Week One Breakdown

"The Rivalry"

It is no secret that the Steelers and the Ravens have no love for each other. Charm City versus the Iron City. It's a rivalry that goes beyond football and invades life. If you have ever been to Baltimore you know that no matter what time of year it is, one thing is always clear, they hate anyone who likes Pittsburgh.

At one o'clock Sunday afternoon, the Steelers and the Ravens will meet for the 34th time. It may be week one, but everyone is expecting an absolute slug fest. The Steelers knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs last season and the Ravens are hoping to end the Steelers rain of dominance in the division.

The game will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in downtown Baltimore, Maryland where the Steelers are 8-7 all time versus the Ravens. The Steelers have also been lights out versus Joe Flacco. Since Flacco was drafted in 2008, the Steelers are 6-2 against him and the Ravens, including two post season wins and a series sweep in 2008.

This rivalry really hasn't been as close as people have assumed. Since the Ravens were formed in 1996, how do they compare to the Steelers?

Record: 21-12 (Steelers)
Regular Season Record: 18-12 (Steelers)
Post Season Record: 3-0 (Steelers)

Divisional Championships
Steelers: 8 Ravens: 2 (1996-2001 AFC Central; 2002-present AFC North)

Conference Championships
Steelers: 3 Ravens: 1

Super Bowl Championships
Steelers: 2 Ravens: 1

INJURY REPORT
Marcus Gilbert- probable; Jerricho Cotchery- doubtful; Chris Carter- out

FINAL TAKE
The Ravens have a new look receiving corp and offensive line and hope that it is for the better. The Steelers are 4-6 in Baltimore over the last ten years but have won two of the last three meetings there. The Steelers still have a shaky line, which is a bad thing versus the angry Baltimore defense. The key to this game is that our receivers are better than their defensive backs and with time Big Ben will pick them apart.

Steelers WIN: 20-13