PLAYER NOTES
–QB Ben Roethlisberger did not practice Wednesday, but it had nothing to do with the fractured (left) index finger that he suffered during the Browns game. Roethlisberger takes most Wednesdays off. The finger was not an issue when he played in the second half with it against the Browns and head coach Mike Tomlin does not expect it to be an issue going forward.
–T Marcus Gilbert, who missed the Browns game with a knee injury, returned to practice Wednesday as a full participant.
–CB Coty Sensabaugh, who injured his foot in the Browns game, did not practice. Artie Burns, who did not play against the Browns, took reps with the starters.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RB James Conner. The second-year halfback has rushed for 100 yards and scored two touchdowns in each of the past three games, becoming the first player in franchise history to achieve such a feat. He is the first player in the NFL to achieve that since 2009 when Chris Johnson did it with the Titans.
GAME PLAN: During the Steelers’ three-game winning streak, running back James Conner has rushed for 100 yards and scored two touchdowns in each game. It’s simple for the Steelers. They’re at their best on offense when they have a balanced attack. In the first game against the Ravens, the Steelers fell behind by two touchdowns in the first quarter and abandoned the running game in favor of the pass. Conner was held to a season-low 19 yards and the Steelers were held to a season-low 14 points. They can’t afford to let that happen again. Conner has to be a big part of the game plan in the rematch. During the three-game winning streak, Roethlisberger has been much better taking care of the ball too. He has six touchdown passes and two interceptions in the past three games after throwing eight touchdowns and five interceptions in the first four games of the season.
The Steelers were hurt by big plays in the first meeting against the Ravens, but they’ve done a much better job of limiting those types of plays in recent games. John Brown caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco and had another 71-yard reception. The Steelers also have to find ways to create more turnovers. They have just nine in the first seven games. Flacco has been prone to bad decisions at times this season. He threw two interceptions in the 36-21 loss in Carolina Sunday afternoon and has thrown four of his six interceptions in the past four games, three of which have been losses for the Ravens.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Steelers CB Joe Haden vs. Ravens WR John Brown. Brown hurt the Steelers in the first matchup at Heinz Field. He had three receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. Haden has since shut down some of the game’s top receivers. He’ll take his shot against Brown, but it’s worth noting Haden is at his best guarding bigger receivers. Smaller and shiftier receivers such as Brown have given him problems over the years because it’s harder for him to get his hands on them.
–Steelers LT Alejandro Villanueva vs. Ravens LB Terrell Suggs. The Steelers have done a terrific job of protecting Ben Roethlisberger and Villanueva is a big reason why. He allowed one sack last week to Myles Garrett, but Garrett was a non-factor for the remainder of the game. Villanueva will have to keep up his strong play because Suggs remains a viable pass rusher in his 16th season. He has 5.5 sacks in the Ravens’ first eight games.
