[statnerds]

Real fukkin simple here. Ravens will be stacking the box with 8 guys every first down play for Pittsburgh. Ravens have no one that can cover Wallace one on one. If Steelers come out throwing early and often, they will fukkin pound the Ravens. You can not over-estimate the importance of a bye week. Ben will have Miller all day against this defense.

On the first offensive play of the game for the Steelers you see less than 3 WRs on the field, they are fukked. If they run the ball on first down more than 50% of the time today, they are fukked.

Arians is easily the worst OC in the NFL.

Ravens only chance is to come out throwing as well. Their O-line cannot handle the blitz packages they will see today and if Birk plays, no where near 100%. He cannot handle Hampton 1-on-1.

Pit 27
Bal 16

[Jimmy Proffett]

Very accurate assessment. Arians is pretty much the definition of "clueless"; I'd also like to see some no-huddle early out of the Steelers, let Ben make the decisions. Something similar to their Super Bowl XL run where they came out firing the 1st drive every playoff series, which worked remarkably well.

[C-Gold]

Good point about 1st downs...

Most teams run on 1st down
So when defenses know the odds are against them they bring another guy down in support ON FIRST DOWN ( not all the time)
This puts less risk to give up 4 yards, but more risk to give up 40 on a deep throw

Good smart QB's often change out of plays on 1st down, audible from a run to a throw when the odds are in their favor... a guy like Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning. QB's that can't audible or aren't allowed to put their team at a disadvantage. Playing quarterback isn't all about executing the play that's called, it's about reading the defense and calling the right play... not execution... calling it can often be just as important to the outcome.

I agree with thee
First downs will be key
When the Ravens stack the Box
Ben's gotta throw the rock

[statnerds]

Dead on Jimmy Jam. They move the ball best in the spread, hurry-up offense when Ben is calling the plays.

How many OCs win a Superbowl and don't even get mentioned for a HC interview? Not job, just an interview.

Facing a team like Baltimore, with a questionable offensive line, you have to avoid obvious passing situations. Also, you might want to throw more than 1 screen pass every 400 offensive plays.

His biggest fault is his lack of understanding game situations. You don't try screen plays on 1st and 10. That shit is for 3rd and 8.

[statnerds]

Run

They are fukked

And obviously the refs want the Ravens to win.

Ravens will win.

[vyomguy]

...make it 0-13.

[statnerds]

...make it 0-13.

Pretty sure my Over bet is looking very, very solid at the moment.

Let's recap that Ravens' TD drive.

Woodley tackled blitzing off the edge, no call.

Willis brought down 2 yards short of a 1st, but got the spot of a lifetime.

Pass interference on a ball Mason would have never gotten to.

So much for the players deciding anything in this one.

[statnerds]

Suggs to Ben's knees, no call.

Suggs to Ben's head, no call.

[pavyracer]

Suggs to Ben's knees, no call.

Suggs to Ben's head, no call.

We are playing football here and not basketball.