Just two weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers took on their arch rivals the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field losing 13-10. That was their first game without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after spraining his shoulder and dislocating his rib against the Kansas City Chiefs. Similar to their last matchup, Roethlisberger will be on the sidelines and Charlie Batch will be under center. The Steelers are 0-6 against the Ravens without Roethlisberger.
After losing to the Cleveland Browns last Sunday which consisted of five lost fumbles and three interceptions for the Steelers, they will be going into Baltimore without a lot of confidence. There was a possibility that Roethlisberger could return this week, but after a week of practice the team will leave him out of this game. Batch will have another start this Sunday. Batch was 20 for 24 passing with 199 yards and three interceptions against the Browns and has lost four out of his five starts against the Ravens.
Batch’s favorite target against the Browns was Emmanuel Sanders who five passes for 75 yards. Sanders was bumped up to starter this week with Mike Wallace. He will also have another big target back this week with Antonio Brown returning from his ankle injury.
Jonathon Dwyer will get the start at running back this week with Isaac Redman being his backup. Rashard Mendenhall has been dropped to the third running back. Dwyer in the last matchup against the Ravens was the leading rusher in the game with 13 carries and 55 yards on the ground.
The offensive line could be in for a long afternoon with guard Willie Colon having to miss another game with a knee injury and rookie tackle Mike Adams out as well. With tackle Marcus Gilbert on the IR too, this means rookie Kelvin Beachum will get the start at tackle and will have to go up against pass rusher Paul Kruger, who recorded a sack in the team’s last matchup.
Another offensive line scramble will include moving All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey to left guard and backup center Doug Legursky to center.
The defense played its best game of the season against the Ravens two weeks ago. They held the Ravens to a total of 200 yards. Joe Flacco completed 20 of 32 passes with no touchdowns or interceptions. The biggest story of the defense was holding all-pro running back Ray Rice to 40 yards on 20 carries. A big factor for the Steelers this week is having safety Troy Polamalu back but was told he will not play every down. With that positive comes the negative as LaMarr Woodley will be out.
To keep the Steelers in this game the defense will have to keep doing what they have been doing the last few weeks only allowing 438 yards in their last two games. Holding the opposing offense to low yardage and not allowing touchdowns.
The Ravens are undefeated at home and the Steelers are 2-3 on the road. The obvious factor for the Steelers is holding onto the football they turned it over three times against the Ravens in their last matchup. Batch will have to be quick and smart on Sunday with a scrambled offensive line, and Ravens defense with guys like Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed. Dwyer will have to be at his best as well and take advantage of his starting nod from Coach Tomlin.
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