Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger had a 100.7 passer rating, no turnovers and was sacked just three times in 77 attempts over two games against the Ravens last season. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) at Baltimore Ravens (0-1)
Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
*Keys to the game: The Ravens’ bubble could burst two weeks into the regular season, and that’s factoring only on-field problems. A win and the 10-day gap between games to follow would be a welcome salve. Beating the Steelers will require more pressure, and better coverage, from the nickel defense the Cincinnati Bengals picked apart in the opener. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger had a 100.7 passer rating, no turnovers and was sacked just three times in 77 attempts over two games against the Ravens last season. To make matters worse, Baltimore couldn’t slow down RB Le’Veon Bell in 2013, which opens Todd Haley’s playbook and helps the coordinator operate at the frenzied pace he prefers.
Baltimore aired it out 62 times in last week’s loss and minus a bell-cow back, will rotate Justin Forsett and Bernard Pierce in a veiled effort to keep the Steelers’ back seven guessing. QB Joe Flacco’s two biggest advantages are outside with TE Dennis Pitta flexed out and vertical threat Torrey Smith getting favorable matchups opposite Steve Smith. Torrey Smith had 41- and 54-yard receptions against Pittsburgh’s Ike Taylor last season.
*Matchup to watch – Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs vs. Steelers OTs Kelvin Beachum and Marcus Gilbert: Gilbert signed a new deal in the offseason and then gave up two sacks in the opener to the Bengals’ Paul Kruger. Suggs moves all over the place and has a history of dominating in this series.
*Player spotlight – Ravens TE Dennis Pitta: He led the team with 10 receptions last week and receiving tight ends tend to be the kryptonite for the zone-dog blitz of the Steelers. Cleveland’s Jordan Cameron beat Timmons for a 47-yard reception on the Browns’ first series last week before leaving with a shoulder injury.
*Fast facts: Flacco has thrown only one interception in the past seven meetings since Oct. 2010. … The past five games in the series have been decided by three points or less.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
There has been little rest for the Ravens in three hectic days since losing their season opener. The Steelers can be exploited but bring the balance to control the ball and build an early two-game edge over Baltimore in the AFC North.
*Our pick: Steelers 22-17
