The Baltimore Ravens (5-5) are hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) Sunday and they are still waiting to hear whether or not Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is going to play.  Roethlisberger has a pretty bad concussion last week, but was expected to play this week until reports surfaced Friday that their is a good chance that he will sit out for precautionary measures.  This would be great news for the Ravens and their defense, because that would mean that the inexperienced Dennis Dixon would start.  If Dixon does start, it will really limit the Steelers’ offense and the Ravens defense will be able to pressure the young quarterback into a lot of mistakes.  The Steelers will probably limit Dixon and that means the Ravens can key in on Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker.  They are holding opponents to 92 rushing yards per game, and if Dixon starts they should be able to keep the Steelers under that.

On offense, Joe Flacco needs to step it up for the Ravens.  The Ravens have lost two of their last three, and Flacco is one of the main reasons why.  He has not thrown a touchdown pass in those three games and has three interceptions.  The Steelers’ run-defense is one of the best in the league (69 rushing yards per game), so the Ravens really need Flacco to get the offense going.  If Roethlisberger starts, the Ravens may be in trouble.  If Dixon starts, it should be a definite win.  Either way, I’m going to go with the the Ravens in a close win.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Baltimore Ravens 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 13