Are the Baltimore Ravens a sure bet to win the game with the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 13?

I think if you look at the numbers the answer to that question is fairly simple, but this is football and the Steelers are planning to do what they can to win the game no matter how many fans or critics state otherwise. These two teams met in Pittsburgh just two weeks ago and the Ravens won that game 13 to 10.

This is a big rivalry and a big game. They are both in the AFC North division and the Steelers would like nothing more than to take home a division win against their biggest rival and competition in the division.

With quarterback Ben Roethlisberger still out for injury to his right shoulder, they will have to look at Charlie Batch to take his place as the starting quarterback. It’s no secret that the Steelers do not have a top ranked offense, but if you look at Batch’s numbers from last week he threw 20 for 34 for 58%.

His biggest problem last week was he lacked a bit of consistency and was unable to complete any touchdown passes. If he can improve that slightly they could do better on the offense.

Where Pittsburgh really shines is their defense. They are ranked number one in defense and in their game two weeks ago they did a fair job of getting the ball back in to then quarterback Byron Leftwich, but Leftwich was sacked 3 times and did not do well converting on 3rd downs. With Batch as quarterback it may have different results.

I look for the Ravens to get a few surprises coming from the Steelers defense. I like a lot of the Steelers players on the defense but if I had to pick a few players the most likely to have a big game and make some big plays would be Larry Foote and Keenan Lewis. Clark has 19 assists this year and has forced two fumbles, one of them in the game two weeks against the Ravens.

Are you saying you think the Steelers will beat the Ravens?

No, I wish i could pick the Steelers since they are the underdog, but I just can’t. Unless Batch can be consistent from the very beginning of the game and get that first drive or two down the field well to gain some momentum then they will face quite a battle.

If you look at their game 2 weeks ago it was a hard fought game and was decided by a field goal at the end of the game. The kind of rivalry this game is I am sure that the Steelers will make the Ravens fight for every yard on Sunday.

But I honestly think that Baltimore will gain more yards then they did in their previous meeting. If their line can protect him a littler better and give him more time I think Flacco will do a better job of finding the right receivers and making the completions.

And even though the Ravens do not have the #1 offense, in fact their offense is ranked at 16 and their passing is ranked 11 they are still have one of the best records this year. They make the plays when they need to and they make the big plays at times throughout the game that can turn things around for them and they are winning games.

Yes I do think the Ravens will win on Sunday and although the line is at 9.5 I think that they have the juice and momentum to make that spread. I know to some that 9 and a half points seems kind of pushing it and you could take the points if you have the faith in Batch and the Steelers defense, I just think the way the Ravens are rolling they are ready to beat the Steelers for the second time in two weeks.

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