Jordan DeFigio, @fidgenewton
The saying goes "third time's the charm", so let's try this one more time. After being postponed not once (from Thanksgiving Day to Sunday afternoon), not twice (from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday evening), but three times, the 10-0 Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to finally take on the Baltimore Ravens in their first divisional rematch of the season this Wednesday, December 2nd at 3:40PM.
You read that right.
3:40 on a Wednesday.
Friendly reminder that the Steelers beat the Ravens 28-24 in Week 8 to defeat the Ravens 28-24. They are no doubt hoping to bring the hammer down on Baltimore, since the league obviously isn't going to.
The game will be broadcast nationally at on NBC, and quite a few things have changed since last Thursday.
MATCHUPS AT A GLANCE
Most of the key matchups will look similar to the matchups from Week 8. Had the game been played last Thursday (or Sunday, or even Tuesday), Mark Ingram II and JK Dobbins would have been unable to participate because they still would have been on the COVID/Reserve list. However, thanks to the incredible generosity of the NFL in catering to each and every demand of the Ravens', both will suit up and play on Wednesday.
Baltimore's most noteworthy loss is at quarterback, as Lamar Jackson is now on the COVID/Reserve list. Meaning Robert Griffin III will get the start. He got the nod in the final game between the teams in the 2019 season and played well enough against the Steelers' defense. Griffin 11/21 for 96 yards through the air and rushing for 50 yards on 8 attempts. Mark Andrews will still be a guy the defense needs to keep a close eye on. I'm still curious to see how Keith Butler will plan for the matchup between linebackers Avery Williamson and Robert Spillane (who had a pick six effectively ending the Ravens' first drive in Week 8) and Andrews.
Defensive tackle Brandon Williams will also be eligible to return from the COVID/Reserve list, which will bolster their already rock solid defense. With Yannick Ngakoue, Patrick Queen, and a returning Calais Campbell, the Steelers will have to bring the heat to ignite their run game and torch the Ravens' secondary. Randy Fichtner and the offense will have their hands full going up against that nasty front seven. Even more so with James Conner out on the COVID/Reserve list this week
Ben Roethlisberger has proven he doesn't need an effective run game to win games though, and has continued to put up impressive numbers with his young receiving core. Those guys can take advantage of whoever is guarding them, whether it's Marlon Humphrey or Chuck Clark or DeShon Elliott. And Roethlisberger has proven that he can thread the needle, throw the deep ball, hit the dimes. No matter what.
After the nightmare this week has been, all the Ravens and the NFL have done is fuel the fire of the already overlooked Pittsburgh Steelers. And I still think we can look forward to a classic Color Rush Ben Roethlisberger performance this week.
Whenever this game actually happens.
JORDAN'S PREDICTIONS
Even before this circus began, I thought the Steelers would beat the Ravens.
But now I think they're going to decimate them.
The Ravens are underprepared, disorganized, and tired. And while they are still desperate (they'll certainly be hungry to get a win, especially against a division rival), I don't think they have the resources or the heart to pull it off.
Steelers by a landslide.
FINAL MUSINGS
Baltimore started the season 6-1, but has lost three of their last four games. They will no doubt be hungry for a victory that would help them regain momentum and control of their season. And I'm no expert, but I would be willing to bet that they aren't too keen on the idea of being swept by the Steelers in the regular season. But the Steelers will be donning their iconic Color Rush jerseys, and they boast a 5-1 record when wearing them.
And again. When the Steelers are mistreated, they let loose.
What are your predictions for the game tomorrow? Let us know in the comments below.
#SteelerNation
