2011 NFL Playoffs: A Look at How the Steelers and Ravens Match Up by Position

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens prepare to bring their hard-hitting, AFC North rivalry to the NFL Playoffs.

These are two evenly matched teams that know each other well. They split their two regular season games. Each team won by three on the other's home field. 

I am going to break down this matchup position by position and see why these two teams are so evenly matched and what they can look to exploit.

The Trenches: OL vs. DL/LBs

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Matt Birk #77 of the Baltimore Ravens prepares to snap the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh and Baltimore both win games with defense, and they build their defenses to be dominant at the point of attack. They both like to run the ball more than the average team, and both teams struggle to protect the passer.

The Steelers have the superior rush defense, pass rush and running game. The Ravens do a better job of protecting the passer.

Edge: Steelers

The Regular Season Numbers:

Team D	YPC	Rank	Sack %	Rank
Pitt	3.0	1	7.5	6
Balt	4.0	10	4.7	31

Team O	YPC	Rank	Sack %	Rank
Pitt	4.1	18	8.2	30
Balt	3.7	29	7.7	25

The Head-To-Head Averages:

Team O	Carries	YPC	Sacks
Pitt	25.5	2.7	2
Balt	23.5	2.4	3

The Short Game: RBs/TEs vs. LBs/Safeties

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Running back Isaac Redman #33 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball against linebacker Tavares Gooden #56 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore,

The similarities don't stop in the trenches. Both teams have competent pass catching TEs that rank third on their team in receiving yards.

RB Ray Rice has the fourth most recieving yards for the Ravens, and if the Steelers combine Mewelde Moore and Rashard Mendenhall, they would be fourth on the Steelers in receiving yards.

Football Outsiders ranks teams pass defense against particular positions.

The Steelers rank fifth against TEs and 15th against RBs.

The Ravens rank second against TEs and 12th against RBs.

Head-to-Head Averages:

Player	Catches	Yards	TDs
H. Miller	1.5	20.5	0
T. Heap	1.5	17.5	0
Pitt RBs	4.5	30.5	0
Balt RBs	3.5	21	0

The Steelers had a slight edge in this area in their head-to-head contests, but the Ravens were more consistent on the year. Ray Rice is the best receiving back in this game, and Todd Heap looked better than he has all year last week against the Chiefs. Also, Ray Lewis is one of the best ILBs ever at disrupting a passing game.

Edge: Ravens

The Deep Threat: QBs/WRs vs. Secondary

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 03: Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens runs after a catch in front of Bryant McFadden #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on October 3, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Get

With both of these teams being effective in shutting down the backs and TEs, they are going to have to make some plays on the outside to the wide receivers.

Both Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger are playoff-tested QBs, with a knack for the big play. Still, you have to give the Steelers the edge at QB. Ben's ability to create plays after the offense breaks down is second to none, and it will likely come into play here.

The Ravens did a lot to upgrade their WRs, and it shows. The Steelers WRs have been productive, but they do not match the Ravens.

The Head-to-Head Averages

Team	Catches	Yards	TDs
Balt WRs	14	212	1
Pitt WRs	9	139	0

Both secondaries have Hall of Fame-caliber safeties. Both Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu are battling injuries, but both are going to play on Sunday. The excellent safety play helps these teams hide less-than-stellar CB play. For my money, this is going to be the key matchup. On paper, you have to go...

Edge: Ravens

Isn't That Special: Special Teams

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Punter Sam Koch #4 of the Baltimore Ravens punts the ball to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The value of special teams is increased in a defensive battle. A big special teams play can be the difference. The Steelers are using different kickers than they did the first half of the season. They were forced to replace the punter due to injury and the kicker due to ineffectiveness/stupidity.

Neither of these teams received many big plays from their special teams, and they didn't give up many either.

The Ravens kicker, Billy Cundiff, led the league in touchbacks, and he converted 90 percent of his field goals and had a long of 49 yards. 

The Steelers kicker, Shaun Suisham, was 14-of-19 on field goals with a long of 48.

While Baltimore gets more touchbacks, the Steelers eliminate the advantage with excellent coverage. They allow only 20 yards per kickoff return.

The Ravens have the edge in the punting game. They average 1.3 yards more per return. The Ravens punter, Sam Koch averages nearly seven more net yards per punt than the Steelers, Jeremy Kapinos.

Edge: Ravens

Ball Security: Turnovers

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens lands on the ground during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10. (Photo by Larry Fren

In a game that figures to be as close as this one, neither team can afford a turnover.

The Steelers finished the season second in the league with a plus-17 turnover margin.

The Ravens finished the season ninth in the league with a plus-seven turnover margin.

Both teams have ball hawking secondaries. Ed Reed tied for the league lead with eight INTs, despite missing the first six games.

Both QBs are excellent at avoiding INTs. Roethlisberger and Flacco finished ninth and 10th respectively in interception percentage.

The used a big advantage in forcing and recovering fumbles to give them a plus-10 turnover margin advantage over the Ravens.

Head-to-head, the Steelers had a plus-one turnover advantage on the Ravens.

Edge: Steelers

Calm under Pressure: Leadership and Playoff Experience

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Get

Both of these teams' rosters are littered with playoff experience. Guys that have been through the fire and come out on top. They have playmakers in every position.

If there is less than two minutes left in the Super Bowl, Ben Roethlisberger is on a short list of QBs that you would want on your side.

If your team is an underdog and about to play a game in a hostile playoff environment is there a defensive player that you would select before Ray Lewis?

Edge: Steelers...no Ravens, wait...

Battle of the Brains: The Head Coaches

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PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18: Head coach Mike Tomlin #(R) of the Pittsburgh Steelers is congratulated by head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens after the Steelers won 23-14 during the AFC Championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pitts

The Steelers and Ravens both appear set at the head coach position for years to come. Tomlin has one more year experience on Harbaugh and the only Super Bowl victory between the two. Yet, both has experienced playoff success, and Tomlin inherited a more complete team than Harbaugh did.

I don't think fans of either team would trade their coaches for anyone.

Edge: Tie

Conclusions: Steelers vs. Ravens

These teams are strikingly similar. There is not a big matchup advantage to be had in this one. Each matchup is close, and it is splitting hairs to find a difference. This is reflective in the regular season matchups between the two.

Both of the regular season games ended with a three-point difference, and there is no reason to think this game will be any different.

The Steelers have the home-field advantage in a series where both teams won on the other's field. So you tell me who has the advantage? There is no wrong answer.

Overall Edge: Tie

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