Category: 2020 Steelers vs. Ravens NFL Week 8

Behind enemy lines: 5 questions with Ravens Wire

Steelers Wire reaches out to their friends at Ravens Wire for the inside scoop on the game this week.

If you want the inside scoop on the Baltimore Ravens, you’ve come to the right place. This week the Pittsburgh Steelers are taking on the Ravens so we reached out to our friend Matt Stevens at Ravens Wire to give us his perspective on this week’s game.

[vertical-gallery id=480116]

[listicle id=480094]

Steelers vs Ravens injury update: WR Diontae Johnson full participant

Steelers Wire takes a look at the highlights of Thursday practice for the Steelers and Ravens.

The Pittsburgh Steelers put out the Thursday practice report and it was a mix of good news and bad news. Pittsburgh is preparing to go on the road to take on the 5-1 Baltimore Ravens this week so getting healthy is a top priority.

Here is the full practice report from Thursday:

DL Chris Wormley (Knee) DNP

LB Ulysees Gilbert III (Back) DNP

S Jordan Dangerfield (Quad) DNP

FB Derek Watt (Hamstring) LP

CB Mike Hilton (Shoulder) LP

Everyone else of note including wide receiver Diontae Johnson who is dealing with a toe injury was a full participant. If Wormley misses the game on Sunday, look for Isaiah Buggs to get more reps and if Hilton can’t go, it will be Cameron Sutton in his spot again this week.

Of note for the Ravens, cornerback Jimmy Smith and running back Mark Ingram both missed practice. On the other side of things, cornerback Marlon Humphrey was a full participant.

[vertical-gallery id=480153]

[listicle id=480094]

Steelers’ DT Tyson Alualu talks ‘old school, hard-nosed’ football

The Steelers defensive tackle has a good answer for why the Steelers and Ravens have been so dominant over the years.

Sunday’s showdown will not only be epic because the Steelers and Ravens are two powerhouse defenses, but because they’ve been among the best for years.

When ESPN’s Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor asked the traits of a truly successful defense, even as players and coaches change, tackle Tyson Alualu answered simply, “It’s that old school, hard-nosed football. Both teams, both organizations pride themselves on that.”

Hard-nosed has been their signature style for decades. More recently, since 2015, the Steelers have averaged 10th in both points and yards allowed. This season, the defense leaped to sixth and first, respectively.

The Ravens have averaged ninth in points allowed and sixth in yards allowed during that same span. This season, the defense is first in points and ninth in yards.

And so, four days from now, the Steelers with sixth-most points scored will go head-to-head versus the defense allowing the least.

Expect a knock-down-drag-out battle in Baltimore on Sunday — as if you weren’t already.

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference

[vertical-gallery id=469887]

[lawrence-related id=480207]

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin on the defense: ‘If they can’t score, you can’t lose’

Here we talk about the comments Steelers head coach made about his defense.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the best all-around defenses in the NFL this season. A fact not lost on head coach Mike Tomlin. During his Tuesday press conference, Tomlin gave everyone one of his famous Tomlin-isms in reference to the defense.

“We have a commitment here,” said Tomlin. “If they can’t score, you can’t lose.”

Well said, coach.

Last week, the Steelers defense was literally all or nothing. In the first half against the Tennessee Titans they were lights on. Snuffing out the run and forcing the Titans into bad situations.

Then in the second half, the unit looked gassed, didn’t play with the same intensity and allowed the Titans to come almost all the way back. The Steelers defense has been great but the mark of a truly elite defense is playing 60-minute football every week. Something Pittsburgh has to do this week against the Baltimore Ravens.

[vertical-gallery id=479839]

[listicle id=480019]

Steelers vs Ravens injury updates: DL Chris Wormley to have MRI on knee

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the media about the Steelers injuries heading into the week.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media on Tuesday to update everyone on the team’s injury situation heading into Baltimore Ravens week.

According to Tomlin, fullback Derek Watt and cornerback Mike Hilton who both missed last week’s game with the Tennessee Titans could find their way back to the field this week. The Steelers really missed Hilton last week and would be a welcome addition back.

The biggest news from the update is about defensive tackle Chris Wormley. Tomlin said Wormley is getting an MRI on his knee. If Wormley is out that would likely mean Henry Mondeaux is in the mix again this week and the defensive front takes a hit.

Tomlin also noted that safety Jordan Dangerfield has a quad injury and could be limited early in the week.

[vertical-gallery id=479839]

[listicle id=480019]

Steelers 5-point underdogs against the Ravens

Steelers Wire takes a look at the current betting line between the Steelers and Ravens.

The Steelers might just be the best team in the NFL. They are the only undefeated team left in the league at 6-0 and just won a huge road game against the Tennessee Titans.

But the gamblers aren’t so convinced. According to BetMGM, Pittsburgh is currently a five-point road underdog against the Baltimore Ravens this weekend. The line actually started at 5.5 points but has come down.

Why are the undefeated Steelers not favorites? Well, Baltimore is a tough place to play and the Ravens are a very talented team. In addition, Baltimore is coming off of their bye week which should help them be more rested and ready for this game.

Nevertheless, don’t be shocked if this line comes down even further as the weekend approaches. The Steelers are a very good football team and have proven this season with the return of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger they can find ways to beat any team even when things aren’t optimal.

[vertical-gallery id=479839]

[lawrence-related id=479832]