Steelers at Ravens
THE STORY: The Baltimore Ravens hope a few key offseason moves are enough to finally get them past their bitter AFC North rivals. They won't have to wait long to find out. The new-look Ravens host the defending AFC champion Steelers on Sunday in the latest chapter of perhaps the NFL’s fiercest rivalry. Pittsburgh has eliminated Baltimore from the playoffs twice in the last three seasons, including a 31-24 win in the divisional round last January. Ben Roethlisberger has been the biggest difference-maker in recent matchups. The Steelers 9-2 against Baltimore with “Big Ben” – including a seven-game winning streak – and 0-4 vs. the Ravens without him.
TV: 1 pm. ET, CBS. LINE: Ravens -1, O/U 36
ABOUT THE RAVENS (12-4, 2nd AFC North): General manager Ozzie Newsome worked hard this offseason to help the Ravens get over the hump. Baltimore acquired deep threat Lee Evans to help Joe Flacco and a passing offense that finished 20th in the league last season (208.4 ypg). The running game was bolstered by the addition of All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach, who will pave the way for Ray Rice (1,220 yards, 5 TDs). The defense, led by the ageless Ray Lewis, finished third in the league in scoring (16.9 ppg) in 2010. First-round pick Jimmy Smith should help shore up the one weak spot – a leaky secondary (21st, 224.3 ypg)
ABOUT THE STEELERS (12-4, 1st AFC North): The Steelers overcame Roethlisberger’s four-game suspension last season by playing their usual suffocating defense. Led by reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Troy Polamalu and outspoken linebacker James Harrison, Pittsburgh allowed a league-low 14.5 points per game. Rashard Mendenhall is coming off a career-best 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns. The newly married Roethlisberger could be in store for a huge season. Mike Wallace, his top target, broke out last season and up-and-coming second-year wideout Antonio Brown seems poised to do the same in 2011.
EXTRA POINTS:
1) The Ravens are the only team to win a playoff game in each of the last three seasons.
2) Pittsburgh is 10-2 when Wallace has a touchdown reception.
3) The Steelers allowed just 62.8 rushing yards per game last season – nearly 28 fewer than the next best team (Chicago, 90.1).