Week Five is upon us and it brings the rival Baltimore Ravens. The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to bounce back from their brutal loss in Houston. Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
What: Baltimore Ravens 3-1 at Pittsburgh Steelers 2-2
Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
When: 1pmET Sunday October 8, 2023
Weather: Mostly cloudy 52 degrees. Winds to 13mph at kickoff.
Wagering Information: Ravens -4.5 O/U 38
Last Week: The Ravens went into Cleveland and beat the Browns 24-3 while the Steelers were roughed up in Houston losing 30-6.
TV: CBS Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analysis), Evan Washburn (field reporter)
TV Coverage in Your Area: See if you’re getting the game! Click here 506sports.com.
Radio: Steelers Nation Radio/WDVE Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Craig Wolfley (analysis), Missi Matthews (sideline),
Max Starks (sideline)
ESPN Radio: Steve Levy (play-by-play), Sal Paolantonio (analysis)
Head Official: Carl Cheffers. He’s a sales manager from the University of California-Irvine. This is his 24th season as a referee. He last worked a Steelers game in 2022 when the Saints came to Pittsburgh. His crew had 13 accepted penalties that day. Not surprisingly, he has a history of poor calls, especially of the 15 yard variety.
Key Injuries/Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT: No. 6 P Pressley Harvin (Hamstring, Right) – Out
No. 56 LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) – Questionable, No. 65 OL Dan Moore Jr. (Knee) – Out, No. 78 OL James Daniels (Groin) – Out, No. 88 TE Pat Freiermuth (Hamstring) – Out, No. 98 DE DeMarvin Leal (Concussion) – Out BAL: No. 3 WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Ankle) – Questionable, No. 43 RB Justice Hill (Foot/Hamstring) – Questionable, No. 44 CB Marlon Humphrey (Foot) – Questionable, No. 34 RB Keaton Mitchell (Shoulder) – Questionable, No. 78 T Morgan Moses (Shoulder) – Doubtful
No. 99 OLB Odafe Oweh (Ankle) – Out, No. 79 T Ronnie Stanley (Knee) – Questionable, No. 41 S Daryl Worley (Shoulder) – Out
Injury Notes: As you can see there are injury issues for both teams but I expect most of Baltimore’s “Questionable” players to see action today. Brad Wing will handle the punting duties again and he was more than up to the challenge last week… Nate Herbig gets his second straight start at RG while Broderick Jones will get his first career start at LT.
2023 NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 28th BAL 12th Passing Offense: PIT 25th BAL 26th Rushing Offense: PIT 29th BAL 4th
Total Defense: PIT 23rd BAL 4th Passing Defense: PIT 26th BAL 3rd Rushing Defense: PIT 29th BAL 7th
AFC North Rankings: Baltimore 3-1, Cleveland 2-2, Pittsburgh 2-2, Cincinnati 1-3
This Week in the AFC North: Cincinnati at Arizona 405pmET, Cleveland BYE
What You Need to Know: Mike Tomlin is 17-15 all-time against Baltimore… The last six meetings between the two teams have been decided by five points or less… Pittsburgh has won 5 of the last 6 games in the series… The Steelers’ Defense has 75 interceptions since the start of the 2019 season which ranks second in the NFL over that span… Mike Tomlin is 11-2 following losses by 20 points or more since 2007.
Baltimore Ravens Names to Know: QB Lamar Jackson, LB Roquan Smith, LB Patrick Queen, WR Zay Flowers, TE Mark Andrews, CB Marlon Humphrey, LT Ronnie Stanley, WR Odell Beckham, Jr., TE Isaiah Likely
What’s at Stake: It’s really early but hear me out. The Ravens have already defeated the Browns and Bengals on the road which means a win over the Steelers gives them a two-game advantage and a win over us. They’ll get all three division opponents AT HOME to finish the season. This is a game the Steelers need in a significant way.
All-Time Series: Steelers lead 33-25 and lead at home 19-12
Last Meeting: January 2023 in Baltimore. Steelers 16 Ravens 13
Postseason History: Steelers lead 3-1
Steelers Game Highs vs BAL: PASSING: 506 yards Ben Roethlisberger 12/10/2017 RUSHING: 144 yards Le’Veon Bell 10/01/2017 RECEIVING: 213 yards Antonio Brown 12/10/2017 SACKS: 3.5 T.J. Watt 12/05/2021 (Most Recent) INTERCEPTIONS: 2 Brent Alexander 01/20/2002
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
1. Flip the Switch. I still don’t know what the hell happened last week in Houston but what I do know is that the Pittsburgh Steelers were physically whipped and they were completely outcoached. If they come out the same way then John Harbaugh will no mercy and he will lay it on the Steelers. Therefore, we need to see guys finishing blocks, getting off blocks and tackling well. The aggressiveness and physicality has to return to this organization or it won’t just be a long game, its’ going to be a long season.
2. Get Into Short Yardage. If I had a dime for every third and long this offense has been in through the first four weeks I would have a tremendous amount of dimes. If Matt Canada does anything on Sunday, he needs to get his offense in manageable situations. That means he has to get creative on first and second down. He has to go against his every instinct which is to be predictable and unimaginative. Get Kenny Pickett on half rolls and full rollouts where he can make easier throws or tuck it and run for positive yardage. Let Pickett change out of plays where it is abundantly clear there’s no sign of success. Until Canada is willing and able to do these things then long yardage situations will continue to rule the day.
3. Protect the Outside. The Steelers defense has been absolutely porous when it comes to runs on the outside this season. The inability to consistently set the edge and keep contain has led teams to find major success. The 49ers, Browns and Texans all found success on outside zone plays and there’s no question the Ravens will have that in their playbook. The problem therefore becomes Lamar Jackson. If they find early success then it sets up play-action for him and it also helps to create running lanes for him when he keeps it. Levi Wallace has been particularly poor at maintaining the outside while even T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith have given up too much as well. If that continues Sunday, forget it.
Prediction: I have no doubt – none -that the Steelers will play hard this week. The level of embarrassment on their part has clung to them like stink on a skunk all week long and I’m sure they’re tired of hearing about it. Despite Tomlin’s history of bouncing back well after big losses, there’s too much at play here. Kenny Pickett isn’t playing well and now he’s not 100%. The offensive line is a mess and the defense has struggled to find consistency. About the only consistent positive this year has been Chris Boswell. Meanwhile the Ravens are playing well despite dealing with a lot of injuries. Some of those guys are back this week and I sense John Harbaugh smells blood. The Steelers keep it close by adding a late score but it isn’t enough.
Ravens 20 Steelers 16
Season Record: 2-2
