"Steelers/Ravens Week"

In the midst of a hellish week a Steelerfan compatriot put things in perspective for me: This is "Steelers/Ravens week."  Enough said.

These two teams hate each other.  The Ravens used to be the Cleveland Browns and after migrating to Baltimore adopted the Steelers style of play, smash mouth football.  However, I've seen the Steelers, I know the Steelers, and the Ravens are no Steelers.

After being spotted a 21-7 halftime lead in last season's AFC Divisional playoff game, the Steelers defense turned up the heat and Ravens QB Joey Fluke-o folded like a cheap card table.  And then, this beautiful play happened:

The Steelers pulled off a stunning come-from-behind 31-24 victory en route to Super Bowl XLV.  That was then, this is now.

Week 1 forecast:

This game should be typical Steelers/Ravens -- close.  I look for the Steelers to jump out to an early lead on the strength of the Steelers passing attack.  The Ravens will certainly remember who Antonio Brown is, but Big Ben has many other capable targets, including Mike Wallace and Hines Ward.  Mewelde Moore has also proven to be a playmaker catching passes out of the backfield.  Even the newly acquired Jericho Cotchery and Arnaz Battle (remember him?) have looked solid in the preseason.  However, as another Steeler aficionado often reminds me: "[the Steelers] never make it easy."  Often this happens because the Steelers secondary can occasionally spring leaks like an election campaign headquarters.  So, keep the alka-seltzers handy.

I'm predicting a rating of "4 cherries, 2 f-bombings, and 1 renegade."  My cohorts and I digest a vodka-soaked cherry after each Steelers score, so look for the Steelers to put up about 20 points (all early).  The two f-bombings will come late in the game (one after Joey Fluke-o catches one of our corners napping and the other after a cheap Steelers turnover).  As Steelers Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau had to remind the Steelers D during the last meeting with the Ravens: "These guys can't score on us without some fluke-@$$ sh!t!"  That should inspire one the many great Steelers linebackers to end the last Ravens threat with a devastating sack (hence, one blaring play of Styx's "Renegade):  Steelers 20, Ravens 17.