WHO WILL WIN THE AFC NORTH???

[RPM]

Assuming that cinci rolls over cleveland this weekend, do you think the ravens can close it out against the steelers at home on sunday night football?

the ravens havent beaten the steelers in baltimore since like 96. but this is probably the weakest steeler team in the time.

steelers rolled over the ravens in the first game of the year, but that was with kyle boller making his first nfl start.

opinions????

 

[LENBO]

With the division championship on the line(assuming a Bengals win) in front of a national TV audience and revenge I'd say the Ravens have a great shot to win. Can you picture Ray Lewis waiting around all day for this game to start? Talk about being fired up by game time.

 

[RPM]

lol, yeah he will be a maniac!~

 

[GLJJNOVA]

As Mike Irvin will say "NOT IN RAY-RAY'S HOUSE." I think the Bengals have no problem vs the Browns. The Ravens have been playing well at home, so now with revenge and motivation they will grind out a win. J Lew & Ray Lew will have big games. Steelers may have shot at backdoor cover.

GP

 

[BlackampGold]

Plexico OWNS Chris McAllister and the Steelers seem to match up great with Ravens. That said, Steelers have been finding ways to lose all year. Bettis does nothing vs. Baltimore. Zeroue is the better back vs. Baltimore but Bettis will be in there to pass Jim Brown. I would expect the Steelers to use Amos in this game more than usual however. A little surprised the line is 7-7 1/2. Great rivalry among the teams and also the coaches in this one. As a dissapointed Steelers' fan, I would love NOTHING more than Cincy winning and the Steelers knocking of the Ravens. That said, that line is telling me B-more may be the right side in this game. Just a little perspective from the "Black & Gold". Should be an awesome game to watch as long as Cincy doesn't choke.

 

[RPM]

black and gold,

interesting point about the burress and mcalister match up. chris has really stepped up this season to show he is one of the top corners in the league. it will be interesting to see if he can keep it going against buress.

 

[Slade]

RPM & Black and Gold-

Cmac will be in man coverage on Ward on Sunday night not Plex. I'm too close to this game, and do not have any thoughts on it other than what has been talked about here already. That being said, Pitts always presents a prob for the Ravens in Baltimore, and it has a lot to do with the 10K+ Steeler fans that come to the house and take over. The crowd has been awesome this year, and I'm hopeful that some of the Pitts backers that bought tickets early in the year, scalped them back to Ravens fans after they were eliminated- ohh the irony that would be. The Ravens fans will be pumped with the Art Model induction to the Ring of Honor, Jamal's quest for 2K and the all-time record, and the Steeler-Ravens rivalry all wrapped up in 1 game.

I expect the defense to be loose, but the O may be tight. Wright can bury the Ravens early with an ill-timed pass or underthrown jump ball. Jamal will have his game on, and play action to Heap or Jones should work all day.

There are 2 forces here that are working on 1 number-154. I suspect Pitts will bite on anything that smells like a run to keep JL under the number, and Ogden & Mulitado will do everything to plow holes open and get the record. Cavanaugh play calling will make the difference in this one.

When I first saw the line I was shocked. I figured Balti by 3 maybe 4 tops. I will not bet against the Ravens in this game for karma purposes, but I may lay a couple hundred on the over.

One thing is for sure- with an extra 4 hours of drinking going on they better have extra security in the house. Ravens and Steeler fans do not get along, and if Pitts happens to get off to an early lead or win it will get very ugly. That is a guarantee.

I fully expect Cincy to do their part, making this game the most important home game in Ravens history-and yes I'm including the SUperbowl year and the great Denver playoff win.

Best of luck-
Slade

 

[ravenfan]

i could not say it any better. great write up slade as usually.

 

[RPM]

slade,

you are right about cmac being on ward. the plus side to that, is baxter has had some success covering buress in the past.
either way i think you are right about it getting ugly in the stands!~

 

[Farmstore]

what concerns me with this game is that Boulware and Adalius thomas are out for the Ravens. The are 2 of the best pass rushers in football and i'm afraid if maddox is given time,he may pick apart the ravens secondary.

 

[RPM]

FARMSTORE,

are you sure boulware is out??? i heard he was going to play.

 

[mickj]

Game time decision is last i heard.

 

[Farmstore]

ESPN reported this morning that it was unlikely that he would play.