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PITTSBURGH
BALTIMORE |
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44
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Final
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| 101 | PITTSBURGH | +120 | | 102 | BALTIMORE | -140 |
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| All Games | 1-0 | +1 | 0-1 | 1-0 | 30.0 | 27.0 | 490.0 | (7.8) | 1.0 | 27.0 | 3.0 | 389.0 | (6.4) | 0.0 | | Last 3 Games | 1-0 | +1 | 0-1 | 1-0 | 30.0 | 27.0 | 490.0 | (7.8) | 1.0 | 27.0 | 3.0 | 389.0 | (6.4) | 0.0 | | Division Games | 1-0 | +1 | 0-1 | 1-0 | 30.0 | 27.0 | 490.0 | (7.8) | 1.0 | 27.0 | 3.0 | 389.0 | (6.4) | 0.0 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 30.0 | 27.0 | 24.0 | 32:27 | 28-127 | (4.5) | 24-35 | 68.6% | 363 | (10.4) | 63-490 | (7.8) | (16.3) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 30 | 27 | 24 | 32:27 | 28-127 | (4.5) | 24-35 | 68.6% | 363 | (10.4) | 63-490 | (7.8) | (16.3) | | Defense (All Games) | 27.0 | 3.0 | 23.0 | 27:33 | 30-183 | (6.1) | 19-31 | 61.3% | 206 | (6.6) | 61-389 | (6.4) | (14.4) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 27 | 3 | 23 | 28:33 | 30-183 | (6.1) | 19-31 | 61.3% | 206 | (6.6) | 61-389 | (6.4) | (14.4) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | -1.0 | 12-4 | 33.3% | 1-1 | 100.0% | 2-29 | (14.5) | 3-46 | (15.3) | 11-96 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12-4 | 33.3% | 1-1 | 100.0% | 2-29 | (14.5) | 46-3 | (15.3) | 11-96 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | | 11-2 | 18.2% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 4-85 | (21.2) | 1-0 | (0) | 8-55 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 11-2 | 18.2% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 4-85 | (21.2) | 0-1 | (0) | 8-55 |
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| All Games | 0-1 | -1.2 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 16.0 | 0.0 | 420.0 | (5.1) | 2.0 | 23.0 | 15.0 | 380.0 | (5.9) | 0.0 | | Home Games | 0-1 | -1.2 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 16.0 | 0.0 | 420.0 | (5.1) | 2.0 | 23.0 | 15.0 | 380.0 | (5.9) | 0.0 | | Last 3 Games | 0-1 | -1.2 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 16.0 | 0.0 | 420.0 | (5.1) | 2.0 | 23.0 | 15.0 | 380.0 | (5.9) | 0.0 | | Turf Games | 0-1 | -1.2 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 16.0 | 0.0 | 420.0 | (5.1) | 2.0 | 23.0 | 15.0 | 380.0 | (5.9) | 0.0 | | Division Games | 0-1 | -1.2 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 16.0 | 0.0 | 420.0 | (5.1) | 2.0 | 23.0 | 15.0 | 380.0 | (5.9) | 0.0 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 16.0 | 0.0 | 26.0 | 29:30 | 20-91 | (4.5) | 35-62 | 56.5% | 329 | (5.3) | 82-420 | (5.1) | (26.2) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 16 | 0 | 26 | 30:30 | 20-91 | (4.5) | 35-62 | 56.5% | 329 | (5.3) | 82-420 | (5.1) | (26.2) | | Offense Home Games | 16.0 | 0.0 | 26.0 | 29:30 | 20-91 | (4.5) | 35-62 | 56.5% | 329 | (5.3) | 82-420 | (5.1) | (26.2) | | Defense (All Games) | 23.0 | 15.0 | 16.0 | 30:30 | 26-79 | (3) | 25-38 | 65.8% | 301 | (7.9) | 64-380 | (5.9) | (16.5) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 23 | 15 | 16 | 30:30 | 26-79 | (3) | 25-38 | 65.8% | 301 | (7.9) | 64-380 | (5.9) | (16.5) | | Defense Home Games | 23.0 | 15.0 | 16.0 | 30:30 | 26-79 | (3) | 25-38 | 65.8% | 301 | (7.9) | 64-380 | (5.9) | (16.5) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | -2.0 | 17-8 | 47.1% | 2-1 | 50.0% | 4-109 | (27.2) | 2-2 | (1) | 3-29 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 17-8 | 47.1% | 2-1 | 50.0% | 4-109 | (27.2) | 2-2 | (1) | 3-29 | | Stats For (Home Games) | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | -2.0 | 17-8 | 47.1% | 2-1 | 50.0% | 4-109 | (27.2) | 2-2 | (1) | 3-29 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | | 14-4 | 28.6% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 0-0 | (0) | 1-45 | (45) | 4-45 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 14-4 | 28.6% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 0-0 | (0) | 45-1 | (45) | 4-45 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | | 14-4 | 28.6% | 0-0 | 0.0% | 0-0 | (0) | 1-45 | (45) | 4-45 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: PITTSBURGH 16, BALTIMORE 25 |
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| 9/7/2014 | CLEVELAND | 30-27 | W | -5.5 | L | 41.5 | O | 28-127 | 24-35-363 | 1 | 30-183 | 19-31-206 | 0 | | 9/11/2014 | @ BALTIMORE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9/21/2014 | @ CAROLINA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9/28/2014 | TAMPA BAY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/5/2014 | @ JACKSONVILLE | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 9/7/2014 | CINCINNATI | 16-23 | L | -1 | L | 43.5 | U | 20-91 | 35-62-329 | 2 | 26-79 | 25-38-301 | 0 | | 9/11/2014 | PITTSBURGH | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9/21/2014 | @ CLEVELAND | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9/28/2014 | CAROLINA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10/5/2014 | @ INDIANAPOLIS | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | PITTSBURGH: The Steelers tried to implement a zone-blocking scheme last season under offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr., but they never completely implemented it after center Maurkice Pouncey's season-ending knee injury in Week 1. Ex-Titans head coach Mike Munchak was brought in to finish the job. Le'Veon Bell will be a three-down workhorse in the one-cut system, one that will likely utilize a lot of inside zone plays. LeGarrette Blount will fit the system as a one-cut power runner, though he won't be an option to relieve Bell on passing downs. Rookie Dri Archer will get some grabs on passing downs.
Through his first two seasons with the Steelers, offensive coordinator Todd Haley has emphasized the importance of getting the ball out of Ben Roethlisberger's hands quickly in order to limit the hits he absorbs. They utilize relatively shorter timing routes to set up catch-and-run situations. Antonio Brown is used as a moving chess piece and will continue to be heavily featured. Markus Wheaton gives them a field stretching presence, while tight end Heath Miller and veteran slot man Lance Moore'they use three receivers often'will be traditional possession receivers. Haley continues to go to the air inside the 10 often, though Pittsburgh lost its top two red-zone threats (Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders). Look for Miller to see an expanded red-zone role, with Darrius Heyward-Bey possibly working his way into the mix.
The Steelers defense took a step back in 2013, placing tied for 27th in turnovers and tied for 25th in sacks. They helped themselves in the draft with OLB Ryan Shazier and DE Stephon Tuitt, and also signed FS Mike Mitchell, but Dick LeBeau's unit is still lacking playmakers and run-stoppers to return to their Steel Curtain glory days. | | BALTIMORE: This is a zone-blocking running game that never got going a year ago. Part of it was sluggish running from Ray Rice, but a lot of it was simply poor blocking up front from an offensive line that was working in new faces. Rice may face a suspension of three games or longer stemming from an assault charge from earlier this year, but he figures to take the bulk of the carries once he's back, as Bernard Pierce didn't fare much better a year ago. Look for more outside stretch plays for Rice, who dropped weight during the offseason to prepare for the new offense. Justin Forsett, who played for new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak in Houston, could end up pushing Pierce for the No. 2 role. Kubiak always stayed very run-heavy in the red zone with Arian Foster carrying the load for the Texans'Rice should get a chance to take on that role early in the year.
The passing game will likely have a different look under Kubiak, a West Coast disciple. Expect more hard play-action with quarterback Joe Flacco reversing field and looking to take deep shots. Flacco will be asked to move much more than he had in the past. Torrey Smith and Steve Smith will both see time at Z-receiver, a position that's a move- able chess piece and the primary cog in the passing game. Kubiak uses multiple formations in the passing game, but he figures to use two tight ends often, with Dennis Pitta working crossing routes. The running backs will also be used frequently in the screen game.
After a complete overhaul of defensive personnel entering 2013, the Ravens defense stayed virtually intact in 2014 while adding FS Darian Stewart and rookies ILB C.J. Mosley and DT Timmy Jernigan. OLB Terrell Suggs (1 sack in final 8 games) must get more pressure to increase his team's turnovers (only six multi-TO games last year). |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (PITTSBURGH-BALTIMORE) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Steelers-Ravens Preview* =========================
By JEFF BARTL STATS Senior Writer
Disturbing new video evidence that surfaced earlier this week regarding Ray Rice's domestic violence incident left the Baltimore Ravens little choice but to terminate the embattled running back's contract immediately.
And though such an offensive finding further complicates an issue that has drawn criticism toward the franchise and the NFL as a whole, the short-term impact on the field doesn't change for the Ravens, who already were prepared to play without Rice in Thursday night's home matchup with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rice was banned two games by commissioner Roger Goodell after a video showed Rice dragging his unconscious then-fiancee from a casino elevator after a domestic spat that drew charges from law enforcement, though they eventually were dropped.
But after a more complete video surfaced Monday that showed Rice punching his now-wife before pulling her out of the elevator, the Ravens released Rice. Goodell, who previously admitted the initial suspension was too lenient, followed by suspending Rice indefinitely.
"(The video) changed things, of course," said coach John Harbaugh, who had expressed his support for Rice since the initial reports of the incident were publicized. "It made things a little bit different."
Though the Rice situation could be a distraction, nothing changes personnel-wise in regards to this contest. The Ravens still must figure out the direction of their running game after totaling just 23 yards on nine carries in the first half and falling behind 15-0 before the break Sunday against Cincinnati.
Bernard Pierce started but fumbled in the second quarter and didn't play again. Justin Forsett took over and ran 11 times for 70 yards and a touchdown, but the Ravens gave up a late touchdown pass after briefly taking the lead and lost 23-16.
"The game is done. It's shaken off. On to next week," Pierce said.
Things may not go much better against the Steelers if Baltimore can't get its offense going. Joe Flacco went 35 of 62 for 345 yards and an interception, with 80 of those yards coming on a TD to Steve Smith in the fourth quarter.
Though Flacco was shaky, his receivers dropped an NFL-high six passes in Week 1.
"We dropped all the gimmies, but we caught all the hard ones," Smith said. "Things can happen and you've got to take responsibility. This receiver group has a lot of opportunities to be great, and I think we overthought things and ran before we had the ball. We've just got to play better."
The Steelers know they have room for improvement as well, but they were able to hang on for a 30-27 victory over Cleveland on Sunday despite blowing a 24-point halftime lead.
"People probably didn't like the way we came out with a `W,' but we came out with a `W,'" cornerback Ike Taylor said. "So nobody has really nothing to talk about except for the small things, and we'll correct them."
Taylor, though, was part of a defense that allowed the Browns to score on four straight possessions in the second half. Pittsburgh then had to stop Cleveland twice late before Shaun Suisham kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired.
"We're not going to let (Sunday) define us by any stretch," coach Mike Tomlin said. "We're going to need a better result if we want to get a victory on Thursday night."
Ben Roethlisberger had a career-best 278 yards in the first half and finished with 365, including a 35-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown that preceded a 38-yard scoring run by Le'Veon Bell in the second quarter.
Bell finished with 109 yards rushing while catching six passes for 88 yards, and he's looking forward to facing a Baltimore defense against which he totaled 166 yards and a touchdown on the ground as the clubs split a pair of meetings last season.
Those contests were decided by a total of five points. Nine of the last 10 regular-season games in this rivalry have been decided by three points or fewer.
"I can't wait to get to Baltimore and see what these guys are really about," Bell said. "They are going to play tough. They know what we like to do, we know what they like to do. Both teams are similar. It's going to be a good game."
Pittsburgh has lost four of the last six meetings with the Ravens in a rivalry that it sure to feature more physical play Thursday.
"Thursday Night Football, primetime, and at our rival's home field. You don't need any extra motivation," Steelers cornerback William Gay said. "It's Baltimore versus Pittsburgh. The fans are excited for it. We are excited for it."
The Ravens have had a rough week due to the loss and escalation of the Rice situation, but linebacker Terrell Suggs said they can't dwell on that with such an important matchup looming.
"It's a short week, fortunately for us," Suggs said. "We get to look at (Sunday's loss) real quick, throw it away and move on to our rivals."
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 4/28/2024 12:49:26 AM EST. |
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