SCOUTING REPORT
Ravens run offense vs. Steelers run defense -- STEELERS
Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was held to a season-low 34 yards rushing two months ago against Pittsburgh. But Lewis believes he can run on the Steelers, who boast the league's top run defense. The Ravens' best chance at establishing a ground game is pounding the middle to avoid Pittsburgh outside linebackers Jason Gildon and Joey Porter. The key inside is Ravens center Mike Flynn against stout nose tackle Casey Hampton. The Steelers have limited the opposition's top running back to an average of 22 rushing yards the past three games.
Key stat: 3.8. Lewis' average yards per carry in three games against the Steelers.
Ravens pass offense vs. Steelers pass defense -- STEELERS
The Ravens have to find a way to handle Pittsburgh's pressure. Even without injured starting cornerback Chad Scott, the Steelers are expected to press the Ravens' receivers at the line of scrimmage and use an assortment of up-the-middle blitzes to attack quarterback Jeff Blake. The Steelers have registered 19 sacks over the past four weeks, while the Ravens have provided adequate protection. Blake, though, has yet to shine against top-notch defenses and doesn't have many options. Tight end Todd Heap, the Ravens' only dependable receiver, will face numerous double teams with inside linebacker Kendrell Bell and safety Lee Flowers following him. Deshea Townsend, who relies more on speed than size, will start in place of Scott.
Key stat: 53. Percent of Blake's passes completed in five losses this season, compared to 57 percent in four wins.
Steelers run offense vs. Ravens run defense -- EVEN
Running back Jerome Bettis is questionable with a knee injury, but the Ravens usually have more problems with Amos Zereoue. The Steelers will try to use a lot of misdirection plays to get the Ravens moving and open up running lanes. The Ravens have only allowed one running back (New Orleans' Deuce McAllister) to surpass 70 yards rushing in their past five games. Ravens defensive end Adalius Thomas has to create penetration against left tackle Wayne Gandy, who has slumped recently. The Ravens are giving up 3.7 yards per carry, which is second best in the NFL.
Key stat: 96. Average combined rushing yards by Bettis and Zereoue over the past five weeks.
Steelers pass offense vs. Ravens pass defense -- STEELERS
The Ravens cannot allow quarterback Tommy Maddox to find his rhythm the way he did two months ago. He completed his first 11 passes for 125 yards and two touchdown passes to receiver Plaxico Burress. But the Ravens' pass rush remains nonexistent and hasn't generated more than two sacks in six games. Ravens cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Gary Baxter can't become so obsessed about covering Burress that they forget about Pro Bowl receiver Hines Ward. Their secondary is reeling after allowing the Browns to march 92 yards for the game-winning score in the final two minutes of last Sunday's game.
Key stat: 63. Percent of passes completed by Steelers quarterbacks against the Ravens over the past four meetings (73-for-115).
Special teams -- EVEN
Steelers returner Antwaan Randle El is dangerous, but the Ravens contained him the last time. The Ravens' Dave Zastudil is tied for the league lead with 30 punts inside the 20-yard line, and kicker Matt Stover has converted six straight field-goal attempts, including two beyond 40 yards. The Steelers' new punter, Tom Rouen, averaged 45 yards in his Pittsburgh debut, and kicker Jeff Reed has hit 15 of 17 field-goal tries.
Intangibles -- STEELERS
The Ravens are on an emotional low after falling apart late in last Sunday's loss to Cleveland. The NFL's youngest team is primed for a letdown in a draining season. The Steelers are not likely to let up heading into the playoffs against an AFC North rival.
Prediction -- STEELERS
The toughest part of the Ravens' complicated playoff picture is them winning in Pittsburgh. Look for all the pieces to fall into place but the Ravens fail to uphold their end of the scenario. Steelers, 24-10.
BREAK DOWN
Records
Ravens 7-8 Steelers 9-5-1
Line
Steelers by 7 1/2
Vs. spread
Ravens 9-6 Steelers 5-9-1
Series
Steelers lead 10-4
Last meeting
Steelers won, 31-18, on Oct. 27 at Ravens Stadium.
NFL rankings
Ravens offense: Rush (16), pass (29), overall (27).
Ravens defense: Rush (11), pass (25), overall (19).
Steelers offense: Rush (9), pass (6), overall (5).
Steelers defense: Rush (1), pass (17), overall (5).
Quick hits
Five of the past seven meetings have been decided by seven points or fewer.
The road team has won the past seven meetings.
Steelers lead the AFC in takeways (32) and giveaways (34).
Steelers have won seven division titles under coach Bill Cowher.
Ravens are 7-1 when forcing multiple turnovers.
Ravens TE Todd Heap has at least three receptions in 13 of 15 games.
Injuries
RAVENS: Questionable: RB Dameon Hunter (neck); TE Terry Jones (thigh); CB Tom Knight (thigh); QB Chris Redman (back). Probable: RB Sam Gash (leg); WR Randy Hymes (thigh); DE Adalius Thomas (thigh).
STEELERS: Out: CB Chad Scott (hand). Questionable: RB Jerome Bettis (knee); LB James Farrior (shoulder); S Mike Logan (back); QB Tommy Maddox (ankle). Probable: WR Lee Mays (shoulder).
STARTING LINEUPS
Ravens offense
WR 89 Travis Taylor
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 81 Randy Hymes
QB 11 Jeff Blake
FB 39 Alan Ricard
RB 31 Jamal Lewis
Steelers defense
DE 91 Aaron Smith
NT 98 Casey Hampton
DE 67 K. Von Oelhoffen
OLB 92 Jason Gildon
ILB 51 James Farrior
ILB 97 Kendrell Bell
OLB 55 Joey Porter
CB 26 D. Townsend
CB 20 D. Washington
FS 27 Brent Alexander
SS 41 Lee Flowers
Steelers offense
WR 80 Plaxico Burress
LT 72 Wayne Gandy
LG 66 Alan Faneca
C 64 Jeff Hartings
RG 73 Kendall Simmons
RT 77 Marvel Smith
TE 84 Jerame Tuman
WR 86 Hines Ward
QB 8 Tommy Maddox
RB 36 Jerome Bettis
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 20 Ed Reed
FS 42 Anthony Mitchell
INSIDE SLANT
George Kokinis, the Ravens' assistant director of player personnel, sizes up the Steelers:
Strength
Linebackers. When they are at full strength, they have speed, strength and a great feel for the blitz. James Farrior is questionable with a shoulder injury. Kendrell Bell is back after season-long ankle and abdomen injuries. Joey Porter is having a Pro Bowl year. And Jason Gildon is coming on as he usually does late in the year.
Key matchup
Ravens defensive end Tony Weaver vs. Steelers right tackle Marvel Smith. Weaver is coming off his best game against the Browns' Ryan Tucker. It'll be interesting to see if he can put more pressure on the quarterback. He's developed more of a variety of pass rush moves and he's playing the run well.
Play to watch
Split Right Zing Quick Sprint 17. It's one of the Steelers' go-to pass plays on the goal line. The formation has two receivers split to the left side and the tight end lined next to the right tackle. Receiver Hines Ward motions to the right side and runs a quick, flat route to the right sideline. The tight end goes on a corner route to the right side. On a sprint-out to the right side, quarterback Tommy Maddox will look first to Ward, who usually beats the corner to the flat.