Thursday Night Football Week 2: TV Schedule, Live Stream for Steelers vs. Ravens

One of the NFL's great rivalries gets renewed on Thursday night when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC North clash. This series has been defined by intensity and aggression, which should make for an interesting dynamic coming on a short week. 

Of course, the Steelers and Ravens aren't strangers to playing on Thursday night. These two teams met on Thanksgiving night last November in the controversial game that featured Mike Tomlin stepping over the sidelines during a Jacoby Jones kickoff return. 

While there shouldn't be any mishaps like that this time around, the Steelers will be out for vengeance after losing at M&T Bank Stadium to put their playoff aspirations on the ropes. We've got all the information you need to prepare for the matchup. 

Where: M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland

When: Thursday, Sept. 11

Start Time: 8:25 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS and NFL Network

Live Stream: NFL.com

Spread: Ravens (-2.5); Over/Under: 44.5

Odds via OddsShark.com

Biggest Question For Steelers

Is The Run Defense Good Enough?

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

For as long as fans can remember, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been synonymous with defense. They had a unit in the 1970s known as the Steel Curtain because you couldn't get past them. 

Over the last two years, things have changed. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is one of the best in the business, but there's only so much that you can do when the talent isn't there. Last week, the most alarming thing about Cleveland's second-half comeback was how easily it moved the ball. 

In particular, the Browns rushing attack was destroying Pittsburgh. They had 121 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. Terrance West ran for 100 yards on just 16 carries; Isaiah Crowell had two touchdowns and 32 yards on five carries. 

Tomlin didn't sound overly concerned about the run defense moving forward, telling Bob Labriola of Steelers.com that it had nothing to do with the talent on the field:

"

A lot of it is schematic. A lot of it is communication, and a lot of it is just technique. When you have the type of day they had, particularly in the second half, it’s never just one thing. It’s usually some things. Most of the time that one thing might produce shortcomings in other areas that produce a multitude of things.

"

While no coach is going to sell out his players, it's no secret the Steelers are losing their touch in the trenches. They finished 21st against the run last season. It was the first time they've finished outside the top 10 in that category since 2003. 

Things didn't look better in Week 1 against Cleveland. It's going to be a process, as the team noted on Twitter they were doing something that they haven't done in the LeBeau era:

The good news is Baltimore's offense struggled last week, though it was more on the passing side than running the ball. Justin Forsett ran well in limited touches, racking up 70 yards on 11 carries. They only had 20 carries as a team, compared to 62 passes, so expect that ratio to change on Thursday, if for no other reason than to take pressure of Joe Flacco. 

The Steelers looked strong in every other area last week, generating 490 yards of total offense and allowing just 206 net passing yards. It was their one flaw on defense that made a blowout more interesting than it should have been. 

LeBeau has built a career on creating defensive schemes and coverages that confuse opposing offenses, so he needs to be at the top of his game on a short week to avoid another lackluster effort from his group. 

Biggest Question For Ravens

Are The Receivers Going To Catch Anything?

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Last week, despite having 118 yards and one touchdown, Steve Smith's debut with the Ravens wasn't a game he will put on the highlight reel. He should have had a lot more coming out of the game, but Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports noted as the game was going on that the wideout had at least four drops:

Smith wasn't the only Baltimore receiver plagued by a case of the dropsies. According Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun, the team unofficially dropped seven passes from Flacco against Cincinnati. 

Not only does that stall drives before they get going, but it makes the quarterback look worse than he is. Head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak put a lot on Flacco's arm with 62 throws. He completed 35 of them for 345 yards in the 23-16 loss. 

While the Ravens do need to make a conscientiousness effort to run the ball against Pittsburgh's defense, the easiest way to score points is still through the air. Flacco has never been the most accurate quarterback with a career completion percentage just over 60, so if he's not getting help from his receivers, the offense isn't going to work. 

There is big-play potential with Baltimore's receivers. Smith had an 80-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati to tie the game; Torrey Smith only had three catches but averaged 16.7 yards per reception and averages 17.2 yards per catch in his career. 

Flacco has the arm strength to throw the ball down the field. Catching the ball is the first thing you learn as a child. Having as many drops as the Ravens did in Week 1 is inexcusable, especially considering how close that game ended up being. 

Prediction

While the Ravens get the edge by virtue of playing at home on a short week, these games are always decided by three points or less. The Steelers can't get burned by the run again, but have shown no evidence of improvement from last season. Expect a healthy dose of Forsett and Bernard Pierce.

Ravens 24, Steelers 21

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