside. Our D Line is developing as well. That leaves our safeties and our CBs, and I don't want to see us drafting both and developing them at the same time. I appreciate it. Wife would say I'm not well, but I think she means "Well in the head." Oh, and have any of you followed the conversation between Suggs and Hines Ward this year? Hilarious. And it shows exactly what this rivalry is about.

Haven't been around here this year, life's been really busy. But I decided to stop in tonight to say congrats. Here's hoping you all thump the Pats* next week. As for my Steelers, I think we've seen the last of Troy P., but on the positive note, I think our rebuilding era has come to an end, and without a losing season (and only 1 winning season out of three, as well). Now comes the difficult part for me. Do I root for the AFCN teams that I despise but respect (alright, team, I just can't respect the Bungles), or some other team that I neither despise or respect. Sigh. Anyway, good luck!

I've been seeing that a bit myself. Personally, I could care less about that since it's the "first one to" that makes the difference for me. It is hard rooting for a team that you love to hate though - one of those "familiarity breeds contempt" issues. Of course, you all winning the SB would just up the ante in the rivalry for next year. It's also nice to see the AFCN have four of the last eight AFC SB teams, and would be nice to see them have three of the last eight SB championships.

First, thank you, thank you, thank you for crushing the hopes of the Pats* again. Now that I got that off my chest, congratulations on the win. Didn't watch it, wife and I went out to the range and then to dinner. However, it's nice to see real football - AFCN football represented in the SB again. Can't say who I'm going to root for. I lived in SF for a few years when they were cellar-dwellers, so it's nice to see them back in the SB. Either way however, wanted to stop by and give you all your due - especially after bombing the last part of the season. I think the entire AFCN took the month of December off. I know my Steelers sure did - as did the Bengals.

Had too much going on to stop by before last night's game. In all honesty, I had it chalked up as a loss. Then again, it's a rivalry, probably the best in the league. So why did I expect something other than a "How the *** did that happen?" game. I said it here before, that we might as well get used to the Steelers/Ravens having a three-game series every eyar. It almost happened last year (stupid crossing route and throw by Tebow), and it did happen two of the preceding three years. So, there's a good chance we'll have a tie-breaker game in a few weeks. I'd say good luck the rest of the season, but I really do hope you lose three of those games, Nothing personal - just the math involved for first place. BTW - both games were decided this year by how many points again? I swear - these teams are trying to give me a friggin' heart attack.

Oh, Lord, isn't that the truth.

Congrats to the Ravens - and to you all. Interesting thing - I was right concerning our defense (only allowed 6 points). I was right concerning our run game (they were able to get some good runs, though they weren't by any stretch of the imagination dominant. I was right about leftwich - He played well enough for us to win the game (10 points). And I completely forgot about special teams = 7 points for the Ravens. O,o Another typical Ravens/Steelers game - and we have another one in just a couple weeks.

Add to that the fact that KC actually is one of the best run teams in the NFL, and it shows you just what a good running game can do for the rest of the team. It won't get a team into the playoffs anymore (A good run first, run only team), but it will still help out tremendously. Also, Titan and Jets were part of the Steelers first 5 games, where we admittedly sucked on defense. No other way to state it. However, at least on defense, everything really started coming together. As far as our offense goes, I'm not as worried, even about last week, because Steelers players are saying that KC defensive players were calling out the offensive plays before the ball was snapped. They knew the system well enough to really muck it up. Vmax - funny thing is, I think the Steelers fans are feeling about the same way concerning this game. For the first time, neither team is going in with confidence that they're going to win the game. That either means that this is going to be a sloppy game, or it's going to be one of those games that intensifies the rivalry because something strange/wierd/unforeseen happens . . . you know, like a Steelers/Ravens game without a fight. Oh - and probably the last time I pop by until the game's over. So enjoy yourself tomorrow everyone - I just hope you don't enjoy it too much. I'll be back by, win or lose sometime next week.

True, but look at the teams he started for in those starts, none of them had the foundational pieces around them that the Steelers have. Also, except for one big run against the steelers by the Raiders, the run really hasn't hurt us per se. Last week featured two excellent running backs - regardless of the team itself, and even then, it wasn't enough. As far as playing subpar talent, I beg to differ. We've played against Chris Johnson (4th in rushing leaders), Jamaal Charles (9th on the rushing list), McGahee (12 on the rushing list), Ahmad Bradshaw (13 on the rushing list), Shonn Greene (18) and BenJarvus Green-Ellis (19 on the list) So, of the top 40 RB's, That's not really "subpar." Looking team effort and Rank, KC is ranked 4, followed by the Giants (13), Tennessee (17), and the Jets (16), all ahead of the Ravens in rushing. Again, whatever you call them, they rank ahead of the Ravens. Also keep in mind, that even though we faced what, four teams in the top half of the rankings (or close), we're actually 5th against the run per game - and once again, that includes allowing a horribly long run by the Raiders early in the year. No, I think our defense will surprise you. On offense, I'm not saying that Leftwich is even close to Ben's talent, or that we won't suffer because if it. I am saying however, that Leftwich still gives the Steelers a chance to win the game. Is it a smaller window? Absolutely, but I'm a lot more confident with him as QB than I would be with the bottom third of starting QB's in this league.

The biggest issue that's faced the Steelers defense over the last four years is fourth quarter defense. Especially this season, it was horrible. However, the last four games has been a complete turn around from the first five games. Here's the stats - percent improvement in the last four games over the first five (and remember, all but one of those first five games were either won, or lost by a single score). The defense faced 46% more drives in the fourth quarter, however: 1. They faced 22% less plays (shut down the opposing offense). 2. The allowed 61% fewer first downs per fourth quarter (2.5 average over the last four fourth quarters). 3. They've allowed .75 (point seven five) points per fourth quarter (91% better). 4. They're 68% better in total yards allowed (38 yards per fourth quarter average). 5. They've only allowed one field goal to tie a game - as opposed to allowing two drives to win. 6. They're 400% better on three-and-outs over the last four games (8 drives, or in other words, only 1.5 drives per fourth quarter were anything other than a three and out). That is the clearest indication that the defense that teams faced at the beginning of the year (Raiders, Titans, Broncos - our losses) is not the same defense taking the field now. I suspect that they will be able to keep this game within one score, and almost shut down the Ravens in the fourth quarter. The question then, is whether the Ravens defense can disrupt the Steelers offense enough. Now, I know everyone is laughing about Leftwich as QB - but has anyone taken a look at his numbers with Pittsburgh? He has no INT's and a QB rating of 92.6 while playing in Pittsburgh. Also, this isn't a rookie or a guy with a couple years experience. This is a vet that has played against the Ravens a number of times, and has a full week of first team practice now. IMO, he presents a much bigger down-field threat because of his cannon of an arm (and he's accurate with it). So if the Ravens choose to cram the box and leave the CB's on an island. A deep, outside pass to Sanders or Wallace will make them pay for that mistake quickly. We're also getting Mendenhall back for the game. I'm split between two lines of thought here. One is that he's rusty and that's bad news when decided on hitting the hole or finding creases. The other however, is that he's a very fresh body going up against a Raven's team in their tenth game with a run defense that is struggling. Sure, the yards per rush average looks good for the Ravens, but in the last four games, the Ravens D is actually allowing 4.45 yards per rush, which when compared to the overall average, is 28th in the league. Of course, I'd be stupid to say that the above stats means the Steelers are going to win. In reality (and I think I've said this every time I've come over here) in these games, stats mean very little. I was also about to post that blowouts are few and far in between. However I realized that's not true. For all the close games we've had, there's also been 11 blowouts (two TD's or more) in the last 34 games (pretty much tied at 6-5 Steelers). Anyway, all that to say that I don't think losing Ben is going to have the impact the Ravens think it will. Against some of the other teams, sure. But the way the defense is going to get up for this game (on both sides), and the offense as well (on both sides), and the fact that we do have a veteran QB in this league that can win games, it'd be just another normal Steelers/Ravens game.

Making one of my two annual pilgrimages to this site to say hi. This was the part of the year I was really looking forward too. Ravens twice in three weeks, Browns twice between now and the end of the season, and the Bungles one more time as well. Then Ben got hurt, and everything isn't as exciting. Nevertheless, the game still has to be played. So - I haven't watched a Ravens' game all season. I've seen scores, and the stats tell me that you're somewhat weaker against the run than in previous years. I hope it's true, because the Steelers are going to have to dominate the run game to take this one I think. My predictions: Whoever wins, it will be within 7-10 points (not counting a last minute pick 6 or fumble return for TD). Both teams will end the game with more injuries than they started with. There will be at least two separate instances that could be considered "fighting" in the NFL. Someone is going to get laid out, and the hitter is going to get a nice fine from the NFL. Besides that, I'm not willing to make any predictions. Before Ben was injured, I'd say I liked our chances of winning. Now, I have to give the Ravens the edge, and admit it's going to be an uphill battle for the Steelers, but I do think it's possible for them to actually climb that hill. Other than that, hope Hurricane Sandy didn't cause too much trouble to everyone - and I read Vmax came through surgery. Good to hear (though it freaked me out, because at first I thought "max" was "Max Starks" and since it is Ravens/Steelers week, of course that'd be big news on a Ravens board. Thank God it wasn't - though I think Vmax would have gladly switched places on the table).

Just stopping by to see what you all were saying about Suggs. As I said on my board, Hate hearing about a player injury. Of course, the rivalry element pops up and says, "better a Raven than a Lion," but I'd prefer it be neither. Good luck to home and hope he makes a full recovery. There's a rumor going around on my "home" board that it's not as bad as originally thought and that he'll be back about mid season. Hope so. I'll probably be back before our first game together. Enjoy the summer.

Wanted to pop by and say congrats to Suggs winning DPOY. In some ways it's surprising when a Raven or Steeler wins it - since both teams have so many great players on defense that team play often overshadows individual effort - even great effort. But he was definitely worthy of the award.

All these guesses about this week cracks me up. There are only two facts going into this game that matter. 1. It's a Ravens-Steelers game, which means nobody has a clue who is going to win and. . . 2. Last weeks games, last month's games, the last time these two teams played, doesn't matter. You can have a Steelers team that is the 32nd team in the NFL in standings playing against a number 1 Ravens team, and it will still be a "slap your mother, kick your father, throw the dog over the back fence" family brawl. Beyond that well, This game just sets up whether the final meeting will be played in Pittsburgh or Baltimore. As much as it kills me to say it as a Steelers fan, I love what the Ravens bring out in the Steelers, and you know giving ANY praise to you guys is like cutting off my one foot.

Thanks. In the end, most people here want to talk football and not smack. That's why I come here instead of other forums when we're playing you all. It's why I like coming back, win or lose. It's nice to get the other perspective on the game. Of course, there really isn't another perspective on this game. As James Harrison said via twitter: Can't say it any better than that and I can't think of any other perspective than that either.

I remember that. I started laughing. IMO, that's one of those penalties that when they watch the tape tomorrow, the ref covers his eyes and shakes his head... "I swear it looked like he just threw him down-guess it was a tackle." -------- Vmax-- Two point conversion? While PA's are special teams to a degree. I am talking more about kickoffs and returns. Brown is turning out to be a good little returner for us. Your punter however has a pretty dang good leg as well.

Well, you all got the first of three. Congratulations. You beat us on two of the three phases of the game. Our ST's was just a tad better, but nothing to brag about. The INT's weren't the Ravens ballhawking. It was the Raven's coverage forcing Ben to hold on to the ball and then make bad decisions. The picks themselves were pretty easy. Honestly, that's a better to get the INT's you all got today, because that is a combination of player and scheme. Your OL was pretty dang good too. Outside of that, let's see. Pushing, shoving, a few punches throwing inside so the refs couldn't see it. Yep, it's another Ravens/Steelers game.

That was a great article to read. Thanks. That is why I love playoff games against the Ravens. Because win or lose (and the ledger is going to even out over time), you KNOW you're going to get a good game. It might be ugly, but it's still going to be GOOD! That, and I think Goodeal has coronary every time the NFL has to promote a Ravens/Steelers game.