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The Ravens have found themselves in many close games this season. However, none of those games can compare to what’s on the line tonight in Baltimore, as the Ravens take on a Steelers team playing without two of their best players in “Big Ben” and Troy Polamalu.

Ben Roethlisberger will be sidelined with a concussion he sustained against Kansas City last week. It appeared Roethlisberger might suit up for the big Sunday night game, when reports were released mid-week that stated he had passed a battery of tests that measured his cognition. 

On Friday, Roethlisberger complained of headaches during physical exertion, which gave the starting role to third-string quarterback Dennis Dixon, a second year man out of Oregon.

Even with the big injuries to Pittsburgh, the Ravens will have their hands full with a solid Steelers’ defense – a defense that will be without their biggest playmaker in Troy Polamalu.

One thing the Ravens understand is the fact they must win this game in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. A win tonight for the Ravens will put them in second place in the AFC North at 6-4; either one or two games in back of Cincinnati, depending on how they fare against the Browns today. A loss might all but end any hopes for the Ravens’ playoff chances.

With the entire Ravens’ season at stake, Baltimore needs to take a more explosive approach to this game.

The Ravens have returned to a more balanced attack on offense in the past four games. This has lead to Ray Rice becoming one of the best all-around backs in the NFL.  He’s been a threat both running the ball, and catching passes out of the backfield.

With that said, Baltimore needs to do more than check the ball down to Rice in order to win this contest.

Cam Cameron must reopen the playbook to Joe Flacco. In games where Flacco was limited by Cameron, he struggled mightily, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns (1 TD and 3 INT’s in the last four games).

If Flacco is cut loose from the recent conservative approach on offense, he should be able to take advantage of a Steelers defense that has struggled without their top playmaker in Polamalu. In fact, the entire outcome of the game will rest on how mistake-free Flacco can play.

With the Ravens looking to get back on track, this will be the game in which they can accomplish that. Baltimore and Pittsburgh always play each other close, but the Ravens have the edge in this one, due to the Steelers’ misfortunes.

If Baltimore can strike early and quick, this might be a game where the Ravens never look back at their opponent.

Predictions for tonight’s game

Ray Rice should be a big factor, as usual, in both the running and passing game.  Look for him to rack up over 100 all-purpose yards, and a touchdown.

Joe Flacco will end his mid-season slump tonight, as Baltimore will come out of the gates on fire at home, knowing what’s on the line. Flacco should finish with 250 yards, two touchdown passes, and no interceptions.

Final score:  Pittsburgh 10, Baltimore 27

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