Open the history books and get ready to add another chapter to one of the best rivalries in the NFL. Baltimore and Pittsburgh are meeting for the twelfth time since 2000 for AFC supremacy and it happens on Christmas Day. Six out of the last seven meetings have gone to Baltimore including earlier this year. The Steelers have more AFC North titles since 2000, at seven, with Baltimore owning just four titles in that span. Both teams are relatively healthy, which means this clash of North super powers should be one for the ages. If you are looking at both teams' paths to this point since their last meeting, the cards have to be leaning to the Steelers, what do you think? Who are you rooting for?
“A lot of guys are treating these games like the playoffs already started”. That's what Steeler linebacker Ryan Shazier had to say, following Pittsburghs 24-20 victory eliminating the defending AFC North champion, Cincinnati Bengals, this past Sunday. The Ravens come in sneaking out of last Sunday with a 27-26 win over the Eagles. Setting the stage for these two giants to clash, for the Steelers they would love to win, clinching both the playoffs and fifth AFC North title, under head coach Mike Tomlin. For the Ravens, it's a chance to extend their winning streak to six games, a streak that dates back to Thanksgiving day 2013. Ravens saftey Eric Weddle said of the upcoming game against Pittsburgh “this is what we live for, it's all the hours, sacrifice and time for a chance to win the division and get into the dance.” If the Ravens want to come out of Pittsburgh Sunday with a win, they will have to contain Le’veon Bell and that means the Steeler's offensive line. A task the Ravens were up for in the first meeting between the two teams back in November.
Here's what the Christmas Day game holds in the balance, for the Steelers it's an easy win, and they are the AFC North champions and more than likely the third seed going into the playoffs. The Ravens have a bit of a tougher path, they will have to win this week and next week against the Cincinnati Bengals to win the AFC North title and get into the playoffs. Jim Harbaugh said to win the Ravens will “need to play complete defense” as an old football coach of mine said “you have to get 11 hats to the ball if you want to win” meaning it has to be everyone on defense flying to the ball. This was the case for Baltimore in the first game between the two back on November 6th. The Ravens held Bell to his season low only 57 total yards on the day, but the Ravens will have to stop a guy who, just two weeks ago, had three touchdowns, a franchise single game record of 236 against Buffalo. Baltimore has had Bell's number in four of the six games he's played against them limiting the phenom back to less than 75 yards in those games. For both come in healthy for the most part.
The Steelers have two big question marks on the injury wire: Ladarius Green left Sunday's game against the Bengals after taking a hit in the fourth quarter, he will need to complete all of the NFLs concussion protocol before a determination can be made on his playing status. The other big name on the injury report is Stephon Tuitt, who left Sunday's game after the first series with a knee injury. It's still early on in the week to have a decision made on either of these guys, but if you are Todd Haley and the offense, Green is someone that could be a huge factor in this game. The tight end has come into his own as a Steeler since coming off the Physically Unable to Prefrom list. Tuitt is the third Defesive tackle to go down for the Steelers. If the Steelers could get Javon Hargrave back from the concussion protocol the Steelers will be in good shape.
Three big questions for both teams, first for the Ravens: Can they stop the run? Can they contain Antonio Brown and the rest of the receiving core? Which Joe Flacco shows up for the Ravens? For the Steelers: Can they establish the run game early? Can they play a complete football game? Can the Steelers avoid get to emotional and play with out commuting costly penalties? The stage is set for another instant classic between these two powers. Christmas Day in Pittsburgh kickoff is at 4:30 wether in front of the tv or going to the game, this is not a game you want to miss. Who do you think will win? Is this the best rivalry in football right now? Is there anything better than December football in the AFC North?
Written by:
Carlo Guadagnino
Twitter: @TheDINGOhimself
Edited by:
Alaina Roberts
Daniel Bishop M.A.
Alaina Roberts
Daniel Bishop M.A.
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