Ravens vs. Steelers: What's the Game Plan for Baltimore?

The Baltimore Ravens face the Pittsburgh Steelers on this week's edition of Thursday Night Football.

The game takes place on the first day of October, with Baltimore ending the month of September without a win for the first time under head coach John Harbaugh. 

The Ravens simply aren't a franchise that has an 0-3 start in even its worst seasons, but that's what they're dealing with this year. Whether it's indicative of how the entire season will be or just a minor setback before a major comeback will largely be determined by how this Thursday's game plays out.

The 1992 San Diego Chargers are the only team to ever make the playoffs after starting a season 0-4, per Ryan Field of Fox Sports 1. Needless to say, the Ravens can pretty much kiss any hope of the playoffs goodbye if they don't win this week. 

Beating the Steelers in Pittsburgh won't be easy, but Baltimore knows as good as anyone how to get it done. The last time these two teams met was in the Wild Card Round of the 2015 playoffs.

That game saw the Ravens beat Pittsburgh 30-17 on its home turf of Heinz Field after splitting the regular-season series with it. Here's a look at what Baltimore's game plan should be this week against the Steelers. 

Offensive Game Plan

A big reason why the Steelers are off to a solid 2-1 start is their run defense is much-improved. After ranking No. 25 in rushing yards allowed per attempt (4.4) last year, Pittsburgh ranks No. 9 in yards allowed per rush (3.6) this season.

When teams wanted to run the ball against the Steelers last year, they had their way more often than not. But Pittsburgh's playing much better defending the run this year, whereas Baltimore is significantly worse running the ball.

The Ravens currently rank No. 28 in yards per rush (3.3), and their 72.7 rushing yards per game are tied for No. 27. They simply cannot run the ball right now, and there's little reason to expect them to improve dramatically this week.

The good news is Baltimore has quarterback Joe Flacco going against a Steelers secondary that struggles mightily. It ranks No. 29 in completion percentage allowed (77 percent) and dead last in yards allowed per passing attempt (10.0).

According to Pro Football Focus, Pittsburgh's minus-18.2 pass-coverage rating is the third worst of any team. If Baltimore's offense is to be efficient and effective in this one, it'll be primarily through the air.

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The good news is Baltimore has found success throwing the ball in its past two games. Against the Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals, Flacco completed a ridiculous 64 passes for 746 yards and four scores versus two interceptions.

He needs to keep that up against the Steelers if the Ravens are to come out of Pittsburgh with a win. Another key player to Baltimore's passing game will be Steve Smith Sr.

He's been unstoppable over the past two games, catching 23 passes for 336 yards and two scores.  Expect to see Flacco targeting Smith Sr. early and often in this game.

Other will need to step up, but that will be the most common connection if the Ravens are to win this contest. 

Defensive Game Plan

Defending the Steelers offense is something few teams have been able to do. That is, defending it when it's at full strength, something it'll be far from this week.

Pittsburgh will be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after he suffered a sprained MCL and bone bruise that will sideline him four to six weeks. Starting in his place will be journeyman Michael Vick, who's now on his third different team in three seasons.   

Vick was once the best dual-threat QB in football, as evidenced by his 6,005 career rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. At 35 years of age, though, Vick has been relegated to being more of a pocket passer—and not a good one at that. 

He rushed for just 153 yards and no scores in 10 games with the New York Jets last season. Vick also completed just 64 of 121 passes (52.9 percent) for 604 yards (4.99 yards per attempt) and three touchdowns against two interceptions. 

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Vick also had a mere 21.4 quarterback rating. That would have been the worst in the NFL had he attempted enough passes to qualify in ESPN's rankings. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Vick ranked No. 72 out of 75 QBs who played in 2014, so Baltimore needs to do its best to make sure Vick is the one who beats it.

He simply hasn't shown he's capable of it based on his recent history as a starting QB. The Ravens' defensive game plan needs to focus on taking away Pittsburgh's other offensive weapons and putting the ball in Vick's hands more.

Key Matchup to Watch

Maxx Williams vs. Steelers DBs and LBs

The Steelers defense is very weak against the pass and even more so against tight ends. The bad news for Baltimore is Crockett Gillmore has been ruled out of this game because of a calf injury.

That means rookie Maxx Williams will be the primary tight end in this game. He's shown flashes of being a quality play thus far but has just five catches on 10 targets for 67 yards through three games.

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Pittsburgh likes to use a combination of safeties and linebackers to cover opposing tight ends. That will present a variety of looks for Williams to try to get open on.

One play he'll be facing a big linebacker, and next he could be facing a smaller defensive back. So far, Williams hasn't been able to get open against anyone, but Flacco hasn't targeted him much with Gillmore playing.

Now that Williams is the guy, expect him to be more of a focal point in the offense in Week 4. 

Prediction

The Ravens are in desperate need of a win sitting 0-3. After losing another close game to the Bengals last week, Baltimore will be able to play four complete quarters and get this win.

A big reason why, though, will be once the Ravens get a lead, their secondary won't be under as much pressure to preserve it late, as Vick won't be ready to lead his team from behind after becoming the starting QB on a short week with little preparation.

It also helps that the Ravens' emerging passing game is going against a struggling Steelers secondary. That's where Baltimore will generate most of its offense, while the defense will do just enough to slow down Pittsburgh and get the win.

Final Score: Ravens 26, Steelers 20