The blood will flow when the Steelers and Ravens tee it up tomorrow. These teams resemble each other because of their tough defenses, great linebackers, playmaking safeties and good running games.
Future Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu has been the difference-maker in this match up of late. He will play in the football game, but he’s no where near 100%. It’s an accepted fact that the Steelers defense isn’t the same without a healthy Polamalu. He won’t be able to make a difference tomorrow.
Ed Reed the other future Hall of Fame safety in this game hasn’t been able to make the game-changing play for the Ravens in recent battles, but that might mean he is due. You know how good middle linebacker Ray Lewis is, but I think Terrell Suggs will dominate for the Ravens.
I think Suggs will take advantage of the Steelers weak offensive line and he’ll get to Ben Roethlisberger and strip the ball. Roethlisberger is hard to tackle, but you don’t have to tackle him if you get the football out of there.
The Ravens get their big plays in the passing game with double-move routes, while the Steelers get their big plays in the passing game by letting Roethlisberger hold on to the football and escape the pass rush.
The Baltimore offense has a bevy of playmakers for quarterback Joe Flacco to get the ball to. He went to tight end Todd Heap last week for over 100 yards. They have quality wide receivers in Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. He can beat you with any of them.
