Ray Rice: Is It Worth Playing Vs. Steelers To Risk Further Injury?

About this time the NFL gets littered with injured players, probables,and questionables.  As we enter week 4, I got to thinking about Ray Rice.  So far his season has been lackluster to say the least.  Couple that with a newly acquired injury and a stellar Steeler’s defense and you come to the conclusion he should just take one week off.  Or should he?

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of Ray Rice playing this Sunday.

Play No. 5: It’s a Division Game

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 26: Alex Mack #55 of the Cleveland Browns snaps the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 24-17. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Going into this season, prognosticators had either the Steelers or Ravens taking the AFC North.  Early results show the NFL think tank were not that far off.  Anytime you go against a formidable opponent from your own division the stakes get taken a bit higher.  

The football season is different from other sports in the weight each game holds.  While pennants are won and lost in August and September, NFL playoff spots are played for each and every week.  It would behoove the Ravens to play at their capacity this weekend.

Sit No. 5 - Schedule

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in action during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

This is going to be a long year for Baltimore, especially if Rice is injured. They have a fairly tough schedule and need their featured back running at his fittest.  While they may lose ground with a loss this Sunday, giving up your Pro Bowl back this early in the season will mean lights out.  

They have one more against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Atlanta, New England, and New Orleans.  Without Rice, those could all be losses.

Play No. 4: Which Flacco Will Show Up

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to throws a pass against the New York Jets during the home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/

The Ravens may be 2-1 but they have potential issues at the top of their heap.  Joe Flacco’s first two games were abominable.  He followed a week one rating of 62 with a detestable week two rating of 23.  Just as fantasy owners had their fingers on the drop button, he threw up a monster game last week.  

Going into the most unfriendly confines of Heinz Stadium, the Ravens would do well to have one more offensive weapon.  This is just in case we get a bit more of Flacco from weeks one and two. 

Sit No. 4: Rice Was a No Show for Flacco’s Week 3 Dominance

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 26: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens can't hold onto a pass as he's taken down by Scott Fujita #99 of the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 24-17.

True that you want your team clicking on all cylinders against the Steelers.  However, Flacco’s fantastic week three showing was not from a balanced offensive attack featuring Ray Rice.  Actually, Rice had his worst game of the season.  The Ravens can look to Cleveland’s porous defense for their QB’s emergence.  

So, with that I wonder.  Would a semi healthy Ray Rice even matter this weekend?

Play No. 3 - Willis McGahee

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BALTIMORE - OCTOBER 11: Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Bengals defeated the Ravens 17-14. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

When John Harbaugh takes a gander behind Ray Rice he doesn't exactly have a world beater for a back-up.  So far this season, McGahee has run for 37 yards and coughed up the ball once.  That is not a lot in the way of positive production.  A look into last year’s results illustrates that McGahee does well against poor teams and is completely stunted against defensive power houses.  Again, they play Pittsburgh Sunday.

The more you look at it, the more you are convinced the Ravens will have to air it out this Sunday.

Sit No. 3: McGahee Needs Touches

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 16: Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball as Antonio Johnson #99 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to tackle him from behind in the first quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Lucas Oli Stadium on January 1

Maybe all Willis McGahee needs is some touches.  A look into his brief past shows quite a different level of production when the back gets over 15 attempts a game.  Last year in Oakland he ran for over 167 yards on 16 attempts scoring three touchdowns. 

Earlier in the year he scored twice on Sad Diego off of 15 carries.  Maybe McGahee just needs some love.

Play No. 2: Steelers Defense

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DENVER - AUGUST 29: Linebacker James Harrison #92 and defensive end Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the defense against the Denver Broncos during preseason NFL action at INVESCO Field at Mile High on August 29, 2010 in Denver, Colorado.

I would like to reiterate that you have a shaky quarterback coming off a fantastic game.  Because of the Steelers stingy defense you need an all hands on deck mentality.  If you are missing one component the Steelers will fest on that weakness.

If all players are willing to dress, it is in your best interest to throw the kitchen sink at Polamalu and bunch.

Sit No. 2: Steelers Defense

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 15: Laveranues Coles #11 of the Cincinnati Bengals can't make a catch as Troy Polamalu #43 and William Gay #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers defend at Heinz Field on November 15, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rick Stewart

Well here is the thing.  You can’t run on Pittsburgh anyway.  This season the Steelers have allowed just one ground touchdown and 60 yards by carry.  So what they would be hoping to accomplish from an injured Ray Rice is beyond me.

Play No. 1: This Will Be a Close Game

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BALTIMORE - NOVEMBER 29: Matt Birk #77 of the Baltimore Ravens snaps the ball during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 29, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Steelers 20-17. (Photo by Larry French/

You have two defensive teams, both with question marks behind center.  This game will come down to inches.  Whatever Rice can muster from his bum leg may be enough to get Baltimore over the top.  Either way they need to get to Pittsburgh now while Big Ben is out.

Sit No. 1: The Ravens Need Ray Rice

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs for an 83-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the New England Patriots during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachu

You would think this would fall under reasons to play.  I mean to say the Ravens need Rice for the whole season.  A similar injury to the one he received last week in the fourth quarter could mean lights out not just for Rice but for Baltimore.  

If the sprain is not mild and the team is leading us on, as NFL teams tend to do, it may be in their best interest to have Ray Rice take a breather this weekend.

Conclusion -

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BALTIMORE - DECEMBER 20: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Chicago Bears at M&T Bank Stadium on December 20, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

This is the NFL.  Seasons are short and games matter.  Players play with fractures, strains, pulls...but god forbid turf toe.  With a mild strain, Rice will definitely play Sunday.  Should he?  Yes.  Because all of his colleagues would do the same.