Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers Preview

With a 1-1-1 start on the field, the Pittsburgh Steelers have not been at their best so far, and they simply have to improve. However, if we are being honest, their on-field issues are probably the least of their worries as they look to resolve the Le’Veon Bell problem, which looks likely to end with a trade for the star running back. A move away for Bell will solve the problem straight away, but it is a disappointing end for the Steelers. Bell could have been their lead back for the next few seasons.

The Baltimore Ravens come into this game with a 2-1 record in what has been a good start, with a big win over Buffalo and a good win against Denver. Sandwiched in between those was a defeat on the road to Cincinnati, so they are aiming to pick up their first road win of the season here. The Steelers began the season with a tough draw against the Cleveland Browns before losing a shootout to the Chiefs and then beating the Bucs in another high-scoring game.

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To finally get a win on the board will have eased the Steelers and their nerves, but they have to concentrate on what is happening on the field, and not the off-field antics. This is not easy to do, but they do have a lot of veteran talent on the roster that has to step up in situations like this. The Steelers are more than capable of not only making the playoffs, but challenging deep in them, and they have to start showing form that represents that.

When comparing the two teams on paper, the Steelers should have enough in the locker room to record a comfortable victory here, even without the services of Le’Veon Bell. Ben Roethlisberger is a top-tier quarterback and despite their troubles so far, he has already thrown for 1140 yards. More of that from him and things will eventually click into place for the Steelers. The off-field problems still hang over the franchise though, and this is something that is preventing them from solely focusing on football.

I think the Steelers will win this one, and I am backing them to do so, but we will not see them at their best. This will be them scraping through by a small margin, rather than dominating the game and winning easily like they should.