Monday Night Football preview - Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

By Jeremy Harness

October 30, 2005
 
 



The autumn wind brings the crisp chill that sweeps across the confines of Heinz Field. For it is here that these two clubs intermingle on in inter division rivalry as the Baltimore Ravens 2-4 look to improve on offense as well as their record against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 4-2 record.

For their hosts, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the celebration is more directed towards the return of their previously injured quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who dominated in their last victory over the AFC North first place Cincinnati Bengals.

For this upcoming Monday Night is a night to show case such, as the spot light will shine brightly for the Steelers at home as they are heavily favored in this match up on the national stage, and for the Baltimore Ravens, injuries and just having tough luck is something they'll have to switch up on and put it in gear when the flip of the coin has decided which side of the ball the Ravens will work from at kickoff.

This game is not evenly matched at all the Steelers are really good and the only way the Steelers are matched with the Ravens are on defense. The offense of the Steelers are good with Jerome Bettis and Roethlisberger and the Ravens offense is rated one of the worst in the league and that's why the Ravens have a 2-4 record right now.

As far as records and results and things like that they couldn't be anymore opposite. Unlike this year they have an offense that could put the ball in the end zone a couple of times a game but the defense has got tired of carrying that team.

The Ravens defense has carried the team to the Super Bowl when the Ravens went the last time but this year this is a totally different situation and the Ravens don't have an offense that could do much of anything. Ravens quarterback Kyle Bowler hasn't proven anything as the Ravens used for him.

Then there's the Ravens, Jamal Lewis nobody knows what happened to him he's was recovering for a couple months during the off season after having surgery and Lewis didn't have the proper rehabilitation and the Ravens are really looking for Chester Taylor to kind of break out so this could be the end of the Lewis era in Baltimore.

The production hasn't been there for two years now for Baltimore and they have to find a jump start somewhere whether it be a wide receiver or a running back maybe Chester could bring something fresh and new to the offense that the Ravens really need because what the Ravens are doing right now obviously isn't working.

The Ravens 10-6 loss last week to the Bears was not notable and let’s just says the Bears are not a playoff team by any stretch of the imagination nor is any team in the AFC North for that matter but someone will end up going to post season.

The Ravens are 2-4 and the defense will still play pretty well other than that the debacle in Detroit the defense has really held onto to their end of the bargain the offense really hasn't held onto to theirs and that's what causing the team to stumble.

For the Steelers they had a great win against the Bengals and the Steelers really came through a really good Bengals team and the Steelers got their top player back in Roethlisberger who sat our for the Jacksonville game lets just say it was pretty noticeable that he was not playing and the Steelers are thankful to have Roethlisberger back in the saddle.

Roethlisberger may not have the gaudiest of numbers for a quarterback but he puts wins on the scoreboard, and on the other side it will be the Pittsburgh defense that is just going put wins on the scoreboard and all they need Roethlisberger to do is just navigate their offense and put a few points on the board and put a little crush on the defense and that's what he does.

The Steelers are on the right track if that win against the Bengals isn't a clear indication that there not on the right track I don't know what is because lets face it the Bengals that's the same Bengals team that was there three years ago like when they went 1-15 so the Bengals who are in first place going into week 7 can play some ball right now.

The Steelers are determined team and their experienced team and the Steelers know how to win. Its pretty wide open right now the AFC North isn’t no joke, you got the Steelers and the Bengals and don't forget about the Ravens just yet if the Ravens defense gets hot and if their offense can get some points on the board if they can break out of they're funk the Ravens could actually take both of those teams if they play their cards right.

J-Dogg's Prediction: In this one the Doggma gives it up to the Dogg's of Pittsburgh 13-7 it'll be a low scoring game and you can’t expect to be a high scoring game with these two teams. The offense is not that good on either squad for a high scoring game so the Doggma is staying with 13-7.

Join Jeremy Harness for his preview of the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots next Monday Night football. Catch J-Dogg screaming "are you ready for some football" on Sportstalk on 1430 KVVN San Jose and 1110 KLIB Sacramento.

 

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