SCOUTING REPORT
Ravens run offense vs. Steelers run defense -- EVEN
Over the past four weeks, Ravens running back Jamal Lewis has gained at least 75 yards for the league's 18th-ranked running attack. Lewis' biggest problem has been holding onto the ball, fumbling three times in four games. The offensive line will be bolstered by the return of right tackle Ethan Brooks (back spasms), which allows Edwin Mulitalo to move back to left guard. The Steelers, who have the sixth-best run defense, have been unpredictable. After giving up 100 yards to Cleveland's Jamel White and New Orleans' Deuce McAllister, Pittsburgh has held Cincinnati's Corey Dillon and Indianapolis' Edgerrin James under 63 yards.
Key stat: 87.3. Average rushing yards allowed by the Steelers in three road games.
Ravens pass offense vs. Steelers pass defense -- STEELERS
The Ravens have the second-worst passing game in the NFL, but this lack of productivity hasn't hurt them because quarterback Chris Redman continues to play intelligently. He hasn't thrown an interception in his past 39 attempts, but his status for today's game is questionable because he reported to yesterday's walkthrough with a stiff lower back and did not practice. Veteran Jeff Blake is the backup. The Steelers' secondary has settled down after giving up 697 yards passing and four touchdowns in its first two games. The league's 25th-ranked pass defense has allowed just one quarterback to throw for more than 222 yards in its past four games. Pittsburgh rattles offenses with its pass rush, averaging 11 quarterback hits or pressures each game.
Key stat: 20. Games since Ravens' last 300-yard passing performance, the NFL's third-longest drought.
Steelers run offense vs. Ravens run defense -- STEELERS
Running back Jerome Bettis is out with a knee sprain, but the Ravens don't catch a break with backup Amos Zereoue. The four-year veteran excels at breaking to the outside, where the Ravens had trouble containing Jacksonville's Fred Taylor last week. Pittsburgh could miss center Jeff Hartings, who is out with a knee injury, more than Bettis. The Steelers' 11th-ranked ground game goes against the Ravens' 13th-ranked run defense, which could be without inside injured linebacker Ray Lewis for the third straight game. Bernardo Harris would replace Lewis. The Ravens, who are giving up 4 yards per carry, need faster pursuit to the perimeter.
Key stat: 5. Rushing touchdowns by the Steelers in their past three games.
Steelers pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense -- STEELERS
The Steelers have hit their stride with the more accurate, less mobile Tommy Maddox at quarterback. With the 16th-ranked passing attack, Pittsburgh has scored at least 28 points in each of Maddox's three starts after scoring only 37 points in three games with Kordell Stewart. Maddox's favorite target has been Plaxico Burress, connecting with the third-year receiver 21 times for 330 yards. The Ravens have the fifth-worst pass defense and have surrendered an average of 310 yards passing since coming off the bye. Still, the Ravens are dangerous to throw against, picking off 11 passes in their past four games.
Key stat: 12. Ravens' sacks over the past four games. It's an average of one sack every 17 pass plays.
Special teams -- EVEN
The past three regular-season meetings have been decided by five points or fewer, which means the kicking game could be a factor. The Ravens' Matt Stover is 9-for-11 on field goals and hasn't missed inside the 40. With J.R. Jenkins injured, Stover will handle kickoff duties again after getting just one inside the 10-yard line last week. Pittsburgh's Todd Peterson has struggled in place of the departed Kris Brown, connecting on six of 10 field goals, and hasn't gotten much distance on his kickoffs. The Steelers don't have much speed on special teams.
Key stat: 15. Punts inside the 20-yard line by the Ravens' Dave Zastudil on 36 kicks.
Intangibles -- STEELERS
The Ravens have won 18 of their past 23 home games (including playoffs), with two of those five losses coming against the Steelers. In fact, Pittsburgh has beaten the Ravens in its past five visits to Baltimore. The Steelers have won 13 of their past 14 games in October. But Pittsburgh is coming off a short week, having an away game after playing on Monday Night Football.
Prediction -- STEELERS
The Ravens are playing over their heads. The Steelers are finally playing to expectations. It won't be easy, but the Steelers will win, 27-20.
BREAK DOWN
Records
Steelers 3-3 Ravens 3-3
Line
Steelers by 2
Vs. spread
Steelers 3-3 Ravens 4-2
Series
Steelers lead 8-4
Last meeting
Steelers won, 26-21, on Dec. 16, 2001, in Baltimore.
NFL rankings
Steelers offense: Rush (11), pass (16), overall (14)
Steelers defense: Rush (6), pass (25T), overall (16)
Ravens offense: Rush (18), pass (31), overall (30)
Ravens defense: Rush (13), pass (28), overall (24)
Quick hits
Steelers have won in their past five visits to Baltimore.
Steelers WR Plaxico Burress had career-best 164 receiving yards (on eight catches) in second regular-season meeting with Ravens last season.
Ravens are 14-1 when Jamal Lewis carries 20 times or more.
Under coach Brian Billick, the Ravens are 18-9 at home.
Injuries
STEELERS: Out: RB Jerome Bettis (knee); C Jeff Hartings (knee). Doubtful: TE Jerame Tuman (quadriceps). Questionable: TE John Allred (calf). Probable: DE Rodney Bailey (ribs); C Mike Schneck (elbow); T Marvel Smith (knee).
RAVENS: Doubtful: DE Michael McCrary (knee). Questionable: QB Chris Redman (back); K J.R. Jenkins (leg); LB Ray Lewis (shoulder). Probable: T Ethan Brooks (back/knee); G Jason Thomas (calf).
STARTING LINEUPS
Ravens offense
WR 80 Brandon Stokley
LT 75 Jonathan Ogden
LG 64 Edwin Mulitalo, C 62 Mike Flynn
RG 66 Bennie Anderson
RT 77 Ethan Brooks
TE 86 Todd Heap
WR 89 Travis Taylor
QB 7 Chris Redman
FB 39 Alan Ricard
RB 31 Jamal Lewis
Steelers defense
DE 91 Aaron Smith
NT 98 Casey Hampton
DE 67 Kimo Von Oelhoffen
OLB 92 Jason Gildon
ILB 51 James Farrior
ILB 50 Larry Foote
OLB 55 Joey Porter
CB 30 Chad Scott
CB 20 Dewayne Washington
FS 27 Brent Alexander
SS 41 Lee Flowers
Steelers offense
WR 80 Plaxico Burress
LT 72 Wayne Gandy
LG 66 Alan Faneca
C 56 Chukky Okobi
RG 73 Kendall Simmons
RT 77 Marvel Smith
TE 87 Mark Bruener
WR 86 Hines Ward
QB 8 Tommy Maddox
RB 21 Amos Zereoue
FB 35 Dan Kreider
Ravens defense
LE 98 Tony Weaver
NT 97 Kelly Gregg
RE 96 Adalius Thomas
OLB 90 Cornell Brown
ILB 56 Ed Hartwell
ILB 51 Bernardo Harris
OLB 58 Peter Boulware
CB 21 Chris McAlister
CB 28 Gary Baxter
SS 47 Will Demps
FS 20 Ed Reed
INSIDE SLANT
George Kokinis, the Ravens' assistant director of player personnel, sizes up the Steelers:
Strength
Depth. At quarterback, they have Kordell Stewart and Charlie Batch behind Tommy Maddox. When running back Jerome Bettis goes down, they have Amos Zereoue and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala. Zereoue is fast and compact and turns conservative plays into big plays. On the offensive line, Chukky Okobi goes in for Jeff Hartings. Okobi can do a serviceable job and is confident, even though he hasn't played much.
Key matchup
Ravens nickel back James Trapp vs. Steelers No. 3 receiver Antwaan Randle El. It's a contrast of styles. Trapp is the big, physical type. Randle El is the quick, small and elusive player. The rookie receiver is third on the Steelers with 20 catches.
Play to watch
Fake 50 Slide, Screen Left. It's a short pass play that could yield big yards because of its double fakes. First, Maddox fakes a handoff to Zereoue, who goes off tackle left and acts like a blocker. Maddox then fakes a reverse to receiver Hines Ward, who runs right. After the Steelers' second fake, Zereoue slips out to the left flat where he is open for a screen pass. Once he catches the ball, he should have his fullback, center and the right guard in front of him blocking.