Ravens vs. Steelers: Full Pittsburgh Game Preview

Much like last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a short week to prepare for their first showdown with AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens.

This time, though, they'll have to take on the Ravens on Thursday night without the services of Ben Roethlisberger, who sprained his MCL and suffered a bone bruise in his left knee following a low tackle attempt by St. Louis Rams safety, Mark Barron, in Pittsburgh's 12-6 win, Sunday. 

Roethlisberger will be out 4-6 weeks due to the injury.

It's rarely easy when the Steelers take on the Ravens, especially at Heinz Field. Thursday's meeting won't be any different. 

Taking over for the injured Roethlisberger is 15-year veteran Michael Vick, who signed with the Steelers midway through training camp due to a season-ending injury suffered by then-backup quarterback, Bruce Gradkowski.

Now, Vick will get his chance to lead the high-powered Steelers offense, albeit in a reduced role. 

He's no Roethlisberger, but Vick will have the services of Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Heath Miller and DeAngelo Williams available to him against the Ravens. 

Both sides are banged-up coming into the Week 4 matchup. If this game plays out like the vast majority of Ravens-Steelers meetings, there will be many more bumps, bruises, scrapes and generally sore players in this knock-down-drag-out brawl. 

Location:  Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

Time: 8:25 p.m. EDT

TV:  NFL Network, CBS

Week 3 Results and Recap

Associated Press

Sunday's 12-6 win over the St. Louis Rams was supposed to be all about the return of star running back Le'Veon Bell, adding the best running back in football to arguably the most high-powered offense in the league next to the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots. 

But just as one star came back, another star went down with a significant injury.

Midway through the third quarter, Roethlisberger tried to step up into the pocket to avoid the stumbling Barron, but the fourth-year safety was able to get his arm around Roethlisberger's leg, forcing his knee inward. 

The 12th-year quarterback immediately fell to the ground clutching his knee in what looked like a devastating blow to the Steelers season. 

Fortunately for Pittsburgh, their star quarterback will miss just 4-6 weeks instead of the entire season, allowing him to come back for a potential playoff push, should Vick and the Steelers be able to win a few ballgames without their leader under center.

In the win, Bell racked up 132 total yards of offense (70 receiving, 62 rushing) and one touchdown on 26 touches. 

Bell was a much-needed addition to the Steelers' dynamic offense. When he's healthy and rolling in both facets of the game, the Steelers offense is tough to stop. 

Speaking of tough to stop: Antonio Brown was unstoppable in the first half, hauling in nine passes. For the game, Brown caught 11 passes for 108 yards in the win. He extended his streak of at least five catches for 50 yards in a game to a whomping 35 straight games. 

Stephon Tuitt picked up another sack for the second straight game and set a career high in tackles with six. Safety Will Allen picked off Rams quarterback Nick Foles late in the fourth quarter, and a young defense that had many question marks coming into the season turned in another impressive performance leading the Steelers to the win in the second half.

News and Notes

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Bryant returns to Steelers...sort of

No, the dynamic second-year wideout can't play Thursday against Baltimore, but the former Clemson Tiger who hauled in eight touchdowns in 10 games last year with Pittsburgh returned to the South Side facility, Monday.

Bryant will return in Week 5 against San Diego on the road, Monday, but for now he is allowed to be in the same facility as his teammates and partake in meetings. 

According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport (via NFL.com's Conor Orr), Bryant stayed in a Houston hotel for the first three weeks:

"

Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant returned to the Steelers this week after spending three weeks at a counseling facility in Houston run by noted counselor John Lucas. He is still suspended one more week, and he can't practice. But he'll be in meetings. Bryant spent 9 to 5 for the last three weeks there, living in a hotel the rest of the time. He had two counseling sessions a day. The point was to build structure and keep training.

"

This is good news for the Steelers, who desperately need some positive things to happen in the wake of Roethlisberger's injury. 

Getting Bryant back will add another dynamic weapon to the Steelers offense, giving Vick another toy to work with while he starts in place of Roethlisberger. 

Blake makes NFL history

Unbeknownst to him, Antwon Blake made NFL history against the Rams, just not in the way a player wants to—in the record books.

Blake left Sunday's win early in the second half with a suspected concussion after his head hit running back Tre' Mason's knee on a running play. 

The diminutive corner became the first player to be removed from a game for a suspected concussion that was noticed by an independent observer in the press box, according to Chris Bradford and Kris Lancaster of the Beaver County Times.

Blake understands why he had to come out of the game, he told Bradford and Lancaster Tuesday:

"

I just got up a little slow. I was trying to collect myself real fast, which is normal. All of a sudden they just told me to come out of the game. But I appreciate them looking out for the safety of the players. So, that's a positive.

"

Luckily for Pittsburgh, Blake was able to return to the game.

Finney rejoins practice squad

The former Kansas State center who grew up a Steelers fan is back with the team he loves. B.J. Finney, who was with the Steelers in training camp, was re-signed to the practice squad Tuesday, according to the team's official website. 

Former St. Louis Rams offensive lineman Barrett Jones was released to make room for the rookie Finney.

Latest Injury News

Dan Wright/Associated Press

Heading into Thursday's prime-time showdown with the Ravens, Ben Roethlisberger is the lone player officially ruled out. 

As for Tuesday's practice session, linebacker Ryan Shazier (shoulder), defensive tackle Daniel McCullers (knee) and tight end Matt Spaeth (broken hand) did not participate for the Steelers, according to Steelers.com.

Cornerback Cortez Allen (knee) was a limited participant in practice, while veteran linebacker James Harrison (thumb) was a full participant. 

Harrison will undoubtedly play Thursday night. You'd have to drag him off the field against the Ravens. Allen is still trying to get back from a knee injury suffered in Week 1 against New England, so it would surprise everyone if he came back on a short week. 

The status of Shazier, McCullers and Spaeth are unknown at this point, although it's highly unlikely Spaeth and McCullers will play. 

If Shazier can somehow get healthy before Thursday's kickoff, he would be a huge boost to a defense that has been solid in the last two weeks. 

For the Ravens, defensive tackle Chris Canty (calf), rookie receiver Breshad Perriman (knee) and tight end Crockett Gillmore (calf) didn't practice, Tuesday. Offensive tackle Eugene Monroe (concussion) was limited, according to BaltimoreRavens.com.

With a short week, don't expect Canty and Perriman to play against Pittsburgh. However, Gillmore could play, and if Monroe can come back, it would be a huge boost to a woeful Ravens offensive line that has struggled to run the ball and protect Joe Flacco. 

Both are long shots, but they have a chance to play.

UPDATE, 1:00 p.m. — The Ravens have officially ruled out Chris Canty (calf), Crockett Gillmore (calf) and Eugene Monroe (concussion) for Thursday's game at Pittsburgh. The Steelers ruled out Ben Roethlisberger (knee), Daniel McCullers (knee), Ryan Shazier (shoulder) and Matt Spaeth (hand).

Key Matchups

Associated Press

James Harrison, Jarvis Jones vs. James Hurst

Since taking over for the injured Eugene Monroe, James Hurst has struggled as Joe Flacco's blindside protector. 

He's struggled with speed rushers and power rushers, both of which the Steelers have at right outside linebacker. 

Despite not showing up much on the stat sheet, Jarvis Jones had a solid game against the Rams, especially against the run, by containing well on the backside of the play and setting the edge with a good anchor point. 

James Harrison hasn't made much of an impact so far this season, but he lives for games like this against the Ravens. 

If the Steelers' right outside linebackers can put heat on Flacco by beating Hurst, they can disrupt the Ravens deep passing game, which will go a long way toward beating a dysfunctional Ravens team.

Steelers defensive backs vs. Steve Smith Sr.

Haven't had a chance to watch the Bengals-Ravens tape from last week? Well, don't bother. 

What Steve Smith did to the Bengals secondary—which has much more talent than the Steelers current secondary—was borderline criminal. 

Smith was a one-man wrecking crew in Week 3, rolling up 186 yards receiving and two touchdowns on 13 catches. Nobody want's to try and stop this guy when he's angry. It never ends well for his opponents. Just ask Janoris Jenkins in St. Louis or Aqib Talib in Denver. 

Heck, it didn't end well for any of the Bengals defensive backs either. 

To try and slow down Smith, the Steelers will undoubtedly have to roll cover toward the 15th-year receiver. By doing that, it will open up room for Justin Forsett, Maxx Williams, Marlon Brown and Kamar Aiken. The Steelers should rather have those guys try and beat them than let Smith run wild.

Matchup X-Factors

USA Today Sports

With a big rivalry game looming in prime time, Thursday, it's time for James Harrison to step up front and center. 

The 13-year linebacker has a knack for coming up with big "splash plays" in games like this, whether it's a big sack, forced fumble or interception. 

Despite not making his presence felt much through three games, there's a feeling Harrison is a sleeping giant who will awaken against Baltimore. 

With a rather green left tackle across from him and Flacco in the crosshairs, don't be surprised if Harrison comes up with some big plays. 

Without Roethlisberger under center, Pittsburgh will have to rely on its defense to come up large once again. Should Harrison turn in his typical rivalry-game performance, the Steelers stand a good chance of beating Baltimore in Heinz Field.

Prediction: Ravens 23, Steelers 20

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It's so hard to fathom the Ravens can lose this game and fall to 0-4, effectively ending their season before it ever really starts. On the flip side, it's also hard to envision the Steelers racking up tons of yards and points without Ben Roethlisberger under center. 

With Michael Vick starting his first game for the Steelers, expect a simplified offense that is reliant on quick, one-read throws to get the ball out of his hand quickly and efficiently to Brown, Miller, Bell, Williams and Wheaton in space—something the Ravens secondary has given plenty of so far this season.

A heavy dosage of Bell and Williams on the ground and quick screens and shallow crossing routes to Brown will be in play as well. Vick has to get the ball to his top playmakers as often as possible. 

Defensively, the Steelers have to put pressure on Flacco early and often, disrupting his timing with his receivers, especially Steve Smith Sr. 

The Ravens running game shouldn't be a problem for the Steelers based on what Baltimore has put on tape to start the year. 

This game will come down to which quarterback can make more big plays in big moments than the other one. 

History suggests the quarterback to do that, Thursday, will be Flacco, especially at Heinz Field.