The Baltimore Ravens have to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Sitting at 0-3 and in the basement of the AFC North, the Ravens must find a way to conquer their old rivals unless they are ready to capitulate for the 2015 season.
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Baltimore was picked by many, including Peter King of Sports Illustrated, to reach the Super Bowl. Last year, the Ravens advanced to the AFC Divisional round as a wild card, only to lose in a shootout at Gillette Stadium to the New England Patriots. In the offseason, general manager Ozzie Newsome allowed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee and receiver Torrey Smith to leave in free agency, believing the depth was there to sustain the hits.
Instead, Smith’s replacement, first-round draft choice Breshad Perriman, has been out the entire preseason and regular season with a PCL injury. Perriman’s return date remains uncertain, leaving the Ravens with Steve Smith and not much else in the passing game. On defense, Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil seemed to be more than enough in the pass-rushing department. Instead, Suggs tore his Achilles in Week 1, ending his season and perhaps his career.
The Steelers have no sympathy for Baltimore, because they are dealing with plenty of injuries of their own. Pittsburgh won on Sunday but lost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for 4-6 weeks after spraining his MCL and sustaining a bone bruise on his knee. With Roethlisberger on the sideline, the Steelers are turning to Michael Vick. Vick was signed in August to replace injured backup Bruce Gradkowski.
Ultimately, the Ravens win on Thursday because they are desperate. Baltimore has come within inches of being 3-0, so it makes sense they finally get the job done against Vick and Co.
Pick: Baltimore 24, Pittsburgh 20