Depot Roundtable: Week 11 Steelers Vs. Ravens Preview

Steelers-Ravens. It’s again to feeling prefer it did in it’s heyday coming into this Week 11 matchup at Acrisure Stadium.

Two of the highest groups within the AFC coming collectively in a pivotal conflict with AFC North management on the road. Each groups have offenses that may put up factors within the blink of a watch and have big-name quarterbacks which can be large tales this season.

What a sport that is shaping as much as be.

Right here at Steelers Depot, we’re doing one thing new this season. Whereas Alex Kozora and Dave Bryan give their in-depth breakdown and preview of the sport weekly on The Horrible Podcast, Joe Clark, Ross McCorkle, Scott Brown, Troy Montgomery, and I are doing a weekly roundtable, answering key questions forward of every sport.

As we speak, we look at the Steelers’ Week 11 matchup at Acrisure Stadium in opposition to the Ravens in AFC North soccer.

QUESTION 1: WHO IS THE STEELERS’ X FACTOR AGAINST THE RAVENS?

Josh Carney: LB Elandon Roberts. In a tone-setting sport like this one between the Steelers and Ravens, you want a tone-setter defensively, an ass-kicker, for a scarcity of higher phrases. That’s what Elandon Roberts is. He’s beginning to see increasingly enjoying time, and he’s rewarding the Steelers with it.

Roberts is a man that drags the Steelers into the battle bodily. They shouldn’t have points getting up for this sport, however they want that man in Roberts to paved the way from a bodily side. The Ravens are a power-running group, and having RB Derrick Henry within the combine makes it all of the extra necessary that the Steelers have that downhill hammer.

Joe Clark:  DL Cameron Heyward. Lamar Jackson goes to pose his issues, however the Steelers have been good in opposition to him prior to now. Jackson has been enjoying a few of the finest soccer of his profession although, and the rationale why is RB Derrick Henry. Henry is the NFL’s main rusher and he’s somebody who can take over this sport if the Steelers don’t gradual him down. Heyward goes to be key to limiting what Henry and the Ravens can do on the bottom, and the Steelers might want to pressure Jackson into attempting to create large performs himself. In the event that they try this, they need to be in fine condition.

Ross McCorkle: WR Mike Williams. The Ravens’ cross protection is so dangerous that DeShon Elliott brazenly talked down on it to Marlon Humphrey and he had no good response. If Williams performed 20-25 snaps, he might present the increase to the passing sport wanted to unencumber George Pickens. I wouldn’t be stunned if there was one other deep landing to Williams on this sport, both.

Scott Brown: Joey Porter Jr. – The Steelers don’t beat Baltimore in Pittsburgh final season with out his end-zone interception. The second-year CB appears wired for giant moments partially due to his DNA. The Steelers want him to seize headlines once more within the NFL’s finest rivalry (and never receivers like he did final Sunday in opposition to the Commanders).

Lamar Jackson is poised to win his third NFL MVP award shortly after he celebrates his 28^th birthday. That’s superb, which the Ravens QB has been this season. If the Steelers wish to keep away from getting right into a shootout with Mr. Jackson and Co, they want Porter to be at his lockdown finest.

Troy Montgomery: LB Patrick Queen. Who else might it’s? Queen hasn’t made a secret that he’s received a chip on his shoulder in the case of the Ravens. That private ingredient might be going to indicate up in an enormous approach this week. Queen hasn’t seemed like an All-Professional for a lot of this 12 months, however this week, he would possibly.

strictly what occurs on the sector too, Queen goes to be key. Final week, he had his finest sport as a Steeler, utilizing his velocity to fly across the area. He helped to restrict quarterback Jayden Daniels. Lamar Jackson is a distinct beast, however Queen goes to be requested to do related issues. If the Steelers gradual Jackson down, count on Queen to be an enormous motive why.

QUESTION 2: WHAT IS THE KEY MATCHUP TO WATCH IN STEELERS-RAVENS?

Josh Carney: RT Broderick Jones vs. OLB Kyle Van Noy. There’s quite a lot of focus — and rightfully so – on the Steelers’ protection in opposition to the Ravens’ offense coming into this matchup. However don’t neglect about Baltimore’s protection in opposition to Pittsburgh’s offense.

The Ravens’ cross protection isn’t all that good, however they do have some stout cross rushers that might have an effect on the sport of their favor in opposition to an explosive Steelers’ passing assault. The matchup to observe is veteran OLB Kyle Van Noy vs. RT Broderick Jones. Jones is coming off of his finest sport of the season during which he didn’t enable a single strain, whereas Van Noy is coming off of a efficiency in opposition to Cincinnati during which he racked up 9 pressures.

The Steelers can be smart to present Jones some assist on this one, simply to be secure. However when he finds himself one-on-one, Jones has to proceed to construct off of his robust play in Week 10. Massive take a look at for the second-year professional on Sunday.

Joe Clark: OLB T.J. Watt vs. OT Roger Rosengarten. T.J. Watt in opposition to a rookie deal with is the matchup that the Steelers need, and whereas Rosengarten has had an honest begin to his NFL profession, it’s a matchup Watt might make the most of. It’s virtually harder generally for Watt going up in opposition to rookies at instances although, as he has much less movie examine to go off, however he’s had success in opposition to youthful offensive tackles earlier than and it wouldn’t be a shock if he can do it in opposition to Rosengarten and preserve Lamar Jackson below duress.

Ross McCorkle: TE Pat Freiermuth vs. ILB Roquan Smith. The Steelers haven’t utilized the center of the sector sufficient, however it’s a good spot to assault the Ravens’ protection. It could be nice to see the Steelers comply with the Bengals’ script from only a week in the past and light-weight them up over the center. Smith has been good in protection all through his profession, however not a lot this season.

Scott Brown: Ravens RB Derrick Henry vs. Steelers LB Elandon Roberts. Nothing can be extra Ravens-Steelers than these two assembly a few instances in Acrisure Stadium, and to not shake fingers. Even at age 30, Derrick Henry rermains a bulldozer with a Maserati gear. Roberts is a brick wall of a linebacker constructed for AFC North soccer. Constructed for Ravens-Steelers particularly. His snaps have been rising in current weeks on the expense of rookie Payton, and that ought to proceed Sunday.

The Steelers must snuff out the Ravens’ run sport and make them one-dimensional on offense. That might be greater than a one-person job, however Roberts might be as key as anybody to make that occur.

Troy Montgomery: CB Joey Porter Jr. vs. WR Zay Flowers. The Ravens’ offense is based round operating the ball, however don’t assume they aren’t elite passing as effectively. Lamar Jackson is on his strategy to successful a 3rd MVP award, and Flowers is an enormous motive why, having the fifth most receiving yards within the NFL. He’s rapidly blossomed into a real primary receiver.

He’s received game-breaking velocity, and that risk excessive pairs properly with Jackson and Derrick Henry on the bottom. Porter had possibly his worst sport of the 12 months final week, getting known as for 3 penalties and struggling a bit of extra in protection. This week, he’ll have to return to type. If Flowers begins beating the Steelers deep, they could possibly be in for a protracted day.

QUESTION 3: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST KEY TO THE GAME FOR THE STEELERS?

Josh Carney: Create strain with the four-man rush and keep out of man protection conditions. The final time the Steelers confronted off in opposition to Lamar Jackson, they blitzed greater than 50% of the time, sending 5 or extra defenders, and performed quite a lot of man protection. They had been lucky Baltimore dropped quite a lot of passes in that Week 5 win final season, as a result of the Steelers had been poor in man protection.

The Steelers did one thing related final week in opposition to Washington and struggled in man protection. Once more, they had been lucky Washington missed on a handful of big-play alternatives. This week, change it up. Persist with dashing 4, let Jackson make some performs with is legs, however enable your self to drop seven into protection and attempt to confuse Jackson. Taking part in man in opposition to Baltimore could possibly be a killer for the Steelers.

Joe Clark: Throw early and sometimes. The Ravens cross protection has actually struggled this season, and if the Steelers can construct some momentum by means of the air early, they’ll be capable to assault Baltimore vertically. Combine in some runs to get the play-action sport working, however the Steelers really want to make the most of how dangerous this Ravens’ cross protection is and carve them up. Go for some pictures, but additionally look to assault beneath and put on Baltimore down.

Ross McCorkle: Get dwelling with the four-man rush. The Steelers have performed in opposition to a bunch of quarterbacks that like getting the ball out early. Rogers, Flacco, Daniels, Cousins, and Prescott all eliminate the ball in lower than 2.8 seconds. Jackson holds onto the ball second solely to Jalen Hurts with 3.09 seconds per play. That additional quarter of a second ought to enable that four-man rush to get dwelling. One of many large causes the Steelers have had a lot success in opposition to Jackson is their capability to strain and sack him. That may’t change on Sunday in the event that they wish to achieve success.
Scott Brown: Win the turnover battle. It isn’t that easy however Pittsburgh’s path to victory in all probability begins there. The Steelers merely can not afford to present the Ravens additional possessions. Baltimore goes to maneuver the ball, which makes takeaways by the Steelers’ protection as paramount because the offense not giving the ball away.

If the Steelers are not less than plus-two in turnover margin they’ve an ideal likelihood of constant their current dominance of this rivalry.

Troy Montgomery: Don’t miss on large performs. The Ravens’ offense seems like a juggernaut, so stopping them goes to be simpler mentioned than executed. Nevertheless, their protection is their weak spot. They defend in opposition to the run effectively, however their cross protection has been abysmal. The Steelers are going to have alternatives to hit dwelling runs down the sector.

It’s going to be essential that Russell Wilson connects on these deep balls. In opposition to the Washington Commanders, he began out a bit of shakier on that entrance. That may’t occur this week. Give George Pickens and Mike Williams possibilities to make performs. The Ravens are going to attain factors, so lacking any alternative to strike again will harm.

QUESTION 4: WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR RAVENS AT STEELERS?

Josh Carney: As I mentioned on The Horrible Podcast Friday, this sport simply has a distinct really feel to it. I haven’t felt any such depth or hype surrounding Steelers-Ravens sine possibly 2017 or 2018. Issues are completely different — in a great way.

There’s a distinct vibe about this Steelers group, too. They’ve the offense to create splash performs, the protection finds a strategy to make performs in key moments, and particular groups is arguably one of the best within the league. They’ve Jackson’s quantity, too. That issues.

However like all the time, this sport will come right down to a last kick and be a one-score sport. Steelers 23, Ravens 20 on a Chris Boswell game-winner. Take that, Justin Tucker.

Joe Clark:  There’s a distinct really feel about this Steelers group, and when you can throw the report books away when the Steelers play the Ravens, I like the truth that this Steelers group is coming in with confidence, and Pittsburgh has been actually good these days in opposition to Baltimore. The Ravens have slipped up just a few instances this season with losses to the Raiders and Browns, and with a weak cross protection coming into Pittsburgh, I’m taking the Steelers. Steelers 31, Ravens 21

Ross McCorkle: I predicted a Steelers sweep of the Ravens earlier than the season, and I’m going to keep it up. The Ravens’ offensive line is simply ready to be uncovered, and that is one of the best defensive entrance they’ve confronted this season. Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson aren’t going to be simple to restrict, but when anybody can do it, it’s the Steelers. Particularly at dwelling. Steelers 24, Ravens 20.

Scott Brown: I believe this might be decrease scoring than most mission. Which implies it is best to in all probability load up on the over. Possibly I’m trapped within the time warp the place Steelers-Ravens video games skirted the road of authorized violence and had been typically low-scoring affairs.

I do know the Steelers have had Lamar Jackson’s quantity, however that has been a small pattern measurement. He’s been otherworldly this season. And sadly I believe he’s due in opposition to a protection that I believe is excellent however not elite. Show me improper, T.J. Watt (and Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick). Ravens 24, Steelers 20.

Troy Montgomery: That is one other week that looks like a tossup. The Steelers’ protection has seemed elite, they usually’re infamous for enjoying even higher in opposition to Lamar Jackson. Derrick Henry hasn’t actually gotten the higher of them both. The Ravens’ protection can be possibly the weakest it’s ever been.

The Steelers are additionally at dwelling in Pittsburgh. I’ll in all probability really feel completely different about this sport when it’s in Baltimore, however this week, it feels just like the Steelers have all of the substances to upset the Ravens. I don’t really feel assured, however I’m going with the house group. Steelers 27, Ravens 24.