Ravens tonight -- as close to must-win as it gets
* Import of game. Division lead in AFC North. A win ties the Ravens for the lead with Pittsburgh and Cleveland, all three would be 5-3. A loss puts Baltimore in a real bad spot not only for the division but for a wild card. A 4-4 record certainly doesn't eliminate the Ravens from contention but it would make them 1-4 in the conference, a nightmare when you start figuring tie-breaker possibilities. And the Colts and the Patriots are down the road.
* Big plus for Ravens. Offense is intact again, especially the offensive line. McNair has had three weeks to rest. Todd Heap is back.
* Main concern for Ravens -- cornerback. Samari Rolle, who has been out for much of the season, didn't make the trip to Pittsburgh. Chris McAlister (knee) has been listed as doubtful. If McAlister doesn't play, the Ravens are in a real fix in the nickel.
* The Steelers haven't lost a home game on Monday night in more than 16 years and are 3-0 at home this season.
* Steve McNair is 11-4 lifetime against Pittsburgh.
* Last year, Steelers RB Willie Parker rushed for just 50 yards on 23 total carries. QB Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 12 times and threw four interceptions in the two games.
Photo credit: Orlin Wagner/AP
Comments
McNair lacks focus and tries too hard in nationally televised games. 1 TD/ 6 INT/ 5 FUMBLES.
Add a suspect o-line, bad weather, no Heap, Wilcox, McAlister, Rolle... it'll get ugly fast.
You think the Steelers remember when the Ravens beat them up last year? You bet. Steelers roll.
Posted by: Chris Columbia, Md | November 5, 2007 4:30 PM
I agree totally, this is a MUST win game. There is no way the Ravens can go to 1-4 in the conference, 0-3 in the division, and expect to even get a wild card, it just won't happen. It's going to be a tough game for the Ravens to pull out, especially given how they have so much trouble getting it done on a national stage.
Posted by: steve | November 5, 2007 4:31 PM
the Ravens secondary is in a whirl of trouble tonight.
Posted by: california j | November 5, 2007 4:52 PM
Actually,
A loss would put them at 1-3. Still, not a good deficit to be in. Cleveland could easily finish with a better record, and possibly grab a wildcard!!
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Thanks for writing. But to clarify, the loss makes them 1-4 in the conference ... Cincinnati, Cleveland, Buffalo and now Pittsburgh. But the point about the wildcard is the same.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: BigPerm | November 5, 2007 6:22 PM
Brian Billick will be fired before years end.
Posted by: God of Rock | November 5, 2007 9:27 PM
this game is a joke just like the o,s pathtic well i moved to fla 10 years ago from md im done with it the worst teams in sports or i should say the worst run teams i give up i was a fan all my life now im done
Posted by: roadglide | November 5, 2007 9:27 PM
I'm in Houston,TX and I'm a Ravens fan. I really do believe that McNair's time is up, Billick needs to fire himself from being the offensive coordinator, and most importantly: THE RAVENS NEED SOME BETTER WIDE RECEIVERS!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: marshalljo | November 6, 2007 1:01 AM