Key Matchups To Watch
Ben Roethlisberger vs. the Baltimore Pass Rush
If you think the Ravens aren't going to be gunning for Big Ben from the opening kickoff, you are either delusional or not a true football fan. It wouldn't surprise me if they figured out a way to hit him on the sidelines on the opening kickoff.
The Ravens are fully aware that Roethlisberger will be three weeks off of a concussion that saw him carted off the field on a stretcher. Although he showed no ill effects in yesterday's win over San Diego, head injuries can be tricky. All it could take is a glancing blow to the head and Big Ben is back in the locker room, drooling and thinking Jerome Bettis is still his running back.
Whatever Pittsburgh needs to do to fix this problem needs to be addressed immediately, or they could suffer yet another home loss in an AFC Championship game. Leftwich is a decent backup, but he won't be able to step in and carry the Steelers in Roethlisberger goes down.
Steelers Offensive Line vs. Ravens Defensive Line
It is no secret that the Steelers offensive line can be as porous as a sieve at times. When they are on, Roethlisberger has plenty of time to make plays with his arm or his legs. When they are off, as they have been frequently this season, Big Ben often times ends up on his back.
Again, I hate to belabor a point, but the front five for Pittsburgh need to bring their A+ game next week. No ifs, and, or buts about it.
Ray Lewis vs. Willie Parker
Willie Parker is crazy fast now that he appears to have recovered from an injury-plagued regular season. But he's a bit of a small running back by Steelers standards.
"Man of God" or not, when Ray Lewis straps on the pads, he is a large man with an unpleasant demeanor. He may not be as quick as he once was, but make no mistake: if he gets ahold of you, the run is over. That is Ray Lewis's job: stop the run and inflict pain.
Lots of pain.
If Parker can stay outside the tackle, he'll have a better than average chance of outrunning the pursuit. Take it inside, and Ray Lewis may steal his lunch money and hit him so hard that Willie's future children are born dizzy.
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