Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco has envisioned starting a game at Heinz Field since he was a high school senior, but he never thought he’d have to wait until he was in the NFL.
When the Ravens take the field tonight in Pittsburgh, it will be a homecoming of sorts for their first-round draft pick, who signed a letter of intent to play for the University of Pittsburgh, which plays its home games at the same venue.
But Flacco, a highly recruited player out of Audubon (N.J.) High, never started a game at the stadium known for its mustard-colored seats, as he transferred to the University of Delaware in 2005.
Three years later, Flacco will be counted on to lead the Ravens to just their second 3-0 start in franchise history by defeating the Steelers (2-1) in a game in which the winner earns the inside track toward the AFC North title.
“Like I’ve said all along, the more experience I get, the more prepared I’ll be the next week. That will hold true throughout my whole career,” Flacco said. “I think any time you get a chance to play two home games before your first road game is Week 3 in Pittsburgh, it’s definitely a benefit.”
The Ravens are coming off a dominating, 28-10 win over Cleveland on Sept. 21, but the Steelers are trying to rebound from a 15-6 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles sacked the Steelers’ quarterbacks nine times, including eight on starter Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger’s availability tonight will be a game-time decision, but defensive tackle Casey Hampton (groin), running back Willie Parker (knee) and defensive end Brett Keisel (calf) are out with injuries. The Steelers have the league’s second-ranked defense, allowing just 234 yards per game.
Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said the reason his unit allows just a league-leading 161.5 yards per game is because it treats every opposing player the same whether he’s a Pro Bowler or a reserve, like rookie Rashard Mendenhall, who will start for Parker.
“Our focus really isn’t on who’s back there,” Ryan said. “The reason we’re good at stopping the run is because we focus on what we can affect — our fronts, our techniques, the way we get to the football, the way we attack blocking patterns. I think that’s our focus. The focus really isn’t on the opponent.”
The Ravens, however, also are dealing with injuries to several key players, as they’ll be without safety Dawan Landry (spinal concussion), defensive tackle Kelly Gregg (knee) and cornerback Samari Rolle (shoulder).
“Corey Ivy and Frank Walker have done an outstanding job,” Ryan said. “So we’re confident if Samari can’t go, in those two guys.”
The Ravens also don’t need any motivation to play well tonight. In their last trip to the Steel City, they allowed five first-half touchdown passes in a 38-7 loss. During one play, Pittsburgh receiver Hines Ward leveled the Ravens’ Bart Scott with a legal block, which prompted the linebacker to threaten to “kill” Ward.
“I’m going out there to try to win a football game,” Scott said. “All that other stuff is whatever.”
NOTES: Ravens running back Willis McGahee, who is suffering from a cut right eyelid, is expected to play tonight. Kicker Matt Stover is not concerned he’s missed two of his three field goals this season. “I consider myself a golfer out on the football field,” Stover said. “That requires a lot of familiarity with your swing and what are your habits when things don’t go well. You evaluate, stay on top of things and never get complacent.”
Ravens (2-0) vs. Steelers (2-1)
- When: Tonight, 8:30 p.m.
- Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
- TV/Radio: ESPN, WJZ/ 1090 AM, 97.9 FM
Link to depth chart:
Pittsburgh Steelers: www.nfl.com/teams/depthchart?team=PIT
Baltimore Ravens: www.nfl.com/teams/baltimoreravens/depthchart?team=BAL
Where they rank this year
RAVENS STEELERS
Avg. yards Rank Avg. yards Rank
Rush offense 190 2 Rush defense 64.3 2
Pass offense 125.5 30 Pass defense 169.7 9
Total Offense 315.5 19 Total defense 234 2
Where they rank this year
STEELERS RAVENS
Avg. yards Rank Avg. yards Rank
Rush offense 111 18 Rush defense 71.5 5
Pass offense 144.3 29 Pass defense 90 1
Total Offense 255.3 29 Total defense 161.5 1
THREE KEYS TO A RAVENS’ VICTORY
- Take care of the football. In the Ravens’ visit to Pittsburgh last year, they lost three fumbles in their own territory in the first quarter and threw an interception in the second quarter, which the Steelers converted into touchdowns in a 38-7 win. The Ravens, who are 56-3 since 2000 when they turn the ball over more often than the opposition, can’t afford to let rookie quarterback Joe Flacco to throw two interceptions like he did during a 28-10 win over the Browns last week.
- Get after Steelers QBs Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich. – Roethlisberger was sacked eight times in last week’s 15-6 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles. The fifth-year signal caller has been dealing with a sore shoulder and hand from the beating he has taken, and will likely need to carry an additional load on offense with running back Willie Parker out with a knee injury. Roethlisberger had a career-game against the Ravens in Pittsburgh last season when he threw for five touchdowns and 209 yards. The Ravens have six sacks this season after registering just 32 in 2007. If Roethlisberger is injured, the Ravens should be able to shutdown Leftwich, who has been waived twice in the past year.
- Dominate the line of scrimmage. – The Ravens have received solid production from their offensive and defensive lines this season. The offensive line has allowed just one sack this season, tied with the Broncos for the fewest in the NFL. Steelers quarterbacks have been sacked 13 times in three games. The Ravens should also be able to establish a running game since Pro Bowl defensive tackle Casey Hampton is out with a groin injury.
KEY MATCHUPS
DT HALOTI NGATA vs. RB RASHARD MENDENHALL
He has 10 tackles and anchors a defensive line that has allowed just 143 yards rushing.
Mendenhall is getting his first career start in place of an injured Willie Parker. He has just 28 yards on 10 carries.
CB CHRIS MCALISTER vs. WR SANTONIO HOLMES
He has 6 tackles, 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery. The Ravens are 17-5 when he has makes an interception.
He has 10 receptions for 145 yards this season. Last year against the Ravens in Pittsburgh, he had 4 catches for 110 yards and 2 TDs.
OT JARED GAITHER vs. LB JAMES HARRISON
He’s played a major role on an line that has allowed just one sack and led the league’s second-best rushing attack.
He has 19 tackles, a forced fumble and 3 sacks. Last year against the Ravens in Pittsburgh, he had 9 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
STATE OF THE TEAMS
The Ravens (2-0) are one of the early surprises in the NFL after convincing wins over the Bengals and Browns to take over first place in the AFC North. The team is doing it with an aggressive running game and a defense, which is once again ranked as the best in the league. The Ravens, however, have lost their past four games — and six of their past seven — on Monday night.
The Steelers (2-1) are reeling from a 15-6 loss last week at Philadelphia. With Pro Bowl RB Willie Parker and DT Casey Hampton out, the Steelers’ string of 14 straight home victories on Monday Night Football dating to 1991 could be in jeopardy.
THE EXAMINER PREDICTS …
A slugfest. The Ravens will wear down the Steelers with a suffocating defense and running attack. The Steelers have an advantage in the passing game, but they won’t find the end zone nearly as often as they did the in the Ravens’ visit last year.
RAVENS 13, STEELERS 9
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