Pittsburgh Steelers Takes Advantage of Sloppy Ravens, But Can't Be Discounted

By now, however, a rivalry of bitterness was inexplicably in full bloom. The prior history, of course, has developed an intense clash, centering a pair of divisional foes by cast members of the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers. It reminded us, upon hearing the hype of what has become an attractive event in the NFL, about the past episodes with the Steelers and Ravens.

In specifics, it reminded us of the time when the Ravens threatened to place a bounty on Hines Ward, when Bart Scott threatened to "kill" the Steelers' veteran receiver or when the Ravens delivered a nasty blow to the Steelers quarterback's nose. Each time they meet, it turns into a verbal altercation and eventually escalates into a physical skirmish on the field, a heavyweight battle like no other in a contest that becomes so brutal.

Now, along comes the sudden impact of Rashard Mendenhall in a pivotal matchup of mutual hostility, of boundless violence and hard hits that identify a hard-nose, turnover-forcing defense. This wouldn't be a rivalry without any feisty trash talk that notably fueled the meanest rivalry in the NFL, which accelerated earlier this week after Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs wore a T-Shirt featuring a bird with a murky gesture and read, "Hey Pittsburgh."

All of this trash talk formulated a wonderful theater, just as earlier in the week when Suggs called it the "best rivalry in sports." Consider it, however, not only a breakout game for the Steelers, but a breakthrough for the skilled running back Mendenhall. And he never disappointed, even after he declined as a factor in the Steelers' enigmatic running game in prior weeks. So the Steelers survived on the Ravens' second-half meltdown, and clinched a berth to the AFC Championship Game by the heroics of the stud running back.

He's a third-year speedster out of Illinois, a beneficiary who emerged into the spotlight, and if he continues to advertise his knack by bursting to the end zone, he'll clearly be known as an icon with his heroics and athleticism. Between now and as early as February, his presence will be felt immensely—another way to reduce the workload off Ben Roethlisberger, who has proven unflappable in critical situations but also vulnerable at times.

Because it's entirely a total team effort, even though Mendenhall was the primary difference-maker in such a tense, must-needed bout, he probably won't be heard of much over the next week. That is unfair for a helpful player after lifting the momentum and exciting the fans with his explosive eight-yard dash to the 4-yard line on Pittsburgh's first drive. The masses at Heinz Field, dressed in Steeler yellow and black, screamed loudly and swung the Terrible Towels, a frenzy that traditionally defines a die-hard Steelers fan.

He didn't have to finish with all-purpose yards or have to conclude his impressive statement with 50-plus yards, but settled for merely 46 yards on 20 carries. Rather remarkably, he scored two touchdowns and caught a 13-yard pass. In a sense that the Steelers are America's favorite, we were all convinced by the Steelers rally, thanks to the Ravens miscues that contributed to Pittsburgh's miraculous comeback.

As minutes dwindled on the clock, with 1:33 remaining in a tight, nerve-racking AFC divisional playoff game, Mendenhall pushed into the end zone from the 2-yard line to give the Steelers a 31-24 comeback win over the clumsy Ravens on Saturday. That's partly because the Ravens collapsed and inexcusably stumbled. Presumably because they were too relax and took a lead for granted, Baltimore was doomed by the second half in its hardest matchup against the Steelers, a championship-caliber team that trailed 21-7 at halftime when turnovers produced two Ravens touchdowns.

The timing couldn't have been worse, as the Ravens bailed on their aggressive defense and no longer seemed vicious. For whatever reason, they abandoned the bull-rushes and stopped harassing Roethlisberger, which allowed him ample opportunities to elude pressure and find his intended receivers late in the game. Once, they were the fiercest defense around, known for punishing opponents. But by the third quarter the Ravens were harmless—a rarity in their everyday approach that was a non-factor with so much on the line.

If you believed in the Ravens, a monstrous, defensive-minded unit, it's because Baltimore nearly walked out of a hostile territory in celebration. If so, Ray Lewis and Suggs would have flew out of the town with bragging rights, granted by an appearance in the AFC Championship Game next weekend against either the New York Jets or the New England Patriots. As in any hurtful loss, the Ravens were left in despair at the end, and the bench stared hopelessly in disbelief and mourned a dreadful letdown.

It was an avalanche of costly mistakes committed by the Ravens in the second half. All together, Baltimore had three turnovers, and a holding penalty to deny Lardarius Webb's punt return score. It seemed the Ravens, entering the contest with much firepower and confidence, were in position to tie the game late, but Anquan Bolden dropped a pass in the end zone. Then, came the missed opportunity when T.J. Houshmandzadeh, on 4th-and-18 on Baltimore's final drive at Pittsburgh, lost control of the ball that bounced off his mitts.

This certainly wasn't the Steelers' finest game, nor was it Roethlisberger's greatest. Early on, he had trouble with his accuracy, but somehow, he completed a pass to Ward on 3rd-and-10. And on a few plays later, on a third down and sudden-death situation, he heaved one to Antonio Brown, following a shrewd call by offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. But mostly his passes were short or either incomplete, pretty much creating a scare for the Steelers by his faulty performance.

The point is, the Steelers' relentless, brutal defense conducted by the brilliant defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who calls useful plays to complete stops, bailed out Pittsburgh with the persistent rushes by James Harrison, the aggressor on the Steelers defense. Perhaps, the toughness from a hard-driven defense saved the Steelers. And as a result, the Steelers sacked Joe Flacco five times, with only very limited protection in the backfield.

And yes, there are plenty of people rooting for the Steelers, as usual, when Roethlisberger has already won two championships with a 9-2 postseason record. The die-hards in Pittsburgh, once furious and irritable with Big Ben over his sexual harassment allegations, can finally eulogize not only him as the franchise quarterback but the Steelers in general for defeating their divisional enemies on the day that defied the laws of wills and resiliency.

The humanity in a city that honors football, among other sports in the town is contagious and spiritual as the fans celebrate in delight, elated by the Steelers. Sure, they took advantage of the Ravens miscues, but either way, they won it.

Denver Broncos' Flawless Drive is Wasteful, If Bothered By Pesky Steelers

It felt like a playoff game, I swear. Seems football fanatics are getting a head start in a sneak preview, and how a fascinating postseason may square off. Two bottomless defensive teams, and two flawless defensive coordinators describe the kind of teams assembled. As it turns out, the Denver Broncos are subjected to an unbelievable year, and survived disastrous turmoil that nearly battered an entire organization.

So now, it’s hard admitting that the Broncos are near the top of the AFC conference in the same year of a grotesque divorce with franchise quarterback Jay Cutler. Lack of communication between him and egotistic coach Josh McDaniels had apparently dismantled morale, including disputes with discontent wideout Brandon Marshall.

Judging all the disruptions, the Broncos weren’t speculated to have a flawless season. Although, they seemed unbeatable before losing to the Ravens last week, Denver musters likely the deepest defense in the league, an essential factor to their powerful rampancy facing most teams this season.

Of course, against Pittsburgh, exploiting defensive schemes normally doesn’t fair too well. In the game, hard-hitting, physical bulrushes and unsympathetic sacks identified physical toughness, which unleashes the heart of ambitious competitors willing to encounter an action-packed fray confirming legitimacy.

By now, our society can discern why the Steelers are defending champs, and the lone franchise with six Super Bowl titles. Despite a usual sluggish start, their reckless and daredevil quarterback Ben Roethlisberger lives up to his nickname Big Ben.

From most viewpoints, he’s the league’s best quarterback managing big plays and conserves the clock in critical moments. Considering he’s the greatest quarterback in clutch situations and rallies the Steelers to victories, the tenacious and fierce defense keeps the sluggish offense alive.

Coming off a bye week Pittsburgh might have been rusty, but recharged in the second-half against the resurgence of the Broncos. It’s a usual trait seen often by the Steelers, recovering from first-half droughts and escapes at the end with victories. After all, we are accustomed to the late heroics and savior defense salvaging applause at the end of the night.

Again, the defense was too massive and energetic, accelerating and rushing to force Denver’s Kyle Orton into three interceptions. Again, the defense pressured the Broncos, outplaying the flawless frontline and secondary and bullied an uneasy Orton.

Again, the Steelers had a matchless offense, arranged by a crafty Big Ben, who orchestrated three second-half touchdown passes en route to a 28-10 victory.

But bigger worries are the Broncos. In the Mile High City, folks are worried about Denver, whose record is 6-2 when two consecutive losses increase panic attacks. Being in a weak division there’s not much to worry about. Instead, they should be strongly bothered by the Steelers.

Later in the season, of course when postseason play arrives, the Broncos will need to garner concepts in ways to trounce the defending champs, a challenging mode to breakthrough in the playoffs. A Steelers-Broncos rematch is likely to reoccur in the playoffs, and contemplating sufficient tactics for mitigating a pesky defense of rushing on nearly each possession, is obligatory for defeating Pittsburgh.

Putting more pressure on Roethlisberger is pragmatic as well as limiting probability of the Steelers pulling off a heartbreaker in final moments. Known for stinginess and greediness, the Steelers are more powerful than Denver, unless they’re equipped to hinder Pittsburgh by outscoring them.

More staggering was their ability to dominate the Broncos on Monday night, scorching in the second-half and outscored Denver with an overwhelming score of 76-10.

Its painful not having the similar pedigree of a high caliber offense that could compile points instantly on the scoreboard. The Steelers were just prepared and formed the Blizburgh, trapping the line of scrimmage to disallow Orton of duplicating similar patterns, which led to early success.

But more problematic, the Broncos defense weakened, intimidated by the Steelers toughness and amazed with guru defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau’s intellectual play calling on the sideline. To be straightforward, his play calling was productive and usually finished on good terms, outcoaching Denver’s defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and the disappearing defense.

Where were the tough-minded defensive backs, such as Brian Dawkins or Champ Bailey? Where was rookie linebacker Robert Ayers, after the second-half when he sacked and forced a fumble before returning it 54-yards for a touchdown? Lastly, where were the nimble play calls by Nolan?

For much of the season, the Broncos have been very impressive in their pugnacious secondary. Instead the Steelers entered a hostile territory, sprinted out of the visitors’ tunnel rusty but pumped and comfortable for the challenge.

At halftime, Pittsburgh trailed 7-0 in a neutralized environment, where Pittsburgh fans swung the Terrible Towels spoiling a home game for the Broncos. Mostly, throughout, an uptight night Denver faithful booed Orton for throwing three interceptions.

Was it really his fault? The Broncos failed to run the no-huddle offense, designed to make opponents fatigued. I also think the Steelers were a better defensive force, in which the Broncos offensive line failed to cease. Hate to say this, but it felt like a game played in Pittsburgh. With less than two minutes left, Terrible Towels started swinging, and Steelers’ fans terribly celebrated in front of petulant Broncos fans.

Much of the game, the Steelers pushed the ball on the ground with the quickness of Rashard Mendenhall, blowing by Denver defenders in the low altitude for 155 yards. The sixth-ranked Steelers defense, though, shut down a swaggering rushing game. Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno were limited in stomping the Steelers knack on defense.

Of course, momentum shifted in the second quarter, when safety Tyrone Carter picked off one of his picks and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown. Most games don’t pass without a relentless Troy Polamalu slowing down the rush or picking off a wayward throw.

As usual, he exploited his speed and read all angles of the field in Denver. His intercepted pass on the Broncos’ 25-yard line put the Steelers in position to capitalize, and dictated the final outcome of an AFC showdown when Roethlisberger fired a pass to rookie Mike Wallace completing 21 of 29 passes for 233 yards.

By evaluating the game, the Broncos are working progress and have much to work on. In the upcoming weeks, Denver needs to accumulate defensive awareness and enhance tactics to trounce the Steelers. For now, if the Broncos look to thrive, they must beat the Steelers. Like getting off to a fast start, the Broncos will have to make adjustments fast.

If Denver ignores defensive woes, what a waste it would be.