Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 Keys To a Baltimore Win

The Baltimore Ravens will face the Pittsburgh Steelers for the third time this season, with an AFC Championship birth on the line this weekend.

Both teams split the regular season series, with each win decided by three points.

While the Steelers enter the postseason rested, the Ravens have won five straight games and are gaining confidence.

Can the underdog Ravens go into Pittsburgh and pull off the upset? It can certainly happen, but my five keys to the game need to be put into action if Baltimore wishes to move on to the next round.

I am a Baltimore Ravens fan and an NFL Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com.

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Ravens Secondary Must Contain Mike Wallace Again

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball on a trick play during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Imag

Receiver Mike Wallace has been the most explosive offensive target for the Steelers this season. With over 1,200 yards and 10 TDs on the season, it will be key for the Ravens to make Wallace their biggest concern on the Pittsburgh offense.

Through two games this season, their plans have been working. Wallace has been held to seven catches for 100 yards and zero touchdowns.

Help should be available in the back end for Lardarius Webb, Chris Carr and Josh Wilson, who could all see time against Wallace.

If Wallace can't be effective down the field against the Ravens, the Steelers offense becomes much easier to contain.

Ray Rice Needs Breakout Game against the Steelers

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Running back Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens pauses during a break in the action against the Kansas City Chiefs during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Missou

Over the past month of the 2010 season, Ray Rice has started to show explosiveness in the Ravens offense.

His ability to gain big yards on the ground and in the passing game has made him another threat defenses need to put more coverage on.

Rice is due for a big game against the Steelers, as he was was nonexistent in the first two meetings this season.

Ray will need to be effective for the Ravens offense to have any success throughout the course of the game.

Ravens Defense Needs To Continue Forcing Turnovers

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Safety Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to playing 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 Doug Pensinger

Over the past month, the Ravens defense has been a turnover machine. Ed Reed and company have taken advantage of quarterbacks and offensive weapons alike.

The turnover battle needs to be won this time around when they play the Steelers, who took advantage of the turnovers during their win in Baltimore.

Putting pressure on Ben is the key, but forcing Rashard Mendenhall and the young Steelers receivers to make crucial mistakes will be key down the stretch.

Cam Cameron Needs To Utilize Weapons in Ravens Offense

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Wide receiver Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens makes a catche for 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 Kan

The Baltimore Ravens offense came to life last week in the win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Cam Cameron's playbook came to life as the Chiefs were fooled many times by the run-pass ratio of the Ravens.

There has been speculation all throughout the week that Cameron has been saving many plays from practice until the playoffs, especially for a top defense like Pittsburgh.

Look for Anquan Boldin to have another solid game against the Steelers, and Derrick Mason should have a bounce-back game as well.

I will be waiting to see if Donte' Stallworth can be used more effectively in this game, as he can be another difficult weapon to stop in the Ravens offense.

Terrell Suggs Needs To Have Big Day against the Steelers Again

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens pauses during a break in the action against the Kansas City Chiefs during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City, Mis

The biggest talker this week between the Ravens and the Steelers is Terrell Suggs. For now, he has the right to voice his opinion.

Suggs has continued his success against the Steelers this season, especially last game when he provided tons of pressure on Ben Roethlisberger.

"T-Sizzle" is known for being extra prepared whenever it is time to play the Steelers. He will need to provide pressure on Ben in this game if the Ravens are to pull the upset and move on to the AFC title game.