NFL WEEK 1

SHOWCASE GAME OF THE WEEK

PITTSBURGH @ BALTIMORE -3 / 36

By Spike Measer 9/7/11

This is one of eight divisional games here in the opening week of the 2011 NFL regular season. Although all contests between teams in the same division carry a little extra weight, this one is clearly worthy of the spotlight. It is quite evident that there is much animosity between these two franchises. Each team wants to beat this particular opponent more than any other on their schedule. And the best part is we get to see them go at it at least twice each season. I expect both of these clubs to make the post season, setting up a potential third matchup. Evidently the odds maker expects these two will make a playoff appearance as well. The season win total for each team is 10 ½. Only New England has a higher posted total in the AFC.

Let’s examine one key player from each team, and their individual performances over the last three seasons. Joe Flacco has faced the Pittsburgh Steelers eight times since he came into the league in 2008, including twice in the playoffs. He and the Ravens are 2-6 SU in those battles, and 2-5-1 ATS. Against the Dick LeBeau designed “Blitzburgh” defense, Flacco has produced 7 TD’s against 8 interceptions. He has completed just 53% of his throws against the Steelers stoppers. Credit Delaware Joe with leading his team to victory in Pittsburgh last season (Wk 4), but we must also remember that was the Steelers minus Ben Roethlisberger.

Now let’s direct our attention to Pittsburgh’s workhorse running back Rashard Mendenhall. Mendy has not been able to crack the 100 yard barrier against the stout Baltimore D, but that rarely happens, no matter who the ball carrier is. Twice in six games against Baltimore, Mendenhall was given more than 20 carries; 24-95 Wk 12, ’09 and 25-79 Wk 4, 2010. Pittsburgh lost both games. In notching four victories with Mendenhall playing, the grinding runner totaled just 157 yards on 65 touches, a poor 2.4 ypc. It will be interesting to see how these two combatants grade out after the September 11^th game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Keep in mind the Ravens are 19-5 SU at home the last three seasons. Two of those losses came at the hands of this week’s opponent. Baltimore is 2-6 ATS as a home favorite in AFC North contests with Flacco at the helm. The Steelers are 3-0 ATS as an away dog within the division since 2008. Five of the last six meetings involving these two clubs have been three-point ball games. The other was a four-point margin.

Get ready for ferocious hitting, spectacular playmaking and outstanding overall entertainment when Pittsburgh plays Baltimore on Sunday at 1 pm eastern time. And take the Steelers plus the points.