OT:steelers/Ravens

[Fk_Pitt]

I've become just a bit more than just a casual steeler fan over the past several years, so I need help with something. This strikes me as the healthiest the Steelers have been for this game in a long time.

I am listening to a Baltimore media personality on the radio and he is saying that there is a significant confidence with the Raven fan base regarding Sunday's game. Their reasoning is due to their recent success winning 6 of 7 against the Steelers. My immediate thought it that the Steelers have often been missing key players for those games (roethlisberger, Bell, etc). Injuries are one thing, but missing your franchise QB or arguably your best weapon on offense are significant.

Anyone have any thoughts on this off the top of their head or is my perception wrong? I don't feel like doing the homework but my very first thought is how many of those games was Roethlisberger healthy?

 

[Pitt1995]

Steelers have 0 defensive ends (Heyward and Tuitt both injured (and no second receiver (Wheaton and Bey hurt, Bryant suspension) and Ladarius Green may not play (another concussion).

I suppose they are healthier than they have been in the past, but they still have some key guys missing.

The LB and DB have been playing pretty well lately though, so I think the defense holds up. Must get the ball in the end zone though, and not settle for field goals. Green possibly being out is a big loss there.

 

[Pitt1995]

I'm not sure how many of those games Ben missed, I think two of them.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Steelers have 0 defensive ends (Heyward and Tuitt both injured (and no second receiver (Wheaton and Bey hurt, Bryant suspension) and Ladarius Green may not play (another concussion).

I suppose they are healthier than they have been in the past, but they still have some key guys missing.

The LB and DB have been playing pretty well lately though, so I think the defense holds up. Must get the ball in the end zone though, and not settle for field goals. Green possibly being out is a big loss there.

Yeah I realize the Green and Tuitt injuries hurt. No doubt on that. Both concern me. But no one is healthy this time of year and those injuries don't seem to measure up to my perception of the Steelers health for many of the recent games vs Baltimore. I could be wrong though.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

I'm not sure how many of those games Ben missed, I think two of them.

Was there also one that he played but shouldn't have?

 

[Pitt1995]

Was there also one that he played but shouldn't have?

Yeah I think it was the earlier game this year.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Yeah I think it was the earlier game this year.

Maybe I am thinking something like that San Fran game a few years back when he had no business being in the field.

 

[Delpanther]

Will #7 show up and "lead" the O or come in and play game manager trying to lean on the running game for 4 quarters? In late season, big games, the latter usually occurs and if that's the offensive approach in this game, the Steelers will struggle to score 20 points. Over to you, Ben.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Will #7 show up and "lead" the O or come in and play game manager trying to lean on the running game for 4 quarters? In late season, big games, the latter usually occurs and if that's the offensive approach in this game, the Steelers will struggle to score 20 points. Over to you, Ben.

You don't know how many times I wanted to say fathead with my OP. He's reason #1 that i am now a casual fan.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

You don't know how many times I wanted to say fathead with my OP. He's reason #1 that i am now a casual fan.

Dan Rooney #2.

 

[Delpanther]

You don't know how many times I wanted to say fathead with my OP. He's reason #1 that i am now a casual fan.

To me, tomorrow is the kind of litmus test game for Ben that people should take notice of...big game with big implications on the line. It's the kind of game in which a team looks to its "Super Bowl" QB to carry them, to be the real difference maker and not come out, play game manager and rely on Bell to win the game by himself by carrying the ball 40 times. Last 5 years, late in the season, #7 has been all too willing to fade into the woodwork and allow someone else to carry the day. That's not what great QBs do. Will be interesting...

 

[Fk_Pitt]

To me, tomorrow is the kind of litmus test game for Ben that people should take notice of...big game with big implications on the line. It's the kind of game in which a team looks to its "Super Bowl" QB to carry them, to be the real difference maker and not come out, play game manager and rely on Bell to win the game by himself by carrying the ball 40 times. Last 5 years, late in the season, #7 has been all too willing to fade into the woodwork and allow someone else to carry the day. That's not what great QBs do. Will be interesting...

That's all true. Probably no sammy Coates or Green though. Tough to spray the ball around when all you have is just a #1 receiver. Bell will get a crazy amount of touches.

 

[Delpanther]

That's all true. Probably no sammy Coates or Green though. Tough to spray the ball around when all you have is just a #1 receiver. Bell will get a crazy amount of touches.

To be fair, the WR injuries can't be ignored.

 

[crosbymalkin8771]

They need to finally beat this team. Let's not lament about the Steelers' injuries without mentioning Baltimore's, remember Ryan Mallett?

The biggest player to keep an eye on is Jimmy Smith, would be huge if he doesn't play for Baltimore.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

They need to finally beat this team. Let's not lament about the Steelers' injuries without mentioning Baltimore's, remember Ryan Mallett?

The biggest player to keep an eye on is Jimmy Smith, would be huge if he doesn't play for Baltimore.

So my perception is not right?

 

[Pitt1995]

To me, tomorrow is the kind of litmus test game for Ben that people should take notice of...big game with big implications on the line. It's the kind of game in which a team looks to its "Super Bowl" QB to carry them, to be the real difference maker and not come out, play game manager and rely on Bell to win the game by himself by carrying the ball 40 times. Last 5 years, late in the season, #7 has been all too willing to fade into the woodwork and allow someone else to carry the day. That's not what great QBs do. Will be interesting...

Last December, when they needed a run to make the playoffs, he went 142-203 (70%) for 1595 yards (7.9 per attempt, 319 yards per game) and 10 TD in 5 games. They went 4-1 and made the playoffs. They beat Super Bowl champion Denver when he passed for 380 yards and 3 TD.

By all means, try to further this claim that he is allowing someone else to carry the load. That's assinine.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

Looking forward to this game! Finally convinced my wife to go to a game in December....yee ha~ No call for rain in forecast!

 

[crosbymalkin8771]

So my perception is not right?

Not saying that, I get where you're coming from. But I think the Ravens typically do a good job against the Steelers' big weapons. There was that game back in '14 where Ben threw for 6 TD's... since then, lost the playoff game against them at home, swept last year (really should've won that game at Heinz - thanks Scobee and Vick) and now the loss this year.

I read how our D is a lot different than it was in the first game, theyve been playing better. I hope Green is good to go too since he takes some pressure off Brown/Bell.

There's reason to be optimistic for sure... I like to think the Steelers will get it done, something has to give right? But I'm sure it won't be easy.

 

[Delpanther]

Last December, when they needed a run to make the playoffs, he went 142-203 (70%) for 1595 yards (7.9 per attempt, 319 yards per game) and 10 TD in 5 games. They went 4-1 and made the playoffs. They beat Super Bowl champion Denver when he passed for 380 yards and 3 TD.

By all means, try to further this claim that he is allowing someone else to carry the load. That's assinine.

In their last 6 games against the Bengals and Ravens and in the playoffs in 2014 and 2015 here are the Steelers point totals: 17, 10, 20, 18, 16 and 17!! ...last week-6 FGs. Yea, move the ball between the 30's, build up some decent stats and come up small in the redzone....that's #7...recipe for failure in the playoffs which is why the Steelers haven't done squat in the post season for quite a while...Big game QB? Don't think so. Let's see what he does Sunday. I predict a steady diet of Bell, Ben plays game manager and the Steelers are fortunate to score 20 points.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Not saying that, I get where you're coming from. But I think the Ravens typically do a good job against the Steelers' big weapons. There was that game back in '14 where Ben threw for 6 TD's... since then, lost the playoff game against them at home, swept last year (really should've won that game at Heinz - thanks Scobee and Vick) and now the loss this year.

I read how our D is a lot different than it was in the first game, theyve been playing better. I hope Green is good to go too since he takes some pressure off Brown/Bell.

There's reason to be optimistic for sure... I like to think the Steelers will get it done, something has to give right? But I'm sure it won't be easy.

Ok. Just was curious. That's my purpose of the thread. Just wondering if injuries have more of a factor against the Steelers in the last 7 games. Wondering if the series would be more likely 3-4 or 4-3. I am just glad we have the big three healthy on offense for once.

 

[Pitt1995]

In their last 6 games against the Bengals and Ravens and in the playoffs in 2014 and 2015 here are the Steelers point totals: 17, 10, 20, 18, 16 and 17!! ...last week-6 FGs. Yea, move the ball between the 30's, build up some decent stats and come up small in the redzone....that's #7...recipe for failure in the playoffs which is why the Steelers haven't done squat in the post season for quite a while...Big game QB? Don't think so. Let's see what he does Sunday. I predict a steady diet of Bell, Ben plays game manager and the Steelers are fortunate to score 20 points.

They scored 24 last week vs Cincy, 24 earlier in the year vs Cincy, 33 late last year vs Cincy.

Do the games against KC, Dallas, the Giants, Redskins count? All playoff teams or contenders, 43, 30, 24, and 38 against those teams.

What a silly agenda to try to push. The guy is a hall of fame QB with 2 SB rings and another AFC title.

You want to know why they haven't done much in the playoffs?

2015 - Bell out, Brown out vs Denver
2014 - Bell out
2011 - Mendenhall out

Injuries to his biggest weapons every single year.

 

[Delpanther]

They scored 24 last week vs Cincy, 24 earlier in the year vs Cincy, 33 late last year vs Cincy.

Do the games against KC, Dallas, the Giants, Redskins count? All playoff teams or contenders, 43, 30, 24, and 38 against those teams.

What a silly agenda to try to push. The guy is a hall of fame QB with 2 SB rings and another AFC title.

You want to know why they haven't done much in the playoffs?

2015 - Bell out, Brown out vs Denver
2014 - Bell out
2011 - Mendenhall out

Injuries to his biggest weapons every single year.

Yea, the games against the Redskins and Giants count as much as the games against the Eagles and Dolphins, where # 7 was horrible as he was most of last week and every game on the road....keep making excuses. He stunk last week in Cinc-I was there. I also have to laugh that your proffered excuse for the Steelers stinking in the playoffs the last several years is because of injuries to a RB.. if #7 was as good as you suggest, that wouldn't/shouldn't make a bit of difference. Hell he's not even his team's offensive MVP.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

They scored 24 last week vs Cincy, 24 earlier in the year vs Cincy, 33 late last year vs Cincy.

Do the games against KC, Dallas, the Giants, Redskins count? All playoff teams or contenders, 43, 30, 24, and 38 against those teams.

What a silly agenda to try to push. The guy is a hall of fame QB with 2 SB rings and another AFC title.

You want to know why they haven't done much in the playoffs?

2015 - Bell out, Brown out vs Denver
2014 - Bell out
2011 - Mendenhall out

Injuries to his biggest weapons every single year.

Which is my perception of the series vs the Ravens. If it's not him injured, it's his weapons.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Yea, the games against the Redskins and Giants count as much as the games against the Eagles and Dolphins, where # 7 was horrible as he was most of last week and every game on the road....keep making excuses. He stunk last week in Cinc-I was there. I also have to laugh that your proffered excuse for the Steelers stinking in the playoffs the last several years is because of injuries to a RB.. if #7 was as good as you suggest, that wouldn't/shouldn't make a bit of difference. Hell he's not even his team's offensive MVP.

I am no fan of his...but I suspect that in 5 years we will all realize that we took him for granted.

 

[Delpanther]

I am no fan of his...but I suspect that in 5 years we will all realize that we took him for granted.

No, doubt he's he's a pretty good QB and not easily replaceable-what starting QB in the NFL is? I just don't believe he deserves to be lionized because the Steelers' success has been in large part due to his having been surrounded by a strong cast. I want to see him take the game on his own shoulders and win it ala Tom Brady...if he can do that multiple times in big games, then my view of him will change.

 

[crosbymalkin8771]

Ok. Just was curious. That's my purpose of the thread. Just wondering if injuries have more of a factor against the Steelers in the last 7 games. Wondering if the series would be more likely 3-4 or 4-3. I am just glad we have the big three healthy on offense for once.

Can't underestimate the Ravens too. Thing about them is they don't really have any big stars like the Steelers (though they have the best kicker in the NFL), but they do have a fair share of very solid players. And I tend to think Harbaugh usually outcoaches Tomlin... let's hope it's different this time.

I knew there was no way in hell Philly would convert that two point conversion last weekend, which would have made this game not mean nearly as much. Was just destined to come down to this.

 

[wbrpanther]

I've become just a bit more than just a casual steeler fan over the past several years, so I need help with something. This strikes me as the healthiest the Steelers have been for this game in a long time.

I am listening to a Baltimore media personality on the radio and he is saying that there is a significant confidence with the Raven fan base regarding Sunday's game. Their reasoning is due to their recent success winning 6 of 7 against the Steelers. My immediate thought it that the Steelers have often been missing key players for those games (roethlisberger, Bell, etc). Injuries are one thing, but missing your franchise QB or arguably your best weapon on offense are significant.

Anyone have any thoughts on this off the top of their head or is my perception wrong? I don't feel like doing the homework but my very first thought is how many of those games was Roethlisberger healthy?

Cam Heyward..out

Stephon Tuitt...out

Ladarious Green...out

Sammy Coates...out

Heyward Bey...out

Wheaton..out
Other than that the Steelers are healthy. The Ravens have one of the best run defenses in the league so the lack of receivers is going to really affect the Steeler offense because the Ravens can double and triple AB with Green and all those wideouts out.

But I still like the Steeler's chances even though the Ravens have had the upper hand recently. The Steeler's speed on defense is going to be a major factor.

 

[bayardstreet]

Big Ben hasn't played well lately. I believe he is due to make some plays and he usually does this at Heinz. I think the Steelers go up by 10 early and never lose the lead. They win by 7 and clinch.

 

[PhPanther1]

Last game, Wallace 95 yard TD pass. Other TD came from a blocked punt for a TD. I wouldn't say Baltimore did much in game 1 either. Their leading rusher had 21 yards. Take away the long run by wallace and Flacco has 146 yards.

Whoever makes the "splash" plays will win. This is going to be a close game where bith teams move up and down the field but settle for FG's. What WR makes the big play this game? What defense gets the big turnover to flip field position? That's who win.

 

[PhPanther1]

Brady is the best QB to EVER step foot on the field, of course he's better than Ben. The numbers between Ben and Rodgers are VERY similar.

 

[Pitt79]

You don't know how many times I wanted to say fathead with my OP. He's reason #1 that i am now a casual fan.

So if you don't like to watch FATHEAD, I guess you won't be able to watch at all when he's gone and they have a starting QB WAY WORSE than FATHEAD.

 

[Pitt79]

I want to see him take the game on his own shoulders and win it ala Tom Brady...if he can do that multiple times in big games, then my view of him will change.

You mean like he did in three road playoff games vs. the top three AFC seeds, when he lifted the team on his shoulders and carried them to the Super Bowl in 2005? WITH HIS ARM, even saving FAT BOY BETTIS, with a game saving tackle?

 

[Delpanther]

You mean like he did in three road playoff games vs. the top three AFC seeds, when he lifted the team on his shoulders and carried them to the Super Bowl in 2005? WITH HIS ARM, even saving FAT BOY BETTIS, with a game saving tackle?

The tackle...Fathead's only play in that Super Bowl..he was a stiff. That was eons ago in any event ...what has Fathead done more recently...check the Buffalo, Miami and and Philly tapes...HOF game manager, Fathead.

 

[Delpanther]

Hey, Phil, that's an old pic...the head currently is twice that size..? Special helmet required....

 

[Pitt1995]

The tackle...Fathead's only play in that Super Bowl..he was a stiff. That was eons ago in any event ...what has Fathead done more recently...check the Buffalo, Miami and and Philly tapes...HOF game manager, Fathead.

This game manager is -

11th all time in pass completions
10th all time in passing yards
10th all time in TD passes
9th all time in passer rating
11th all time in passing yards per game
6th all time in passing yards per attempt
11th all time in completion percentage
7th all time in game winning drives
10th all time in comebacks
2x Super Bowl winner
3x AFC Champion

I think it's amusing you keep omitting his performances against Washington, KC, Dallas, Indianapolis, Jets, etc. The guy is 6th in the league in TD passes despite missing a game.

 

[Pittx9]

If the steelers lose, harbaugh officially has surpassed Tomlin. Swept by an awful ravens team last year, lost once this year, the playoff loss a couple years ago, harbaugh has owned Tomlin post 2010. This is it for the steelers tomorrow. If Tomlin blows another season during the prime of a hall of fame qb's career, I'd personally fire him but that'll never happen. Regardless, this is the biggest regular season game they've played in years.

 

[Delpanther]

This game manager is -

11th all time in pass completions
10th all time in passing yards
10th all time in TD passes
9th all time in passer rating
11th all time in passing yards per game
6th all time in passing yards per attempt
11th all time in completion percentage
7th all time in game winning drives
10th all time in comebacks
2x Super Bowl winner
3x AFC Champion

I think it's amusing you keep omitting his performances against Washington, KC, Dallas, Indianapolis, Jets, etc. The guy is 6th in the league in TD passes despite missing a game.

Brady can play on the road, why can't Fathead? Let's see what he does tomorrow. I predict he hands the ball off to Bell 40 times and fades into the woodwork in a squeaker.

 

[Pitt1995]

Brady can play on the road, why can't Fathead? Let's see what he does tomorrow. I predict he hands the ball off to Bell 40 times and fades into the woodwork in a squeaker.

Great, Ben isn't one of the top two QB's to ever play the game. Being top 10 all time isn't something to sneeze at that though.

Brady, by the way, is 3-4 in his career on the road in the playoffs. Roethlisberger is 4-2 on the road in the playoffs.

 

[Pittx9]

Great, Ben isn't one of the top two QB's to ever play the game. Being top 10 all time isn't something to sneeze at that though.

Brady, by the way, is 3-4 in his career on the road in the playoffs. Roethlisberger is 4-2 on the road in the playoffs.

Also 2005... the year of super bowl xl where everyone only remembers Ben not playing well that game. In 3 road playoff games en route to the super bowl, Ben was undoubtedly their MVP with no one else even coming in at a close second.

 

[BFo8]

A Miami loss here would be nice