The Baltimore Ravens will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night and will attempt to avoid an early season hole. Baltimore dropped its opener against the Cincinnati Bengals at home and will be in trouble in the AFC North with a loss to Pittsburgh.
Steelers vs. Ravens 2014: Time, TV schedule, radio and how to watch online
One of the hardest-hitting rivalries will kick off Week 2 with a pair of AFC North teams getting together in primetime.
Rob Carr
Baltimore is searching for a better performance out of its defense, a unit that allowed 301 passing yards during the season opener (131 of those yards went to Bengals star receiver, A.J. Green). Despite their deficiencies in pass defense, the Ravens successfully defended against the run giving up 3.0 yards per carry. The story of the game was turnovers, with Baltimore committing two -- a fumble and an interception -- while forcing none.
The Steelers are coming into Charm City on the heels of a wild victory against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Pittsburgh squandered a 24-point lead but managed to escape with the win thanks to a 41-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham as time expired.
Ben Roethlisberger started the season in fine fashion, throwing for 365 yards and a touchdown. Antonio Brown led all receivers with 116 yards on five catches, also hauling in a score. Pittsburgh has to clean up its penalties after taking 11 against the Browns. The Steelers' run defense was also poor, allowing 180 yards on 6.1 yards per rush.
How to watch
Where: M&T Bank Stadium
When: 8:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Radio: Steelers local listings | Ravens local listings
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile
Nuts and Bolts
This is one of the nastiest rivalries in football over the last decade. The two teams have battled for division supremacy over the last several years and will both be eyeing the AFC North crown. The teams split their series last season and both missed the playoffs at 8-8.
The last time a team swept the season series was back in 2011, when the Ravens dominated the Steelers 35-7 in the season-opener before taking the rematch 23-20 at Heinz Field. The intensity of this rivalry was showcased last season in Baltimore, when Tomlin got in the path of returner Jacoby Jones on a kick return. The result was Tomlin issuing a public apology and an $100,000 fine.
Further reading
For more on the Steelers, be sure to check out Behind The Steel Curtain.
For more on the Ravens, visit Baltimore Beatdown.
See More:
