Intriguing Game– NFL, Week 17
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
Steelers: This was expected to be a different year. It’s the first season of “Life After Ben Roethlisberger”, there’s uncertainty at Quarterback and this was going to be considered a rebuilding year for them. After eight games this year, they were 2-6 and the thought of the postseason seemed very bleak at one point. That’s the thing about this game, you can go on an unexpected run and things will shake up in your conference. In their last seven games, they have a 5-2 record, and this includes a very emotional win on Christmas Eve against the Las Vegas Raiders as this was the first game the Steelers played after the death of Franco Harris, a beloved and respected legend. I remember at one point during the season that people on Twitter and social media in general were calling for Mike Tomlin to be fired. Of course, I questioned and asked why? The man has never recorded a losing season during his tenure in Pittsburgh number one and number two, let’s say the Steelers did fire him, who right now would be better to take this job? He’s just fine. He’s working with what he has and his players love him. I know players want to play for a coach when they leave everything on the field for him and that’s exactly what I see with them when it comes to Mike. I like what I’ve seen from Kenny Pickett. At first, he was pressing, which is why all the mistakes were occurring. The Steelers have reverted to running the ball and they’re getting quality play from Najee Harris. Don’t look now, but they are in the hunt for one of the three Wild Card spots in the AFC. On Sunday night, they’ll travel to Baltimore.
Ravens: I can admit I had them winning the AFC North and I still remember my reason why. Last season, they weren’t healthy at all. Key guys missed time and it caught up with them. This year, I said they had many important pieces coming back which would ultimately help them in taking back the division. Being healthy does make all the difference I always say. Yes, they’re still on pace to win the division and all, plus, they own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Cincinnati Bengals from earlier in the year when they beat them. I’m still trying to get a feel for who they really are. When the Ravens are locked in, they’re one of the toughest teams to beat. This year, something has felt off with them and I say that because they can’t hold onto a lead for anything. They’ve blown a total of four leads this year (Miami, Buffalo, the Giants and Jaguars). I look back at their game against the Cleveland Browns and I noticed one thing. When you’re physical with them early and often, it affects them, and they never seem to recover. In other words, play their style against them and they fold. I’d never see a blown lead with Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs. I don’t care to use this term at times, but I get soft vibes from these Ravens in particular moments. Despite that, they enter week 17 with a 10-5 record and have clinched a playoff spot. This Sunday night, they’ll be back home for a huge showdown.
Steelers X-Factor: Pat Freiermuth– He was the safety valve for Roethlisberger in the last few years of his career and he’s been that for Pickett and the Pittsburgh offense this year. Pat just has that motion in him to free himself and he’s wide open. It’s almost as if defenses don’t even account for him. He’s too quick and big for any corner and when he has a one-on-one look, especially in the redzone, he’s getting the football. He will forever work the middle of the field consistently.
Ravens X-Factor: Roquan Smith– He was bought here to Baltimore to make an impact and he’s done just that since the Ravens traded for him. I’ve kept up with him since his college days at Georgia and when he was a member of the Chicago Bears. Roquan was meant to play Linebacker. Just look at how quickly he swarms to the football. Wherever that ball is, there’s Roquan. He and Patrick Queen have complemented each other quite well.
Final Thoughts: I’m all in anytime these two are set to battle. The battles these two have had are always memorable and close. When they met back in week 14 on December 11th, the Ravens won that game by two points. I have a feeling we’ll see a similar contest again this Sunday night. The Pittsburgh Offensive Line has been a strong liability throughout the year and Pickett could be running out of time before he can make his reads and progressions. The Steelers must take care of the ball and find success with Najee Harris. On the Ravens side, four guys can create pressure (Oweh, Campbell, Roquan and Queen) which makes life more comfortable in the secondary for Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey. I see the Steelers bottling up the run and daring Tyler Huntley to beat them with his arm. This should be a hard-hitting contest.
Prediction: Steelers 19, Ravens 17
