Sep 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) pressured by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Daryl Smith (51) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the hated Baltimore Ravens in a prime time battle that will be filled with lots of emotions.
The end of Ratbird Week is coming to a head, and it all begins prior to the first snap when the Steelers will officially retire Mean Joe Greene’s number at Heinz Field. The Steelers aren’t known for retiring numbers, and it’s been a long time coming for this to happen. The NFL Hall of Fame’er is where it all started for a franchise that would rack up four Super Bowls in six years – a dynasty like no other. The story and legend of Greene is a great one. If you have have a chance to read Their Life’s Work by Gary Pomerantz, I highly suggest it.
Back to the game. The Steelers will be looking to continue their winning streak to three games and begin taking command of an AFC North that has evened out this season with all four team being at or above .500 at the halfway point of the season. A win for the Steelers would split the series between the Ravens, and put them up against a wall. Momentum is surely in the Black & Gold’s favor. Riding high off of an amazing and record breaking performance by Ben Roethlisberger and the offense, the hope from Steeler Nation is that they will continue that “down field” mentality and and pull back in to their shell just because it’s the Ravens. Don’t be surprised if this game opens up. Between Big Ben hitting Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant down field for big plays and Joe Flacco airing it out in hopes of gettin a defensive pass interference call in Torrey Smith’s favor, this game could easily be a 28+ point game for both teams.
The game is featured on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, and you know that Al and Cris will have plenty to talk about between everything that happened for the Steelers last week and the rivalry between these two teams. I’m looking forward to a great game. The atmosphere will be electric at Heinz Field. Maybe Steeler Nation will feel some of that through the TV.