Thursday, September 11th
8:25 pm ET @ M&T Bank Field (CBS/NFLN)
The Ravens will be more than happy to get back in action after what has turned out to be a tumultuous week for the organization. From a purely footballing standpoint, the organization has to move on from Ray Rice and his former teammates will have to focus on coming through on the field. The most pressing question will be who will step up to replace Rice in the backfield, and the answer has yet to reveal itself in full. Bernard Pierce was disappointing and ultimately benched after an early fumble against the Bengals, and Justin Forsett capitalized on the opportunity, going 11-70-1. A running back by committee approach is likely, and John Harbaugh will be keeping an eye out for the hot hand. Joe Flacco was ineffective in the first half last week and showed poor decision making and clock management, but turned it around in the 2nd half despite the loss. The two Smiths, Steve and Torrey combined for 6 drops in week 1, and that will be something they will both look to remedy against a defense that gave up almost 400 yards to the Browns. Defensively, the Ravens showed a stout effort in forcing the Bengals to go 4-14 on 3rd downs, but will still need to find a way to force more pressure on opposing QBs.
Pittsburgh built up a huge 24-point lead on Cleveland in the first half last week and could not really have asked for a better half to open the season with. Their second half effort is what Mike Tomlin will have cause to be concerned about, as Brian Hoyer and the Browns picked them apart and almost pulled off the comeback. Ben Roethlisberger rolled back the years with a personal-best 278 yards in the first half, and finished with 365 through the air. Antonio Brown (when he’s not trying to karate kick punters) and rookie Markus Wheaton will give opposing defensive backs nightmares all season if Roethlisberger is able to maintain this form. On the rushing die, with the passing game clicking as it was, Le’Veon Bell also had the luxury of plenty of running lanes opened up for him. Dick LaBeau will have spent plenty of time watching game film from week 1 with his defense to iron out the kinks from week 1, and given the history between these two rivals, fans would be right to expect plenty of physical play.
While week 1 did not end up with as many penalties as feared following the number of flags thrown for contact in defensive backfields during the preseason, there is a chance that this game will see plenty of penalties, between fiery WRs, aggressive defenses, and the rivalry factor.
Fantasy Notes
Start ’em: Justin Forsett, Dennis Pitta, Steve Smith, Torrey Smith, Le’Veon Bell, Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton
Sit ’em: Baltimore defense, Joe Flacco, LeGarrette Blount
Prediction: Pittsburgh takes an early lead, Baltimore comes back strong, but the Steelers’ better running game will seal the win.
Final Score: Pittsburgh 27 – Baltimore 20
(Featured image: AP/Don Wright)