Nicely, absolutely everyone is saying this game is going to be made the decision by three factors, and that's just an excessive amount of unanimity for me. I am thinking a 10-point game.

While there is certainly a fantastic deal of historical past amongst these two teams going all of the way back to Cleveland, they've only met within the playoffs twice considering that the move to Baltimore. In 2001, the Steelers won at home,Von Miller Jersey, 27-10. Two many years ago, they won once again at your home, 23-14, on their strategy to the Super Bowl. Does a two-game streak count for anything at all? How about an typical margin of 13 factors for Pittsburgh? No? I did not believe so, either.

We previously know some issues about this game, like home field is quite much meaningless in this rivalry. We know Ben Roethlisberger will hold the ball also lengthy some occasions, and we know he'll most likely turn a few close to disasters into wonderful plays. We know Baltimore will try out (and fail) to get Ray Rice operating. We know Ray Lewis was 137 a long time old when he fought Rocky Marciano, and we know both massive time safeties will come to play.

So, what are the keys to a Steelers victory?

1. Overload Oher

In watching Shane Falco (oops! I imply Joe Flacco) this year,Ed Reed Jersey, I've been constantly stunned by his poor recognition of backside strain (there must be a John Waters joke there - he is, after all, from Baltimore) and lack of vision inside the pocket. He just appears to presume no one is bearing down on him, and when he gets hit, I can practically hear the Sicilian Vizzini screaming in his head, "Inconceivable!" That's typically once the ball pops out. An emphasis on overloading 2nd year left tackle Michael Oher with late shifts and blitzes can pay out large dividends this week. Is it incorrect to game strategy to overload Oher and turn Sandra Bullock's movie title into a punny joke? No, it is not. It will be wrong to propose Flacco's expression when Troy Polamalu levels him and strips the ball matches poor Sandra's search when she got blind sided by Jesse James' infidelity, wouldn't it? Would not it? Yes, it would.


2. Emphasize Mendenhall's operating, not getting

I've mentioned it prior to, nevertheless it merits repeating. Rashard Mendenhall's blatant short-arming of a pass in the flat due to the fact visions of a de-cleating by Terrell Suggs have been dancing in his head really restricted his effectiveness (45 yards on 19 carries, 3 catches for 18 yards) in Baltimore in Week 13. We should be cautious involving him inside the passing game, specifically towards the left. I fear that wasn't an isolated incident for Mendenhall, and that type of tentative play results in disjointed horror display defensive touchdowns. If a guy is as part of your head, he's within your head.

3. Energy Running

The Raven's are fifth inside the league this year against the run,Willis McGahee Jersey, but, like the Steelers, portion of that success is perceived (or real) secondary weakness other teams are looking to exploit with pass happy-game plans. But, don't forget the unusual results the Bungles have had against Baltimore not too long ago? They've beaten Baltimore 3 out with the final 4, and in these games they've run the ball 34, 39, 31, and 31 occasions, respectively. I believe the Ravens are vulnerable against energy rushing, and I'd prefer to see Isaac Redman get an unusual number of carries this week.

4. Vertical Passing

Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, Antonio Brown. 3 speedsters, especially Wallace, who can get down the field and make plays. This really is Ben's bread and butter, and I'd like to see between 5 and ten balls fired more than 30 yards on Saturday. If we do that, we'll connect on two or three large plays. That'll loosen up the Ravens D, making area for operating and for the underneath routes of Hines Ward and Heath Miller. Take individuals shots, Ben.

5. Protecting Roethlisberger

If we're going to take shots downfield,Cheap Jerseys, the O-line has to play really properly. That group over any other continues to be decimated this year with injury right after injury, so the week off to heal was extraordinarily useful. When the Week 13 game is any indicator, we also can't anticipate any aid from the officials in penalizing the Ravens for taking their shots at Ben, either. That is an additional reason to employ Redman far more within the offense. We are able to retain him in to bolster pass protection,Wholesale NCAA Jerseys, and we can have him chip Suggs, leak into the flat, and in fact try to catch the ball on the verify down. I see great points there.

Why isn't this the attribute Sunday night prime-time game? It really is effortlessly the top matchup within the divisional round, but I guess foot fetishes, Tom Brady's hair, and all of the New York-Boston hatred swayed CBS. That is okay, although. This can be gonna be fun.

Oh, and one particular bonus key that is not about how the Steelers can win: Like Henry Fonda mentioned in "On Golden Pond," "Baltimore has often been a sneaky town." If that's true, they will invest some time functioning William Gay into their game plan. I've spent the whole season watching him seem like the tail on a kite even though his man is streaking downfield racking up yards following catch. Baltimore, please, please, please, forget to exploit William Gay in nickel packages. Please?

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