What better way to celebrate Halloween than to discuss some of the scary facts regarding Ravens and Steelers? Maybe you would prefer throwing pumpkins into the streets, teepeeing your neighbors house or maybe running around and getting free butterfingers from strangers. Me, I like thinking all day about how I can tie in Halloween to arguably the greatest rivalry in the NFL.
Jimmy Smith's Injury
This couldn't have possibly happened at a worse time. Smith has come around to being one of the top corners in the NFL. He has been shutting down some of the leagues top talent in recent weeks (Julio Jones and Vincent Jackson to name a few). The crazy thing about this injury is how the news broke. We all knew he was hurt, just not how serious the injury was. Initially, "No way it's lisfranc," to,"it's a lisfranc sprain," followed by, "oh my God I think they had to amputate it and give him a robotic one! He's part cyborg now!" Well maybe not that last one, but the competing reports regarding his injury have been downright ridiculous. Anyway you slice it, he's not playing this week against one of the upstart offenses in the league.
Yes, I hate to admit it, the Steelers offense finally doesn't look like dried cat vomit. With a fan base that recently was calling for their Coach's head, Haley the OC as well, on a pike. They were ready to collect heads like they were baseball cards. Much like the Steelers were doing last week when they demolished the Colts at home. This is the same field that Mike Glennon could win on. Andrew Luck, ran out of his last name. Mostly it was, similar to what the Ravens are going to be dealing with Sunday, losing their top corner and Antonio Brown making them pay. Heavily. Big Ben had a career day amassing six TDs (which totally ruined my wife's fantasy experience this past week. That moment a Steeler fan is like, COME ON BEN! THROW THE PICK!) He could do no wrong last week, making those typical throws on the run that he makes with ease to wide open receivers. They made a stout Colts defense that shut down (and shut out) the Bengals the week before look miserable. If we had a few weeks for Smith(or hell even Asa Jackson) to come back I wouldn't be that concerned. However we have no depth at the corner position which is why we should maybe take another look at Champ Bailey. We can pay him in crab cakes for all I care, he can't be as bad as Franks was last week. Both Smith and Asa Jackson are out so I am surprised that we haven't made a move to at least add depth to the position.
Expect more of the same this week. As far as, Ben taking advantage of a poor matchup. So basically if Webb isn't on Brown, he's getting the ball.
Le'Veon Bell Has Arrived
Trick or treat, smell his feet, give him something good to eat...because he has the munchies. Anyway, with all this passing offense, don't forget about Le'Veon Bell. He is not just productive running the ball but catching as well. Totaling over 100 yards from scrimmage in each and every game this season. He already has 1,086 yards from scrimmage and averages 5.93 yards per touch. Get him the ball twice and they get a first down. Which the Ravens were just giving away last week. Especially on third down where they had been performing well this season, the Bengals unfortunately converted over 50 percent of their third downs. He has proven to be one of the top running backs in the game today. Even though he may not be lighting up the scoreboard (only crossing the goal line twice this season) he has still turned into being the most consistent back today.
With as tight as a game like this could be you know those third down conversions are going to be crucial to sustain long drives to keep the ball out of Big Ben's grubby, gigantic hands. Who knows, maybe when our boys drive 80 yards we will actually put points on the board instead of running yet another play-action pass that doesn't work.
Tight Games Plus All My Daughter's Halloween Candy....
Just means that everyone should stay away from me on Monday morning. Come hell or high water I will be watching the game in its entirety. Win or lose I'm going to be grumpy and probably not want any of your crap.
Now that my silliness is out of the way, these games constantly come down to the last seconds. I will never forget the game when the Steelers were up by 10 and we came back with a game winning Torrey Smith touchdown to win the game. My wife, went to sleep victorious until I woke her up upon the game's completion to rub it in her face how awesome the ending was...for me. Imagine being able to actually sleep in the bed that night kiddies! 9 out of the last 13 have been decided by three or four points.
Home field usually matters in this matchup but this late in their careers both quarterbacks are comfortable shutting up the Steeler/Raven faithful. Ben and Joe have both won on the opposing grid iron. Both have swept the other (Joe is the last to do it in 2011) and yes Steeler fan, I know you guys have that trifecta year where you beat us three times. We all know, prime time game, division on the line, its going to be a hard fought game. Whoever has the ball last is probably going to win the game.
This game could make or break the Ravens season. Winning would put us basically 2 games up on the Steelers and keeping pace with the Bengals who could stumble to this Steeler team (hell maybe the Browns next week as well). Losing could move us into Browntown. We don't belong there, that is reserved for classy organizations from Cleveland. Wait, I meant crappy.
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