Steelers vs. Ravens: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

Arguably the NFL's greatest rivalry takes center stage on Thursday Night Football when the Pittsburgh Steelers hit the road to take on the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC North affair to kick off Week 2.

For both teams, the divisional bout comes just days after other AFC North contests that saw drastically different results.

At home, Pittsburgh was able to overcome a stingy Cleveland Browns squad—much to the surprise of no one, as Ben Roethlisberger is 18-1 all-time against the team from northern Ohio.

Baltimore, also at home, came out flat for the opening half of the season, and it cost them dearly against the Cincinnati Bengals.

As always between these two teams, the action Thursday will be gritty and physical, and it will certainly come down to the wire. The following is all fans need to know about the showdown.

When: Thursday, September 11, 8:25 p.m. ET

Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Watch: CBS, NFL Network

Betting Info: (via Odds Shark)

Over/Under: 44

Spread: Baltimore (-2.5)

Team Injury Reports

Injury info will be updated once released, via ESPN.com.

The Push for Consistency and Balance

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To be blunt, Baltimore was downright pathetic in the first half of its Week 1 contest. Quarterback Joe Flacco was mediocre, the game plan completely ignored the ground game, and, worst of all, receivers dropped passes left and right.

In fact, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the team finished the day with eight dropped passes.

Running back Bernard Pierce was the biggest offender of all, though. An opportunity as the starter went awry early after a fumble in the second quarter. As NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano details, the gaffe saw him take a seat for the rest of the contest:

Baltimore did turn things around in the second half. Receivers caught the ball, using the ground game worked, and the defense got a few stops.

But if Baltimore wants to let Flacco pass 62 times and rush just 20 times against a sound Steelers defense, the home crowd will be booing and leaving for the exit early twice in the span of one week.

Pittsburgh had similar issues, at least from a consistency standpoint. Up 27-3 at the half, the Steelers defense allowed the Browns to storm back and tie things up early in the fourth quarter while surrendering two rushing touchdowns to undrafted rookie Isaiah Crowell.

After, coach Mike Tomlin explained that the Cleveland no-huddle look gave his defense fits, per Steelers.com:

"

It did and we gave ourselves some problems. I have to compliment them for their execution. They did a great job but I also would like to complement our guys for doing what was necessary amidst a lot of negativity there in the second half.

They found rhythm with the running game, but it was the chunks and the misdirection game that was creating real issues for us.

"

Obviously, the Baltimore attack will key on those issues during the short week of preparation the team has before Pittsburgh comes to town. As always seems to be the case, whichever team can strike the better overall balance will win a close one. 

Production From Unexpected Places

USA TODAY Sports

Of course, a new season means new and old faces to shock an old-school rivalry. 

On Baltimore's side, keep an eye on running back Justin Forsett, especially if Pierce is still in the dog house. The seven-year pro rushed 11 times for 70 yards and a score against Cincinnati, although it should be noted that most of his production came after elite Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict left with an injury.

Two nice surprises through the air for Baltimore were tight end Dennis Pitta and wideout Steve Smith, and they will undoubtedly have a major impact Thursday. The former was quiet last year in brief showings due to injury, but he erupted Sunday with 10 catches for 83 yards. The latter made his debut in a major way before finishing with seven catches for 118 yards and a score.

Tomlin understands the pitfalls of going against Smith for the first time in this rivalry, as captured by NFL.com's Aditi Kinkhabwala:

Tomlin has a weapon up his sleeve, though. Gone are the days of Mike Wallace or Emmanuel Sanders hurting Baltimore deep. Antonio Brown is still around (and caught five passes for 116 yards and a score last week), but Roethlisberger's offense will fall flat without a sound No. 2.

That's where Markus Wheaton comes into play. Finally given an opportunity to start, the 2013 third-round pick torched the Cleveland secondary, which includes Joe Haden, to the tune of six receptions for 97 yards on seven targets, tied for the team high.

So while the usual suspects such as Flacco and Roethlisberger will take center stage, get to know some of the smaller names before Thursday. With both teams in transition, one of the lesser-known faces might take over.

Prediction

Don Wright/Associated Press

As things currently stand, the Ravens are a mess, at home or not.

A hodgepodge of names out of the backfield and a strange unwillingness to do anything but pass the ball is a recipe for disaster, as the offensive line does not look much better than last year's miserable unit.

Pittsburgh has two great wideouts to hit through the air and an every-down back who only continues to improve in Le'Veon Bell. Even worse for the home team, the status of No. 1 corner Lardarius Webb is very much in doubt.

A major game from Roethlisberger seems to be in the cards against a hobbled team still ironing out balance issues and overall production levels.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Ravens 20

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).