Heading into Saturday night’s playoff contest, it would be easy to look at a number of factors that will determine the outcome in the latest edition of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Baltimore Ravens playoff grudge match.
Much of the talk has understandably revolved around the availability of Le’Veon Bell, who is nursing a knee injury that is likely to keep him from playing Saturday night. After all, we are talking about an All-Pro running back and Steelers’ MVP, and it’s fair to assume that Josh Harris, Dri Archer, along with the recently signed Ben Tate are not striking fear in the Ravens’ defense.
You could also look at special teams. After all, is there a more dangerous return specialist in the NFL than Jacoby Jones? Couple that with punter Brad Wing’s less than stellar work and kicker Shaun Suisham’s inability to consistently drive kicks into the end zone for touchbacks and this could swing the game into the Ravens favor.
However, if you want to consider a factor that might be the biggest key to who will advance to next weekend’s divisional round, look no further than which pass rush has a more productive night.
Two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks; Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco, will be leaned on heavily to carry their teams to victory. And the one who has time to make throws will have a leg up on continuing their long road towards another title.
From a statistical standpoint, it seems that the Ravens have a significant edge when it comes to pressuring the quarterback. After all it’s not hard to see why the Ravens 49 sacks are second in the league with players like Elvis Dumervil, Terrell Suggs, Pernell McPhee, and the recently reinstated Haloti Ngata, among those who occupy a front seven that is among the best in football.
The combination of Dumervil and Suggs make for one of the most dangerous edge rushing combos in the game, and the numbers support that in a big way. Both rank in the top 10 in the NFL in total sacks, with Dumervil’s 17 trailing only the Kansas City Chiefs Justin Houston for the league lead.
Suggs, who has a well-documented history of wreaking havoc against the Steelers, is ninth in the league with 12 sacks, while McPhee has quietly added an additional 7.5 sacks for Baltimore.
The addition of Ngata, who completed a four game suspension for violation of the league’s performance enhancing drug policy, makes the Ravens even more dangerous. The five-time Pro-Bowler makes pass protection all the more difficult, as he consistently commands multiple blockers, making life much easier for elite pass rushers Dumervil and Suggs.
Clearly the Steelers offensive line will have a significant challenge trying to contain the Ravens pass rush, especially if Bell is unable to play. Though the Ravens did a tremendous job of limiting Bell in a Week 9 loss to the Steelers, Bell’s presence alone makes it much more difficult for Baltimore to key on the Steelers’ passing game.
For the Steelers, the inability of the defense to create consistent pressure on the quarterback has been an issue for much of the season. In fact, their 33 sacks this season ranks them 26th in the league, and it has contributed mightily to some of the issues the Steelers have had defending the pass.
With Flacco’s uncanny ability to throw the deep ball to receivers like Steve Smith and the always dangerous Torrey Smith, the Steelers pass rush will have to pressure Flacco. Otherwise, it could be a long day for the Steelers secondary.
In a winner take all scenario, pass rushers like James Harrison and Jason Worilds will need to be disruptive forces on Saturday. Flacco struggles when he is pressured, but the Ravens have been outstanding protecting Flacco, having given up the second fewest total sacks in the NFL with 19 the entire season.
Though many factors will key a Steelers’ victory, winning the battle of the pass rush on both sides of the ball might be the biggest of the all.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
