Steelers vs Ravens

[tsylvester]

It is a Saturday kickoff, one day less for each team to rest up, heal up, get up for this game. Quite frankly these teams do not need much more than to hear the name of the other to be fired up for this match up.

Stats & records mean little at this point. Both teams are fighting for the division title, Pit leads by 1.5 games. Despite losing last Sunday to the Iggles, Pit clinched a playoff spot while the Ravens are still in the hunt.

Pit has had the Ravens number, we all know this as do the players & coaches.

A win for the Steelers will have them clinch the division, and win by the Ravens will get them one step closer to it and, get one monkey off of their backs.

The Ravens seem to play this game tight, trying too hard to play a perfect game. Turnovers, penalties, missed opportunities all lead to the Ravens losing these games.

But you cannot try to play perfect, as Yoda said, you either do or do not.

The Ravens just need to relax and play, collapse the pocket on defense, make a wall for a pocket on offense. Simple right?

So who ya got?

[papasmurfbell]

Lamar chokes in this game.  Our penalty issues will be exploited.  We also can’t apply enough pressure.

[tsylvester]

I think you are wrong about the pressure. With Pierce back in the lineup, he and Madds will be in Wilson's lap, and, it gives Jones a break so he can come in fresh to continue the pocket pressure.

With Wilson, pushing it into his face is important, he panicks.

I do agree about the penalties, one way or another they will get 8 penalties, but when and what type?

[papasmurfbell]

With one of the worse ol in the league we had very little pressure yesterday.  

[tsylvester]

DeVito was constantly pressured, that is why the Giants just ran thr ball.

By the time Doyle came in the game was over, players relaxed a bit, normal. Plus it was the 1st game back for Pierce.

[papasmurfbell]

With tat ok put together with bellybutton lint and used cooking grease the ravens should have gotten home so much more.

[oldno82]

I think you summed it up best when you said the Ravens just have to relax and play and not try to be perfect. That’s when they’re at their best. When they play loose they can overcome adversity.

[papasmurfbell]

They play that way against lesser talent. 

[papasmurfbell]

Looks like Bateman is down

[oldno82]

Pickens is ruled out too. Watt looks like a go.

[tsylvester]

More playing time for Tez Walker, speed baby speed! The boot could just be precautionary, resting that foot for Bateman. Algholar did work out on a side field so perhaps that concussion is waining.

The bigger loss is for Pit, if Pickens can't play, that offense takes a huge dive.

Short week though, an ingrown hair will land you on the day off list

[oldno82]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing that Walker would play more. Actually I think he should anyway part-time so to speak and give Bate a rest.

Pickens out definitely helps our penalty infested secondary but they still will have their hands full with Wilsons moon balls.

This game could go anywhere from nail-biter to unexpected easy victory---for either team.

[papasmurfbell]

I still worry about sending Williams and Stephen’s pulling the pi over and over.

[tsylvester]

Oh they will target Stephens no doubt.

Shame this game is Saturday, college playoffs starting. I will skip the Kc vs Houston game and watch the college game before the Ravens.

If the Ravens weren't playing I would skip all of the people games

[papasmurfbell]

I have been wrangled in to watching some labs for the game.  The gf watches them but she is watching another dog then.  The owners are going to the game.

[tsylvester]

Algholar out, Bateman still questionable Pickens out, per Espn

[tsylvester]

Preseason hero Anthony Miller has been brought up with the waive of Johnson

[tsylvester]

Ugh, Fox has this game, we have to suffer through Brady

[tsylvester]

Merry Christmas everyone! Maybe the Ravens will give us an early Christmas present...

[tsylvester]

The place looked packed!

Ravens get the ball 1st, Steelers deferred, touchback

[tsylvester]

Henry up the middle for 6

Henry left side for 15

Hill in

Wide receiver screen to Flowers for 3

Throws over the middle to Flowers for 13

Henry left, no gain

Back to pass, strip sack, but recovered by Ravens

3rd and 19, chased from the pocket, throws it away

[tsylvester]

Stout boots it to the 2, Wallace knocks it back out of the endzone, covered and downed at the 2! Great special teams play

[tsylvester]

Oy another boxing movie, come on man! No imagination in Hollywood any more

[tsylvester]

Harris right, breaks a tackle, gets 5

Up the middle gets 3

It is loud

Empty

Wilson get chased from the pocket gets hammered as he throws it away. Flag, illegal shift, declined, punt time

Nice 3 & out

Punt to the Ravens 30, King with a great return but fumbles forward, recovered by the Ravens, thankfully

 

[tsylvester]

Ravens take over at the 40 of Pitt

Henry up the middle for 13

Coming up on 8 mins

Henry left through the grand canon of holes for 14

Henry starts left, stiff armed, breaks free for 9

Steeler player, Porter, goes down late