The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for more than just to clinch the AFC North division title with a Christmas Day win over the Baltimore Ravens. They’re also looking for a little revenge. The Ravens have bested the Ben Roethlisberger-led team in their last four rivalry games, and they boast one of the team’s top former receivers.
Ravens vs. Steelers 2016 live stream: How to watch NFL Christmas Day football online
This AFC North matchup is a big game for both teams’ quarterbacks.
The last time these two teams faced off was in early November, when the former Steeler and current Raven wideout Mike Wallace had a big day with 124 receiving yards, including a 95-yard touchdown — the longest offensive score in franchise history. Having bounced around teams since leaving Pittsburgh, Wallace has found renewed success with his former division rival. He’s just 37 yards away from his first 1,000-plus yard season since he was a Steeler.
Wallace recently reflected on how his career might’ve been shaped if he stayed in Pittsburgh.
”I know what would’ve happened. I would’ve been a great player. I would’ve enjoyed my whole time there and played my whole career there,” Wallace told PennLive.com. “That’s what would’ve happened, but unfortunately that’s the way the business is. It doesn’t go that way. And I’m fine.”
The wideout hasn’t seen the end zone since that game in early November, and the Steelers defense will certainly try to make sure that keeps up through Week 16. The reason for the loss to the Ravens earlier in the year wasn’t due to a lack of defensive effort, though. In fact, the Wallace touchdown was the only offensive score of the day.
Pittsburgh’s defense had less injuries in the last meeting with Baltimore, but it held the Ravens to only 50 rushing yards all day and just over 220 passing yards. The defense also forced a few fumbles, snagged an interception and got three sacks against quarterback Joe Flacco. If the Steelers can capitalize on the turnovers — and occasionally recover one of their forced fumbles — Pittsburgh could come out on top.
With three rookies starting on defense, the team will still need a big performance by Roethlisberger and his offense. The Steelers offense actually outscored its opposition over a month ago, but a special teams score off a blocked punt, and the subsequent two-point conversion, put Pittsburgh behind.
Fortunately for those waving Terrible Towels, running back Le’Veon Bell and wideout Antonio Brown are two of the best offensive players in the league. Both were just selected to the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl, and each already exceeds 1,100 yards this season. The Ravens’ defense will need to stuff both Bell and Brown if it wants to keep the score in comeback range, but the defense was able to do just that in the last matchup.
Baltimore’s defense held Bell to a season-low 32 yards and kept Brown to only two catches for 9 yards until he broke out late in the game, adding five receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. The receiver was essentially triple-teamed all game, which made him a nonfactor for most of the day.
Roethlisberger knows other guys will have to step up to compensate for Brown’s coverage, saying earlier in the week, “We’re used to teams having at least one, sometimes two and maybe a third guy keeping an eye on A.B. We need other guys to step up and be big this week, for sure.”
The Pittsburgh quarterback’s arm will be a big factor in Sunday’s contest, but he isn’t the only gunslinger facing a huge, pressure-filled game. Flacco knows that a win over Baltimore’s rival Sunday will erase some of the up-and-down play from throughout the season.
How to watch
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
TV: NFL Network
Announces: Mike Tirico, Doug Flutie, Heather Cox
Online: Sunday Ticket, Verizon Mobile
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