NFL Week 9 Sunday Night Football Schedule & Predictions: Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers [Poll]
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens will play each other on Sunday night in Week 9.
These two teams represent one of the most fierce rivalries in the National Football League. The Ravens and Steelers are both tied with the identical records, and the AFC North division has been a tough race this entire season. This game promises to be a hard hitting old school football game.
Let's see who has the edge.
Baltimore Ravens (5-3)
The Baltimore Ravens are 5-3 after eight games of play with losses to the Indianapolis Colts and two losses to the Cincinnati Bengals. Getting swept against the Bengals isn't the kind of start the Ravens wanted, but they can rebound by sweeping the Steelers on Sunday night.
Wide receiver Steve Smith has proven to be one of the best additions of the offseason. The 35-year-old wide receiver has a team leading 41 receptions, 675 yards and four touchdowns. Torrey Smith is second on the team with just 308 yards through the air. Quarterback Joe Flacco is having a productive but inconsistent season with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions so far.
Even without Ray Rice, this team is getting the job done on the ground. The Ravens rank No. 8 in team rushing thanks to Justin Forsett and his 571 yards. This Ravens team isn't the elite defensive squad that was once led by Ray Lewis, but they rank second in points against with just 16.4. Only the Detroit Lions are allowing are allowing fewer points per game.
Unfortunately for the Ravens, penalties have been an issue.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)
The Steelers appear to be finally hitting their groove. After alternating wins and losses every week until Week 7, the Steelers have won their last two games. Last week Ben Roethlisberger had one of the best games of his career with 522 passing yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions. Roethlisberger has 16 touchdowns this season with a career best 105 passer rating.
Wide receiver Antonio Brown is having an incredible year with 852 yards and seven touchdowns so far. Despite being just 5-foot-10, Brown is playing like an MVP candidate this season. Remarkably, Brown has at least five catches and 80 yards in every single game this season. Not to mention, Brown even has 142 punt return yards this year.
Usually we see the Steelers have an elite defense, but the times have changed in Pittsburgh. This Pittsburgh team has the No. 3 ranked offense and the No. 16 ranked defense in the league. Many Steelers fans don't like the change of culture, but it is what it is. Running back Le'Veon Bell has been fantastic this season with 691 rushing yards and a 4.9 yards per carry average.
Head coach Mike Tomlin is known for his trickery and deep ball passing schemes.
Schedule, Where to Watch
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens will play each other on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 8:30 p.m. EST at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The game will be shown on NBC. You can view a live game stream here.
Prediction
Both teams are 5-3, and they know this game is crucial. The Steelers were absolutely embarrassed in their first meeting against the Ravens in Week 2, 26-6. This game will be in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers should be able to pick up a win thanks to Roethlisberger and Brown. The Ravens will put up a fight but fall short.
Steelers win 23-17
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