Expect A Different Game Sunday

[NorthCoast]

Baltimore is 2nd in the NFL in scoring defense and #1 in redzone scoring defense. And yet curiously they are middle of the pack in # of sacks per game and #22 in opponent completion percentage allowing almost 64% of passes completed. So is it smoke and mirrors or is it opportunistic defense like the Steelers showed against Indy?

[Discipline of Steel]

It just means we have to score our TDs from outside the 20?

[fezziwig]

When two teams know each other so well, who knows what can happen. To me, Harbaugh really gets up for the Steelers and so do the Ravens. I think our young players don't have the whole rivalry thing brewing in their blood yet but, I think this Sunday it will be different.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

Ngata makes that defense go. Seems to have a hand in every big play they make. Fantastic football player.

Looking forward to see how interior OL matches up. Neutralize him and chances of winning go WAY up

[fezziwig]

Putting pressure on Flacco would be a tremendous help too.

[WindyCitySteel]

I'd expect a different game if we played Oakland. That's the first time the Steelers have scored 50+ since 1984.

I'll settle for a win.

[AxnJxn]

Putting pressure on Flacco would be a tremendous help too.

Especially since we didn't touch him at all in the first game. Flacco can be rattled pretty easily, but if you let him stand back there all day, it's going to be a long one.

Their secondary is a mess right now - Jimmy Smith is out, Webb isn't playing very well, and Elam has struggled, too. If the O line can give Ben time, that is the area of the Baltimore defense that can be exploited.

[Oviedo]

Putting pressure on Flacco would be a tremendous help too.

That is the key. This has to be the priority maybe even more than the pressure we put on Luck. Pressure does effect Flacco as the past has demonstrated.

[RobinCole]

As if any more proof were needed, the Redskins showed last night that it's best to expect the unexpected.

[feltdizz]

As if any more proof were needed, the Redskins showed last night that it's best to expect the unexpected.

Redskins secondary played lights out last night...

They also blitzed like crazy

[hawaiiansteel]

by Jim Wexell

SHAMARKO, MCLENDON BACK

Reserve safety/punt gunner Shamarko Thomas will return after missing three games with a hamstring injury. The man who replaced him, Ross Ventrone, has been ruled out this week with, yep, a hamstring injury.

Tomlin also believes that nose tackle Steve McLendon will return from a shoulder injury this week. Cam Thomas and rookie Daniel McCullers played nose tackle the last two games in McLendon's place.

[URL]http://pit.scout.com/story/1474087-adams-arrow-pointing-up?s=68[/URL]

[NorthCoast]

Redskins secondary played lights out last night...

They also blitzed like crazy

Took big risk playing Cover 0 on most 3rd downs. OK if it works, but can lead to easy TDs for the opponent. Outside of Bryant, not sure they had the WR horses to make Redskins pay. The Steelers, on the other hand, should be able to shred the Ravens defense.

[RuthlessBurgher]

The DB's will need to play a very disciplined game on Sunday night. I'd say that a big part of Flacco's game is just throwing the ball up for grabs and praying for pass interference calls, so we need to do whatever we can to cut down on these ticky-tack illegal contact and defensive holding calls that come with a free first down for the opposing offense (at leaset somewhat...I know it is virtually impossible in this new flag-happy "points of emphasis" league to eliminate these infractions completely).