The Ravens are super hot as they’ve won 2 games in a row and 7 of their last 8 games.  The Steelers have won three in a row and 5 of their last 6 games.  The Steelers have won the last three games by a combined score of 84-13!  The problem for them is that they will be facing Steve McNair instead of Bruce Gradkowski, Derek Anderson and Chris Weinke.

The Ravens will probably try to run the ball with Jamal Lewis (986 yards rushing) against a Steelers defense that has allowed 90.4 yards rushing per game and 3.5 yards per carry.  The Ravens offensive line has been great in protecting the QB as they’ve only allowed 17 sacks so far this season.  If they pick up the blitz well, which is the Steelers only strength on defense, Steve McNair will torch the Steelers very average secondary.  The Ravens like to spread the ball around in the passing game to TE Todd Heap and WRs Mark Clayton and Derrick Mason.

The reason the Steelers have started winning lately is that they’ve gone back to playing Steelers’ football, which is running the ball and playing good defense.  They will attempt to do the same thing this Sunday against the Ravens.  That will be easier said than done as the Ravens are only allowing 79.4 yards rushing and 3.3 yards per carry.  Willie Parker (1,331 yards rushing) has been outstanding running the ball at home, so something will have to give in this game.  The Steelers must be able to run the ball for Ben Roethlisberger to have any chance at success throwing the ball in this football game.  Roethlisberger was sacked 9 times in the first meeting, so the Steelers would be smart to run shorter patterns.

The Steelers have played well at home this season, but the Ravens have played well everywhere.  The Steelers just don’t match up well with the Ravens who thumped them 27-0 just 4 weeks ago.  The game will be closer this time, but the Ravens will complete the season sweep with a win in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

The Baltimore Ravens had a scare today when the Browns tied them in the third quarter, but the Ravens scored 10 unanswered points to finish off the game.  Steve McNair started the game and went 0 for 4 passing before leaving the game after Andra Davis stepped on his hand.  McNair didn’t return to the game.  In stepped Kyle Boller and he played real well.  He completed 13 of 21 passes for 238 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT.  Jamal Lewis had a good game as he carried the ball 22 times for 109 yards (5.0 ypc) and a TD.  Demetrius Williams caught 2 passes for 100 yards and a TD.  Todd Heap was busy with 5 catches for 58 yards.  FB Ovie Mughelli caught 2 passes for 13 yards and a TD.

The defense played pretty well today.  Ray Lewis had 7 tackles and a sack.  Terrell Suggs was all over the place and wound up with 9 tackles and a sack.  Adalius Thomas also was very active with 9 tackles and a 1/2 sack.  Trevor Pryce also had a good game with 3 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble.  The Browns only ran the ball 16 times for 68 yards (4.3 ypc).  The Browns completed 23 of 33 passes for 168 net yards passing.

The Ravens improved to 11-3 on the season and won the division.

The Ravens have the best linebacking corps in the NFL.  No other unit dominates the game like these guys do.  Bart Scott has been awesome as he has made 89 tackles, has 8.5 sacks and has picked off 2 passes.  Ray Lewis has turned back the clock and has been great.  Lewis has made 84 tackles, 3 sacks, a fumble recovery and 2 interceptions.  Adalius Thomas has been outstanding at outside linebacker.  Thomas has made 67 tackles, 10 sacks, a fumble recovery and a interception.  Terrell Suggs also has brought alot of pressure off the edge and has made 49 tackles, 7 sacks and has recovered 2 fumbles.

The linebackers have been set free by the play of the defensive line that has kept the linebackers clean.

This was an impressive win for the Ravens as the Chiefs had been 20-1 in their last 21 home December games.  Steve McNair was outstanding as he completed 21 of 27 passes for 283 yards and a TD.  Jamal Lewis carried the ball 24 times for 81 yards (3.4 ypc) and a TD.  Mark Clayton had an outstanding game as he caught 5 passes for 112 yards and a TD.  Derrick Mason pitched in with 5 catches for 68 yards.  Todd Heap was also active with 4 catches for 33 yards.

The defense was awesome for the Ravens on Sunday.  S Ed Reed had a huge game with 3 tackles and 2 interceptions.  Terrell Suggs (8 tackles, sack), Trevor Pryce (7 tackles, sack) and Bart Scott (7 tackles, sack) led the way as the Ravens harrassed Trent Green the whole game.  The Chiefs had some success running the ball with 30 carries for 135 yards (4.5 ypc).  The Ravens really played good against the pass as the Chiefs completed 15 of 27 passes for 141 net yards passing.

The Ravens moved one step closer to a division title with this win.  The Ravens now sit at 10-3 on the season.