Two bitter AFC North Division rivals will square off in primetime on Sunday night when the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens. This game has huge playoff implications as the Steelers, at 6-4, are one game behind the division leading Cincinnati Bengals. Baltimore is likely battling for a Wild Card spot as they are just 5-5 straight up this season. These teams met three times last year with Pittsburgh winning all three including the AFC Championship Game 23-14.

Most off-shore sports books have yet to post a line on this game due to the fact that Pittsburgh will be without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and also his backup Charlie Batch. The few books that have posted a line have made the Ravens two-point home favorites. As far as the Pittsburgh quarterback situation goes, Dennis Dixon, the former Oregon standout, is expected to get the nod for the Steelers. Unfortunately, the injury news doesn’t stop there for Pittsburgh as Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu will also miss this game for the Steelers which is a big loss for their defense.

Baltimore meanwhile has some injury concerns of their own. Linebacker Terrell Suggs is out and both linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed are listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game. The Baltimore defense has been solid in 2009 but not nearly as dominant as it was a year ago. If Reed and Lewis can’t play, they could struggle because they are two big time playmakers. Baltimore is getting a break however with Pittsburgh having to play their third string quarterback so the injuries might cancel each other out. Pittsburgh will likely try to run the ball with Rashard Mendenhall to take the pressure off their young quarterback. However, this Baltimore defense is only giving up 92 yards rushing per game. Expect them to stick with their attacking style of defense that includes a lot of blitzes and many different looks to confuse Dennis Dixon.

Baltimore is a very balanced team on offense. QB Joe Flacco has had a nice year thus far and I look for him to try and exploit the Pittsburgh secondary because Troy Polamalu won’t be back there roaming from sideline to sideline making plays. Baltimore is averaging 233 yards per game through the air and 116 yards per game rushing. They will try to get Ray Rice going but this Pittsburgh defense is one of the best rush defenses in the NFL, allowing just 69 yards per game. Pittsburgh is certainly going to try and make Joe Flacco beat them throwing the ball. They can’t let Ray Rice run loose or else they will be in big trouble as Flacco has the capability to throw the ball down field on play action passes. The key for Pittsburgh will be to make the Ravens one dimensional.

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