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Steelers-Ravens: Live chat, updates and analysis
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Ray Fittipaldo
5:56
Welcome and let's get the chat started.
JR from Crafton
5:56
To me the biggest game changer that has happened yet is Zay Flowers being out. That's a huge Steelers advantage. I don't think anyone who picked the Ravens to win really accounted for his absence. DraftKings put the first line out at 7.5, I know it's grown since but I feel Ravens -7.5 is a more accurate way to frame the matchup and is indicitive of a one-score game and down to the wire finish.

JR, from Crafton where we boast "Cowher Way" as an official street, predicts the Steelers will win 19 18 HEREWEGOSTEELERSHEREWEGO
Ray Fittipaldo
5:58
Flowers is a big loss for the Ravens, but I will point out they scored 35 points against the Browns last week in the game when Flowers was injured. This team goes as Lamar Jackson goes. He's the engine. If he plays well he'll find his other receivers and tight ends. If he doesn't play well -- and that's been the case in more than a few playoff games -- then the Steelers will have a chance.
RJ
5:59
I think since Flowers is out, the Steelers should play 7 in the box and man up the tight ends and their other receivers on occasion. This ignorer to slow down Henry. Once Henry go's out the Ravens usually pass. Then I would go back to rushing 4 and playing Bateman man while doubling Andrews on passing downs. Have Porter man up on Bateman. This is going to indicate a ton of single high. Now they have to be aware of Jackson running. So, it could be the cat and mouse game ALL night.
Ray Fittipaldo
6:00
The Steelers' defensive game plan against the Ravens is always to stop the run first. They didn't do that on Dec. 21, and the game got away from them in the second half. In order for the Steelers to keep this game close they'll need to keep Henry in check. When the Steelers have had success against the Ravens they force Jackson to pass and make plays against him.
Flock guy
6:01
Ravens fan here. Super nervous playing y’all. Think the 4 game losing streak is overblown cause yall couldn’t have played 4 harder teams. Playoffs provide an invigorated purpose. All it takes is a few plays. Esp in the afc north. Hope you don’t shut andrews down too much.
Ray Fittipaldo
6:03
The four-game stretch to end the season was extremely difficult, but I think the reason there isn't much confidence in the Steelers right now is how they lost those games. There were blown coverages, three double-digit losses and to end the regular season a home loss to a team with a terrible defense. The defense fixed some of their issues against the Bengals last week, but the jury is still very much out on this offense. Scoring 17 points tonight isn't going to cut it.
6:05
In case you missed it earlier, the Steelers activated OL Calvin Anderson to the 53-man roster. He had been on IR. They also elevated WR Scotty Miller and WR Jamal Agnew from the practice squad. We'll find out at 6:30 or so who is active and who is inactive.
Takoma Tom
6:05
Does Tomlin have a job for life?  It seems as if it’s going to take something really big to get rid of him.
Ray Fittipaldo
6:07
Six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick didn't have a job for life. No one does, but I will point out that Tomlin has two years remaining on his contract. The Steelers do not typically fire coaches with years left on their contracts.
6:10
The Texans scored the final 10 points of the first half and take a 10-6 lead into halftime in the AFC's 4-5 game.
Guest
6:12
I think Pickens is a head case and giving him a contract extension before next year would be a fiasco.  However, to win this game, we have to throw it to him early and often.   Besides 4 turnovers and a pick six from our D, is there any other way we can win this game?
Ray Fittipaldo
6:14
Pickens traditionally does very well against the Ravens so I agree with you they need to get him involved early. It's so obvious, but for the Steelers to win this game they need to get off to a good start. They can't fall behind 21-0 like they seem to do in every playoff game in recent years. If they can keep it close at halftime I like their chances, but that would mean a whole heck of a lot that was going wrong in the final month has been rectified. I have my doubts, but that's why they play the games!
Guest
6:19
I suppose you are right, a ground it out, mud game could work as well.
Brian Batko
6:21
Hi everyone
Offensive line coach Pat Meyer having a warmup chat right now with starting right guard Mason McCormick, who has his broken left hand in a splint/brace. I don't think McCormick will play tonight, but we'll see. He's a tough dude and surely wants to give it a go for his first playoff game.
Stash
6:22
Fellers, T or F: We saw this season why the dirty birds were not exactly devasted at the departure of The Queenster?
Ray Fittipaldo
6:23
I thought it took some time for Queen to adjust to his new team. Not an easy situation being thrust into the middle of a veteran defense as the green dot guy -- the main communicator on the defense. I thought he settled in by the middle of the year. Listen, everyone on defense had some issues in the four-game losing streak to end the season. I don't think his 2024 season was as bad as some make it out to be.
Doubtful Optimist
6:23
What's with the back and forth with Scotty Miller this week?
Brian Batko
6:24
It was pretty much a procedural move. They will need Calvin Anderson as the 8th O-lineman if McCormick is out but because he's on IR, they needed to clear a 53-man roster spot. Miller is still available to them now as a practice squad elevation.
Jim
6:24
Hi Ray. I for one feel that the Ravens were the much better playoff opportunity for the Steelers this week. Watching the Texans/Chargers CJ Stroud is being very resilient, the Texans D is stout and i think the Texans coaching would run circles around Tomlin. I am convinced the Steelers defensive scheme would have let Stroud to settle in and pick the DB’s to pieces. At least with the Ravens our schemes - however deficient - have proven to be competitive. What are your thoughts
Ray Fittipaldo
6:26
The Chargers had a chance to get up big on the Texans early in that game and blew it. Now it's a game. The Texans were not playing well to end the regular season. They were very much in the same boat as the Steelers. I thought the Steelers would have a better chance to win in Houston, but I get where you're coming from with the familiarity with the Ravens. As Mike Tomlin said: "We know them and they know us."
Doubtful Optimist
6:26
All the rumblings are that we'll see packages with Fields tonight. Any chance we see Russ and Fields out there at the same time?
Ray Fittipaldo
6:27
If you're going to burn the boats you might as well use accelerants.
Doubtful Optimist
6:29
Has Pickens been out to warm up? Any observations on his demeanor?
Brian Batko
6:29
Haven't seen him. But that's not uncommon. He's not usually out for these early warmups. Once they put the pads and jerseys and helmet on, he joins the rest of the guys.
Stash
6:30
Gents, was the Seahawks' O line known as being outstanding during Russ' cooking years?
Ray Fittipaldo
6:31
They certainly blocked well for Marshawn Lynch in the running game. Wilson was known for playing off schedule in his early years and for using his athleticism to run around and make plays. That doesn't mean they were a bad pass protecting line, but I don't think they were were dominant in that respect.
Stash
6:32
Fellers, how can TB12 be rightfully known as a brilliant QB yet come across as an absolute doofus on air?
Brian Batko
6:33
He doesn't seem comfortable in the analyst gig yet, that's for sure. Maybe because he's got the ownership stake in the Raiders, maybe because he's afraid to be too critical, or just needs more reps. Whatever it is, I agree, he doesn't offer a ton of great insights. He should go with more anecdotes like the one he told about TJ Watt the last Steelers-Ravens broadcast.
Galasso
6:34
To me, the biggest problem has been with the degenerating play of the offensive line the last four games. Yes, they lost two starters for the year at the beginning, but they didn’t play too badly. However, the last 4 games indicates otherwise. Unless the can give time for Wilson to throw, and open a few holes, this will quickly get out of hand. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
6:35
I don't disagree on either front. They haven't blocked well in the run game and the pass pro has deteriorated as well. Looks like Spencer Anderson will be in for Mason McCormick today so yet another moving part on a line that has struggled in recent weeks.
Stash
6:36
Dudes, this is shaping up as a proverbial legacy game for the eloquent one with the graying beard? Or have I had too many microbrews?
Ray Fittipaldo
6:36
Cam Heyward?
Stash
6:37
Coach T!
Ray Fittipaldo
6:37
I know. I was just joshing you.
And yes, it's an important game. One more playoff loss and the Steelers will tie the Dolphins for the longest current playoff losing streak at six games.
Doubtful Optimist
6:39
Do you know if Cam Sutton has the ability to play Safety? Seems like Beanie is a guy we want on the filed more and maybe Sutton could make some more plays in a Safety rotation.
Ray Fittipaldo
6:39
Sutton can play safety, but they have Fitzpatrick and Elliott now as starters and Kazee has played significant snaps this season. They use Sutton in a variety of roles. They like his versatility.
Doubtful Optimist
6:43
It feels like we've seen an increasing amount of caution this year. From taking it slower with injuries players as well as young/new players (Roman and Williams). Is this a new mindset? Has it always been true and I just didn't see it?
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