50-YARD LINE

Here we go Steelers, here we go! It's Ravens week. Are you pysched? Your Pittsburgh Steelers darn well better be. This is the game they circle the minute the schedule comes out. The Steelers look to feast on some bird this week but not turkeys, instead it will be Ravens. Keys to tonight's division matchup at the Big Ketchup Bottle. 1)As you may have heard, Ben is out this week and Byron Leftwich will be under center. Steeler fans are holding their collective breath over this decision as Byron may have a big arm but he's got a big windup to go with it. The Baltimorons are probably licking their chops over this. The Steelers played KC flatter than a potato pancake last week. If they play down to their level of competition when they play the bad teams, conventional wisdom would say that this week they'll play up to their level of competition against the 7-2 Baltimorons. Todd Haley said he is going to game plan to Byron's strengths. The Raisins' secondary is banged up so look for Byron to go deep this week.  Mike Wallace better leave his butter fingers at home and be ready! 2)The Steelers need to control both sides of the ball. Mendy gets the start at running back today. We need the O-Line to knock the Baltimorons into next week and create holes for the running game. The Raisins have the 26th ranked D in the league. The Steelers need to score early, score often, and score BIG! Carve up these turkeys like a Butterball! 3)The Steelers are 0-4 vs. the Baltimorons when Ben is injured. Their QB Flacco has only averaged 179.7 yards per game with 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions on the road this year. However, the last 2 years he's pulled out come-from-behind victories in Pittsburgh. The D needs to get in Flacco's grill and ruffle his feathers. Remember, 5 of the past 6 meetings between these teams were decided by 3 points. Hit 'em early, hit 'em often, hit 'em HARD! This one is for the AFC North lead. Go out and knock the stuffing out of the Baltimorons. Go Steelers!!!!!!