SportsCrack

Monday Night Football preview - Ravens @ Steelers

With several of the previous Monday Night match ups being unsavory to say the least, it’s nice to see one that both looks good on paper and means something division wise. While I’m leaning towards a Steelers win, you just never know. So, in the interest of fun, let’s take a look at some factors and storylines for tonight’s game.

Let’s start with a quote from Ray Lewis, the heart and soul of the Baltimore D and probably the only person ever to get barred from being on a Wheaties box:

“I think this game sums up, really the National Football League, and I really think it sums up our division. Nothing is a secret about the way these two teams play against each other. We know it’s going to be physical. They’ve got the No. 1 defense; we’ve got the No. 2 defense. It’s going to be one of those classic games.”

The games last year were certainly not classics, however. Pittsburgh got destroyed 27-0 in Baltimore and then spanked 31-7 in Pittsburgh. But with Ben Roethlisberger’s dome piece apparently feeling much better than last year, and his appendix too, will this year be different? What say you, Mr. Roethlisberger?

"You know how you felt afterward. You got embarrassed twice, once here, once there. It's not a good thing. It leaves a taste in your mouth. They roughed us up, a lot. We need another all-around performance like we had last Sunday, in all phases of the game."

These quotes and stuff are all cool and good, you say, but who fares better in the major football categories? Well, fuck, let’s find out! And without the wise cracks.

Offense

Baltimore – There has been talk of poor offensive play calling effecting Baltimore, but we’ll get to that later in the coaching section. The Ravens are 17^th in the league in offensive YPG (326.7) and 24^th in PPG (17.7).

They have one of the more dynamic backs in the league in Willis McGahee and a proven but aging QB in Steve McNair. The receivers have been less than stellar, with Derrick Mason making up for an under the radar year for the rest of the corps.

The offensive line has been effective blocking for McGahee who’s fifth in the league in rushing yards with 639. They’ve been even more effective protecting Steve McNair, allowing only 4 sacks on the season, tied for first in the league. Not a bad year so far for the Baltimore offensive line, I say.

Pittsburgh – The Pittsburgh offense has been much more potent this year, and it seems they are back to the Steelers smash mouth football of yore. They are 6^th in the league in offensive YPG (361.1) and 5^th in PPG (26.3).

Ben Roethlisberger is having one of the best years of his career with a 102.2 passer rating thus far. Willie Parker is having a spectacular year as well and if it were not for the rookie beast, Adrian Peterson, he might have won the rushing title. As for Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes… while not having monster years, they both are both threats and always viable passing options.

The big men up front, while doing a great job run blocking for Willie Parker, haven’t been as good protecting Ben Roethlisberger. He’s tied for taking the sixth most sacks in the league.

Edge: Steelers. While I would give the nod offensive line wise to the Ravens, the Steelers are running the ball well and passing the ball well. They are back to the smash mouth football they are known for, with a little bit extra.

Defense

Baltimore – The Ravens are 2^nd in the league defensively in YPG (268.0). They are 6^th in the league in PPG (17.0). Obviously they are having another great year defensively, and with Samari Rolle back from an injury, they should get even better. They will have a huge test against the Steelers offense, especially since the only team they’ve played with a great offense was Cincinnati, giving up 27 points in a loss.

Pittsburgh – The Steelers are 1^st in the league in YPG (256.9) and 1^st in PPG (13.0). They are also a lot more proven than Baltimore’s defense, having played Cleveland, Seattle and Cincinnati which were all wins and gave up only 20 combined points to all three.

Edge: Steelers. Easy pick.

Special Teams

Baltimore – Matt Stover has hit 18 of 21 of his kicks going 12-12 under 39 yards and 6-9 from over 40 yards. Not bad. The kick returning team is averaging 27.7 yards per return with 0 touchdowns.

Steelers – Jeff Reed on the other hand has only kicked 11 times, but he’s connected on 10 of them. He’s made all of his kicks that were not over 50 yards. The kick returning team is averaging 25.8 yards per return with 1 touchdown.

Edge: Steelers. Although Reed hasn’t kicked as many as Stover, he’s been more efficient. And the kick return team for the Steelers has the touchdown edge. Done.

Coaching

Baltimore – Brian Billick hasn’t been the most popular play caller this year, even with his own defense. Let’s here what Ray Lewis had to say about him:

“We knew he [Willis McGahee] should have touched the ball when you have a fourth-and-one. Old-school football is old-school football. If there is a yard I need to get, there is a running back, a fullback and an offense that is meant to get that.”

Very true, Ray, very true. He goes on:

"You can't make oranges be peaches. It doesn't change. It will never change. That's what Billick has to ask himself, why we keep putting ourselves in those situations. In the Cincinnati game, that cost us with those same decisions."

Are these accusations true? Thankfully, I know first hand, from my friend 'Killamed' who has Willis McGahee on his fantasy team. Here is what he has to say about Brian Billick's antics:

"He's retarded. I hate him. Who throws twice on the goal line, then brings in Musa Smith on third down when McGahee has been having such a monster day? A pussy, that's who."

Too harsh? Maybe. But what do you expect from someone who has the word 'Killa' in their nickname.

Steelers -- Compared to Billick, any coach could get the nod. But Mike Tomlin has lived up to expectations and brought the Steelers the identity they seemed to lose last year. Plus, he looks exactly like Omar Epps.

Edge -- Steelers.

And... the overall edge goes to the Steelers, in a sweep.

Steelers win 24-13.