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Predictions for NFL Wild Card Weekend

By James Simpson II

Dec 21, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws in the pocket against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws in the pocket against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 2, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks to pass under pressure from Baltimore Ravens linebacker Pernell McPhee (90) during the first half of the game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 43-23. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks to pass under pressure from Baltimore Ravens linebacker Pernell McPhee (90) during the first half of the game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 43-23. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /

AFC Wild Card

No. 6 Baltimore Ravens (10-6) at No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
Saturday January 3, 2015 8:15 pm on NBC

What recently used to be the hardest-hitting matchup in the entire NFL is about to renew itself next Saturday in the postseason for the fourth time in playoff history between these two teams. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 27-10 in the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff Game and they have faced off twice in the playoffs during the Mike Tomlin-John Harbaugh era, with the Steelers winning both times – 2008 AFC Championship Game and 2010 AFC Divisional Playoff Game. Now they’re at it again.

This time around though, both teams defensively are nowhere near as formidable, intimidating, physical, and just plain as good as past teams. There’s no Ray Lewis or Ed Reed on the Ravens side anymore. For the Steelers, Ryan Clark, James Farrior, Lamar Woodley, and in-his-prime James Harrison and Troy Polamalu are all gone. Both teams are susceptible to the pass with the Steelers ranking 27th in opponents passing yards per game (253.1) and the Ravens ranking 24th (248.7). Both defenses are still pretty strong against the run – Ravens are 4th and the Steelers are 6th – but neither are as fearsome as they once were. You would think that if both teams are very weak against the pass that each team would be trying exploit the other secondary at will and if it comes down to that, then we might have ourselves a Flacco-Big Ben back-and-forth scoring affair on our hands Saturday night.

This matchup is usually a defensive war but times have changed and I think this ball game comes down to which offense can outperform the other. It will most likely be freezing in Pittsburgh somewhere around 30/20 degrees (maybe lower) and that could force each team to lean more towards the run and that favors Pittsburgh – if running back La’Veon Bell is healthy and he plays. The trio of Roethlisberger, Bell, and soon-to-be All-Pro wideout Antonio Brown has been humming all season and I see no way the Ravens slow these three down in this game.

Both teams’ antennas will be up even more since this is a rivalry game and bragging rights are on the line. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a 16-13 or 20-16 type game, however this one will come down to Flacco and Ben and giving how each has played this season, I’m siding with Ben on this occasion – plus he’s got the home-field working in his favor too.

My Pick: Steelers 34-24

Next: Bengals at Colts

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