Steelers at Ravens: Breakdown, Matchups, and Predictions

The Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Baltimore for their second AFC North division game of the season. Against the 3-4 Ravens, the Steelers have a chance to strengthen their hold as leader of the division.

Breakdown:

After two disappointing losses to AFC East opponents, the Steelers are desperately looking for answers in the win column. Last week’s bye came at the perfect time, as key members of the Steelers’ roster needed time to recuperate from injury. Cameron Heyward will return after missing multiple games due to a hamstring injury, while Ben Roethlisberger is questionable due to knee surgery.

Heyward’s return will add a much-needed boost to the Steelers’ pass rush. The defense has struggled to get to the quarterback all season. Only eight sacks have been registered by the defense all year. They will need the complete might of their defensive unit to apply pressure to Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco.

On offense, it looks as though Roethlisberger’s status for Sunday afternoon will be based on how bad the swelling is on his knee. There is no question that the offense is on another level of competition with Big Ben under center, but are the Steelers taking too big of a risk by putting him on the field so soon?

Last year’s game between these two division rivals came down to the final minutes of the contest, as Roethlisberger’s attempt to drive the Steelers down the field to put Chris Boswell in field goal range ended in a turnover on downs. The lead in the AFC North is up for grabs, and there is no doubt that this contest will also come down to the final moments of regulation.

Matchups:

Artie Burns vs. Mike Wallace

Before his stints with the Dolphins, Vikings, and Ravens, Mike Wallace was one of the best weapons in Roethlisberger’s arsenal in the early 2010’s. After turning down an offer made to him by the Steelers, Wallace jumped ship to Miami for a $60 million contract….and it has been down hill from there. Wallace’s loss was the Steelers gain, as the contract he turned down was issued to Antonio Brown. The rest, as they say, is history.

In Wallace first game against the Steelers in his career, he will most likely be matchup up with first-round cornerback, Artie Burns. Burns will make his first career start against the Ravens on Sunday. William Gay will most likely be moved to his original spot as slot cornerback. Just like the Steelers did with Bud Dupree, after week eight is about the time they give their first-round picks starting opportunities.

Burns is normally assigned to opposing team’s speed receivers, and Wallace is no exception. He may be in his thirties, but Wallace still has the ability to stretch the field. His matchup against a veteran receiver will give Burns the opportunity to demonstrate that he has earned his starting role, and that he intends to keep it.

Stephon Tuitt vs. Marshal Yanda 

After recording 6.5 sacks in 2015, Stephon Tuitt has yet to do so in his third year in a Steelers’ uniform. Many thought that the absence of Heyward would give Tuitt an opportunity as second most tenured member of the defensive line, but he was unable to do so. This week he is up against one of the best guards on any offensive line in the NFL: Marshal Yanda.

Yanda has been ailed by a shoulder injury this season, but, in the five games he has appeared in, has only given up one sack to opposing offenses. The Ravens also had a bye in week eight, giving Yanda time to recover. If the offensive guard is at full strength, he will put Tuitt to the test if he wishes to get to the quarterback.

The Steelers need a strong game from their defense, and Tuitt has tremendous playmaking ability. He can set the tone for the second half of the season by demonstrating that the Steelers’ defense isn’t a liability to their team, and that they are better than how they performed during the first half of the season.

Next: Steelers' Sammie Coates looks to repeat early season success

Predictions:

Ben Roethlisberger passes for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, despite playing on a bad knee. 

Artie Burns makes his first interception, and first for the secondary, off a Joe Flacco pass intended for Mike Wallace in the second quarter. 

Le’Veon Bell scores his first touchdown of the season, but rushes for less than one hundred yards

The Steelers bounce back for two straight losses and win against the Ravens for the first time in two years, 33-28.