Sometimes final scores can be misleading. Not this one. The Ravens dominated the Steelers in Week 1 from start to finish. This game was Ivan Drago vs. Apollo Creed...in more ways than one.
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| Harbaugh pulled out all the stops to humiliate the Steelers in Week 1. Photo Credit: Keith Allison. |
Some other connections to Rocky IV -
Like Ivan Drago, prior to kickoff parts of the 2011 Ravens were fairly unknown. They had a relatively unknown secondary. The offensive line is a completely revamped unit. Gone are household names like Derrick Mason, Willis McGahee and Todd Heap. Now it's Lee Evans, Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta. On the surface the Ravens look like a big, strong Russian boxer, who has weak points that can be attacked.
Only those weak points weren't so weak. The secondary held their own against a strong Pittsburgh passing game, and came away with two interceptions (with a third by Ray Lewis).
The offensive line opened up massive running lanes for both Ray Rice and Ricky Williams. The line also limited the Steelers to one sack.
Dickson and Pitta looked like more than capable replacements for Heap. Dickson even scored a touchdown.
The Steelers walked into this fight as the former AFC champions. Leading up to the game, they talked about how they owned Baltimore. All the Steelers needed was James Brown, a top hat and a dance routine as they strutted into Baltimore.
Like Apollo Creed, the Steelers overlooked their aging parts and figured that previous achievements would carry them to victory, or, at least a competitive game with their arch rivals.
In Rocky IV, you knew Creed was in big trouble the minute Drago landed his first cross. The Ravens unleashed a hell of a punch on their first play from scrimmage when fullback Vonta Leach and the offensive line smacked the defense in the mouth. Even the most optimistic Steelers fan knew that he or she might have to throw in theirTerrible Towel and end this one early.
We all know the Drago lost at the end of Rocky IV. The good news for the Ravens is, Ray Rice won't be yelling "I play for me! FOR ME!" at John Harbaugh anytime soon. They look like a cohesive unit with one goal in mind right now - win the AFC North.
The good news for the Steelers is they do have a chance to avenge this death Week 9 in Pittsburgh. They just need to ditch the arrogance, forget about how good they used to be, set up shop at an abandoned farmhouse in Siberia, and stare at a picture of Ray Lewis for the next two months.
On November 5, they need to be bearded up, and ready to dramatically crush the photo of Lewis while staring in the mirror.
That's where the Rocky IV similarities end. The rematch of this one-sided game is eight weeks away, and Week 1 has never been an accurate barometer of what's to come (see 2003, Buffalo 31, New England 0. Or better yet, last season when Houston manhandled Indianapolis from start to finish). More than likely, Week 9 will feature two teams that are very much in the playoff hunt. Round 1 clearly went to Baltimore.
Here are a few more thoughts on the game. If you are a Pittsburgh or Baltimore fan, be prepared to hate my guts after reading the following section.
Good calls, bad calls
Good call by Baltimore to stay aggressive in the second half. Especially on defense.
Bad call by John Harbaugh, going for two with a fake extra point. Harbaugh needs to learn to control his emotions on the sidelines, or he'll continue to make foolish decisions. Like the Steelers, he needs to forget last season. Losing to Pittsburgh in the playoffs was bad, but trying to rub it in by going for two? First of all, it's one point. Second, and more importantly, that was an absolutely unbelievable play. Unfortunately, now every team the Ravens play for the rest of the season has it on tape. It would have been nice to break that sucker out in Week 15 in San Diego, ON A FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT. Instead he wasted it for one meaningless point. Ravens fans, any time your team is losing by three or more late in the game, and they line up a for a long field goal on 4th and 1, remember when they wasted this play.
Good call by the Ravens, signing Vonta Leach. He's the reason I would have drafted Ray Rice number one overall in fantasy leagues this season. Barring injury, Rice will be this year's top Fantasy performer.
Bad call by John Harbaugh, going for it on 4th and 1 late in the game. Could you imagine if Ray Rice got hurt on that play? Or even worse, Flacco?
Good call by the Steelers, drafting Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward in two of the last three NFL drafts.
Bad call by the Steelers, not using Hood on 80 percent of defensive snaps. He's the best defensive player on the team. Yes, he is.
Good call by the Steelers, resigning Ike Taylor. Held speedster Lee Evans without a catch.
Bad call by Mike Tomlin, choosing to defer when Pittsburgh won the opening coin toss. Take the ball.
Good call by Bruce Arians, running Mendenhall early and often. He ran for 48 yards on his first six carries.
Bad call by Arians, forgetting Mendenhall was on the team in the second half...and Isaac Redman for that matter. After cutting the lead to 14-7 with more than 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Steelers didn't attempt another running play until the second half. This is Arians' biggest flaw as a play caller. when "zig" is working, he feels the need to "zag." The Steelers could have moved the ball on the Ravens by running and throwing quick passes to Mike Wallace who didn't see a defensive back lineup within eight yards of him all game.
Good call by all things Baltimore Ravens (save a few decisions by Harbaugh). It was a definitive win. It sent a message to not only Pittsburgh, but the entire NFL.
Bad call by all things Pittsburgh Steelers. They came in with the wrong approach, and then looked foolish by getting caught up in a fight at the end of the game.
