Black and Gold Report: MNF Preview

The Steelers and Division Rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, will face off on National Television this Monday Night. The Steelers are highly favored, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't prepare for these guys. The Ravens, and Steelers are fierce rivals, and both teams bring their 'A' games when playing eachother. Here is my preview for Monday's game.

Pittsburgh Offense v.s. Baltimore Defense

Parker is 2nd in the NFL in rushing, and the Ravens defense is 2nd overall in rush defense (2nd in overall Defense as well), so I wouldn't expect Parker to be running for no 150+ yards, but I do like his chances against this beat up Ravens D. Ben Roethlisberger will come out and pass early on, against the Ravens 10th overall pass defense, and if/when the Steelers get a comfortable lead, they will pound their tired defense with Parker. Baltimore knows the dangers of leading Hines Ward open, so I don't expect him to have a big game, he will maybe catch 4-5 balls on 3rd down, but that's it. Roethlisberger's primary targets will be his TE's, Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth. The Ravens will have to look out for the deep ball to Santonio Holmes as well. The Baltimore defense my be getting older, but they have still got some talent, and they have quietly crept up to the 2nd overall defense (behind only Pittsburgh). So, I will have to give the edge in this matchup to the Ravens' defense.

Baltimore Offense v.s. Pittsburgh Defense

Like I said earlier, Pittsburgh has the best defense in the NFL, and that is what has helped them to their 5-2 record, and first place in the AFC North. But, Pittsburgh can't give the Baltimore offense second chances, which means NO penalties, and they can't give up the third and 10, third and 15 plays that they have been giving up all season. Another thing they can't do is give up the early lead, because Baltimore's RB, Willis McGahee, is a great runner (3rd in NFL in rushing yards), and if they give up an early lead, they will get a heavy dose of him. Pittsburgh has a huge advantage in the passing game with Steve McNair beat up and aging, as well as the lack of Baltimore WR's. The Steelers will blitz McNair all day long, and if Pittsburgh gets Baltimore to a point where they have to pass, then Baltimore is screwed.

Special Teams

Baltimore has the best special teams out of the two teams, with one of the best kickers in NFL history, Matt Stover, who rarely misses. As well as a KR/PR who has a chance of scoring a TD on every punt return. Pittsburgh's kicker, Jeff Reed, isn't the most reliable kicker, but if Pittsburgh scores TD's then it won't matter who their kicker is. But, they do have one of the fastest guys in the NFL returning kicks, Allen Rossum, and though he hasn't scored on one yet, he is likely to soon.

I think this will be a very good game, and this is one of the best games on Week 9, but it is getting highly overlooked because of the NE/Indy game on Sunday. The Steelers, and Ravens teams are almost exactly alike, built around their defense, with a great running game, and shaky QB's. Winner: Baltimore 14, Pittsburgh 17

Pittsburgh v.s. Baltimore