The Purple Browns – umm, I mean Ravens
So, I didn’t write a wrap up of the Dallas game. Maybe because I was disgusted with the pitiful show of offense but then I felt bad because there was still a win, though only thanks to Dick LeBeau and that amazing defense. The question is, can we win the rest of our games and post-season play leaning on the defense. The answer, why not, the Ravens did it in 2000.
Pittsburgh is 16-5 in games played in December since 2004.
But unfortunately, I am not sure that the record is going to improve any this week. How can I say that? (I know all my Ravens friends are smiling big right now and ready to talk smack to me) I am a true Steelers fan. But I am also a realist. The Ravens defense is as good as the Steelers. Ed Reed and Ray Lewis are going to put a hurting on our offense. Ben is going to be on his back. No doubt. This game is going to be low-scoring and is going to be won by the team who doesnt turn it over as much as the other. It’s a toss up. But I am not feeling good. The only thing I want out of it is for everyone we have to remain healthy. We can still win the division even with a loss in Baltimore – and wins for the last two games. I would prefer health over a win, quite frankly.
I hope that Ben does a whole lot more no huddle and “Heath Miller” specials – and please, get Hines the ball. What did he have last week, 1 catch for 2 yards? Either they had him so covered or, well, I don’t know what…this week, the offense has to show up in a big way and not turn the ball over. At all.
Defense needs to keep on doing what it’s been doing. Winning games for us. It’s a steep order but I think Troy and the boys can handle it.
This week’s prediction.
This tough. I’ll go out on a limb, even though I am not so sure about it.
Pittsburgh 9 – Ravens 6
Field goals all the way. Ugh.
[polldaddy poll=1185866]
I’ll be watching the game trying to keep my blood pressure down this week.
Oh, and James Walker posted a Steelers/Raves fan survey. Check it out.
steelergurl:
December 10th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I wanted to add this from James Walkers blog:
One of the biggest factors in a rivalry is competitiveness, and that is what’s lacking with Cleveland against Pittsburgh. The Steelers have dominated that series since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999.
The Ravens have been in existence since 1996, and Pittsburgh leads the regular-season series 15-10. The Steelers got off to a fast start, winning six of the first seven meetings, as the Ravens were building. But since 2000, Pittsburgh holds just a 9-8 advantage. The Steelers beat the Ravens in their only playoff meeting in January 2002.
Familiarity often breeds contempt, and both are definitely in play with these two teams.
“They play football the way we play football. It’s a heated rivalry,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “I think it’s born out of mutual respect; at least I can say from our standpoint we respect those guys. They’re a physically tough, mentally tough football team. Those are things that we honor and desire to be, and in order to do that, you got to line up and play with guys like these.”
Both teams have experienced success, and it usually required running through each other and winning the division.
The Ravens and Steelers have both won Super Bowls in this decade. Baltimore earned the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XXXV and Pittsburgh won its most recent championship in Super Bowl XL. They have also combined for 13 winning seasons so far this decade.
To read Walker’s full post visit: http://tinyurl.com/59kryh