Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 4 Prediction

Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison (92) defends in the second quarter during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

This doesn’t quite feel like the rivalry it once was. Injuries are certainly playing a part, but the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens know the stakes of this game. It could mean the difference between playoff contention and top 10 pick contention. So who gets the crucial win on Thursday night?

Injuries

Ben Roethlisberger out for foreseeable future

Pittsburgh doesn’t have the defense to carry the team like it did for so many years. That job had fallen to star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, something he was doing a great job of. Now the team must try to figure out who they really are as the 33-year old goes on the shelf for possibly a month or longer with a knee injury suffered in St. Louis.

Crockett Gilmore won’t play due to calf

As if the Ravens offense didn’t have enough problems, another one of their young weapons in the passing attack isn’t going to play. Tight end Crockett Gilmore is dealing with a calf problem. It’s a shame since he started the season so well with 10 catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Baltimore must try and adapt.

Key Matchups

C.J. Mosley vs. Michael Vick

The key to containing a player like Vick, who is known for his rare speed as a quarterback, is having a spy on him at all times who can track and chase him down. That will likely be the responsibility of Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosely. He’s the man in the middle and has the most athleticism to take on that job.

William Gay vs. Steve Smith Sr.

A week after torching the Cincinnati Bengals, ageless receiver Steve Smith Sr. is certain to have the full attention of the Steelers secondary since he is the only viable target the Ravens have at the moment. Cornerback William Gay will draw several of the assignments for covering him, and history shows that is a role of the dice.

Fantasy

Sit: Joe Flacco

The Steelers know they can stop the run and everyone knows the Ravens can’t run it. Not like they did last year. That stands to reason the Steelers are going to put their primary focus on harassing Joe Flacco since he’s pretty much been the Baltimore offense. If he gets put under pressure, which he has often lately, then Pittsburgh should be able to bottle him up with the home crowd behind them.

Start: Markus Wheaton

Michael Vick is not Roethlisberger and won’t operate the same way. His game has always been about using his legs and that big arm to make plays. That means he’ll likely try to chuck it a few times down the field, and with Antonio Brown certain to draw the heavy coverage, it will be Markus Wheaton he’ll want to look for. The second-year receiver is averaging over 19 yards per catch for the season.

Prediction: Ravens win 26-19

Though they have home field and lots of talent on offense, the key triggerman is missing for the Steelers. One of the major things about predictions is often going with who has the better quarterback. Despite their record, the Ravens still have Joe Flacco. He’ll do just enough to get his team out of the winless column.

Next: 2016 NFL Mock Draft: Creating Quarterback Controversies

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