How much better are the Ravens than Pgh?

[lloydroid]

Consider:

- We went 1-1 against them.
- We barely lost to them with a back up QB who literally could not throw.
- We beat them with a 38-year-old, 3rd-string QB.

That being said, at the time we played them, both times, they were in a slump. Didn't they lose like 4 out of 5 in that stretch? They lost to Wash (play off team), Denver (play off team) and Cinci (play off team).

I think, when it comes down to it, Ray Lewis' retirement announcement did what it was designed to do: It inspired them to really give lights out effort. Keisel said he thinks it was similar to the 2005 season with the team playing for Bettis.

Bottom line: Balt. and Pgh's D are pretty equal. Their receivers were a tad better than Pgh's this year (with Wallace's lack of effort and bad attitude spoiling the team) and they definitely had a better rushing game, with Ray Rice and their OL being better than anything we could field. (Balt. 11th over all in rushing with a 4.3 apc and Pgh being 26th, 3.7 apc - LAME).

Right now, Flacco is playing better then Ben did at season's end, no doubt. But over all, I'd say the QB spot is about even.

However, even though it seems we aren't that far from being as good as Balt. our team is going to have a lot more losses with our players than they will. It seems likely that we will be looking up to them next year.

[SidSmythe]

There is a fine line for this stuff in the NFL.
the Ravens were looking pretty average mid season and then started hitting stride toward the end just in time.
I think the team has stepped up at the time we stepped down.
They also overcame some big injuries and Flacco is playing well.
They're better but not by much.

[lloydroid]

There is a fine line for this stuff in the NFL.
the Ravens were looking pretty average mid season and then started hitting stride toward the end just in time.
I think the team has stepped up at the time we stepped down.
They also overcame some big injuries and Flacco is playing well.
They're better but not by much.

There is a fine line, without question. It's all about getting hot at the right time like we did in 2005 and 2008, but we did the opposite this year, while Balt. got hot right when they needed to.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Ravens are in the Super Bowl...Steelers are at home watching. 'Nuff said.

[lloydroid]

Ravens are in the Super Bowl...Steelers are at home watching. 'Nuff said.

That wasn't the point; the point was to what degree is Balt. better. And that is relevant in determining how far we have to climb in order to beat them. MORE said.

[Captain Lemming]

That wasn't the point; the point was to what degree is Balt. better. And that is relevant in determining how far we have to climb in order to beat them. MORE said.

The ravens are clearly better in one category. Run game, both because of the RBs and oline.

That is what separates them from us.

Given a Raven caliber run game the Ravens could not play with us, and we would dominate this league.

[NW Steeler]

What he ^^ said. But, I agree that talent-wise the teams are close, and that bears out in the head to head games. They had the mojo this year, we didnt.

[NorthCoast]

If you take the time to go back and look, the Ravens entire post-season came down to just a few plays during the season. If SD can figure out how to stop a RB on 4th & 29, if Dallas could figure out how to kick of field goal at the buzzer, if KC can figure out how to stop a 3rd & 15...

I know, a lot of 'ifs', but the Ravens games were very much like the Steelers... many coming down to just a few clutch plays. The more you look, the more you would agree that at clutch time THIS SEASON, Flacco>Ben.

[Steel Life]

If you take the time to go back and look, the Ravens entire post-season came down to just a few plays during the season. If SD can figure out how to stop a RB on 4th & 29, if Dallas could figure out how to kick of field goal at the buzzer, if KC can figure out how to stop a 3rd & 15...


I know, a lot of 'ifs', but the Ravens games were very much like the Steelers... many coming down to just a few clutch plays. The more you look, the more you would agree that at clutch time THIS SEASON, Flacco>Ben.

Agree with the first part of your answer, not so much with the second. The bounces didn't go our way this year while they certainly did for the Ravens. As for your comparison of the QBs...I couldn't disagree more - Flacco is not better than Ben except for staying injury-free. What he is, is that he's the streakiest QB in the league as evidenced by both his good play in the post-season & the fact he was at the helm during a late-season swoon that almost had the Ravens miss the playoffs. That doesn't even take into account that Flacco put up four of the worst QB ratings this season - hardly elite, but he's in the big game & the media will be eager to crown him elite if they win. Also, don't discount the fact that Flacco benefits from having Ray Rice which forces defenses to play honest - what did the Steelers have this year in that department? Lastly, despite how the season ended, remember that Ben was being hailed as a MVP candidate whereas Flacco is second-fiddle on his own team to the aforementioned Rice.

[lloydroid]

Agree with the first part of your answer, not so much with the second. The bounces didn't go our way this year while they certainly did for the Ravens. As for your comparison of the QBs...I couldn't disagree more - Flacco is not better than Ben except for staying injury-free. What he is, is that he's the streakiest QB in the league as evidenced by both his good play in the post-season & the fact he was at the helm during a late-season swoon that almost had the Ravens miss the playoffs. That doesn't even take into account that Flacco put up four of the worst QB ratings this season - hardly elite, but he's in the big game & the media will be eager to crown him elite if they win. Also, don't discount the fact that Flacco benefits from having Ray Rice which forces defenses to play honest - what did the Steelers have this year in that department? Lastly, despite how the season ended, remember that Ben was being hailed as a MVP candidate whereas Flacco is second-fiddle on his own team to the aforementioned Rice.

Flacco has a QB rating of 114 in the post season and threw 8 TDs and zero pics. He is smokin'.

Ben has not been clutch since he lost the SB to GB. He wasn't clutch then and he hasn't been clutch since.