…and similar to my thoughts in my recent blogs as well. I see a lot of Big Ben in Flacco. Both have the size and come from what might have been considered lesser competitive college backgrounds. Both were “forced” into starting gigs due to injuries in their rookie seasons. Both had decent offensive lines to protect them and strong ground games so as not to have to win each game with his arm. Finally, both had great defenses to create turnovers and make it easier to put points on the board via the short field.

While I don’t expect Flacco to lead us to 15 wins like Roethlisberger did, it is looking much better than originally expected for my Ravens.

This game will tell us a lot more about our rookie QB. A lot of doubter’s have pointed to the fact that we played both games at home against two teams whose combined record is 0-6. At the same time, you guys have two wins, although one on the road, against two teams whose combined record is 0-5. Pretty even I say. You guys definitely have the advantage and will be favored and picked by everybody. However, that’s why they play the games. It could very easily go either way.

Man, I was really hoping the Browns would be our main competition for the division. I was looking forward to the easy glide to the finish line. Frickin Ravens.

If I were the Ravens, I’d tell Flacco to throw at Ike Taylor. This game could be really low scoring, so turnovers and especially defensive TD’s could determine the game. The left side of our secondary already has 5 picks on the year, and Woodey even has one over there. Taylor, on the other hand, can’t catch anything. If I were the Ravens, I’d keep the ball on the ground and go at him when I had to pass.

but the Steelers D is better. Expect to see Flacco on his Backo, alot!

28th in passing offense and 30th in total offense is downright criminal. I have no idea where you even get these numbers.

We’ve played in one fewer game than 30 other teams in the NFL that’s 33% fewer yardage opportunities.

We’ve been rushing for 190 yards per game, which is good for second in the NFL.
We’ve been passing for 125.5 yards per game, which is 30th in the NFL (So I have literally no idea where the 28th number came from)
We’ve been putting up 315.5 yards of offense per game, which is 19th in the NFL.

One of the reasons the passing has been so low is simply there hasn’t been much of a need for it. Flacco was passing early, but in the beginning of the third quarter we got a big lead and were moving the ball on the ground well enough there was no point in asking him to pass.

Incidentally, one of Flacco’s interceptions was not his fault. It was on a bizarre flea flicker play which put him 20 yards behind the LOS and included only one receiver running a route. It’s pretty clear Flacco knew he had to make the throw and see what happens, which is exactly what he did. It was one of the strangest plays I’ve ever seen, but in the end was a glorified punt and I hope they never try that crap again.

This is a huge game given that there are essentially two competing teams in this division.

…will be the key to the game for the Steelers. I think that the Raven’s O-line will be able to get a better push than the Steeler’s line. This obviously equates to better protection for Flacco and a better running game.

Again, the game basically boils down to Flacco. If he can manage the game, I think that the Ravens have a chance to win.

Breaking down the ravens defensive statistics more:

The ravens have played against the Bengals and the browns. The bengals are rated 30th in offense by total yards and 13.3 pts/game, the browns are ranked 32nd at 8.7 pts/game. (these totals include penalties which the stats below do not). That needs to be deconstructed a bit more though to find out how the ravens did, because those numbers include the ravens defense against those defense which was pretty stout.

In Cincy’s second game they played the titans and got 215 yards total and just 7 points. In game 3 they scored 347 total yards and 23 points. The average of the two non-ravens games is somewhere around 260 yards and 15 points, so the ravens did very well against them.

The browns first game gained them 205 yards and 10 points, and against the steelers 208 yards and 6 points. The ravens gave them 273 and 10 points.

Basically it’s hard to say where the ravens stand. Clearly their D is good but I don’t know that it is as good as it seems given that the teams that they have played have failed to garner significant yardage elsewhere (besides the bengals v. giants, a notable exception). When you take a look at pittsburgh’s 2nd ranked defense, it’s against a much more offensively stout (when ranked) texans and the eagles. The texans rank 25th in offense and the eagles rank 6th in total offense. The texans took the titans for 317 yards vs. the 210 we allowed in the 4th quarter (I kid!). I won’t even bore anyone with the eagles insane totals.

I think it’s safe to say that based on quality of opposition the pittsburgh D is in a better place (without injuries). We really needed game 2 to take place for the ravens so we could how that worked out.

…don’t forget you guys lost to them. Your two wins are pretty much the same as our two wins, so any negative comments must be shared. If we lose a close game to you in your crib, then it’s pretty much a wash as far as an even comparison. However, if we win Monday night, then we’re way up on top. On the other hand, if you guys blow us out like you did last year, then I guess, the more we change, the more things stay the same.