Baltimore Ravens: 10 Keys To Defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens decisively defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in their wild card playoff game, 30-7. This combined with a Jets win over the Colts means that they will face their AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the divisional playoff game.

The Ravens and Steelers split the season series, with the Ravens winning the first matchup, 17-14, and the Steelers winning the second game, 13-10. As both teams play similar styles of football, the third encounter is expected to be close yet again. Here are 15 keys the Ravens need to focus on if they want to defeat the Steelers next week and make it into the AFC Championship Game.

10. Veteran Presence

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Linebackers Ray Lewis #52 and Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate a play during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Mis

The Steelers' defense is led by James Harrison and James Farrior, among others, most of whom are over 30. The Ravens' defense, likewise, is led by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, both over 30. Both sides have playoff experience, and the key will be for one group to outplay the other. If anyone can create an advantage for their team, it's the Lewis-Reed tandem.

9. Use Receiver Quantity To Advantage

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Wide receiver Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens catches a touchdown in the third quarter of the 2011 AFC wild card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, M

The Steelers rely on Mike Wallace for deeper routes and Hines Ward for shorter ones, and they split the receptions this past season. Baltimore splits their passes between Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin, and Derrick Mason, and can also put in T.J. Houshmanzadeh at times. Bringing in many to overpower the Steelers secondary would give the Ravens an advantage that Joe Flacco can exploit.

8. Give Ray Rice the Ball

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Running back Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter of their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Misso

Going solely by running stats, Ray Rice and Rashard Mendenhall are about equal. Both have ~320 carries for ~1250 yards, and both are hard runners who fit very well on their teams. When you factor in receiving, though, Rice wins, as he is a key weapon in both aspects of the Ravens' offense. The Ravens need to utilize Rice in both roles to try and throw off the Steelers' defense.

7. Trust Todd Heap, Be Wary of Heath Miller

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Tight end Todd Heap #86 of the Baltimore Ravens makes a catch for a first down in the second quarter of their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas C

Todd Heap had a great game against the Chiefs, catching 10 passes for 108 yards. He's a reliable tight end that Flacco can throw to in a pinch. However, Heath Miller plays the exact same role for the Steelers. Heap has to outplay Miller, but more importantly, the Baltimore D needs to make sure Miller does slip by on those third down plays.

6. Terrell Suggs Needs a Big Game

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates a play during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by

Lewis and Reed can lead the defense without a problem, but if the Ravens want to outplay the Steelers' D, the one player that needs a big game is someone who's done that plenty this season, Terrell Suggs. Suggs has 11 sacks on the year, so he can get to the quarterback. If he can get to Ben Roethlisberger, that can help shift the tide of the game.

5. Road Advantage

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the game on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Ima

The Ravens seem to feed off the boos they receive at road games. They did so against the Chiefs, and they did so against the Steelers in their victory during the season. Combine the two, and that makes for a very hungry team.

4. Keep the Ball Safe

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks from the sidelines while playing against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by

This is a given for both sides, as both teams usually do a good job of protecting the ball. The Ravens lost the second game against the Steelers when Polamalu had a key turnover to seal the game for them. The Ravens can't afford that to happen again, so ball protection needs to be a top priority.

3. Form a Run-Pass Balance

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishw

In the victory against Pittsburgh, Baltimore had 37 completed passes compared to 27 rushing attempts. In the loss, it was 33 and 20. Getting into a position where you have to throw the ball late is not where you want to be against the Steelers, so the Ravens have to keep a balance against a team that's tough on both ends, especially the rush.

2. Stay Aggressive

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches from the sidelines against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

There's no doubt that the Steelers have the most aggressive defense in the league, given James Harrison's many fines. The Ravens have to match that agressiveness. They don't have to draw flags and create fines, but they need to stay tough and not take any plays off, especially against the Steelers.

1. Focus On Strengths

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Running back Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the 2011 AFC wild card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011

The Ravens and Steelers play such similar styles of football that the easy solution to this game might be to cover any weaknesses so that the Steelers can't exploit anything. In reality, the Ravens need to concentrate on the strengths of their game. After all, if both teams are similar, and the Ravens can outplay the Steelers where the latter is good, then there's the game for the Ravens.