In all seriousness, if the circumstances hold up, I see a blowout in the works.

[The Excellector]

If it holds up (Not that I wish injury upon anybody) that Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown will be ruled out Sunday night, I see the Sunday Night game ending in a blowout.

Ben Roethlisberger is the largest portion of the issue, but not the only issue.

Dick LeBeau sets up his run defense in a way that there is usually one hole that can be broken through, if it is exploited by an offense. However, since Troy Polamalu is so explosive and reliable in run defense, LeBeau often uses Polamalu to plug that hole. More often than not, Troy Polamalu gets through that hole before the RB does.

Troy is now out. The last time the Ravens played that defense without him, Joe threw for two TDs that should have been three, if it weren't for Derrick Mason allowing a pass to bounce off of his facemask in the end zone (2009).

Troy's absence, in particular, is going to put Pittsburgh in a 'pick your poison' situation, where they will likely choose to make Flacco be that poison.

Now, not only could you be missing Troy's presence in run defense and in blitzing, but you could be missing Ryan Clark on the back end. This means that they'll be without both of their starting safeties, which will really effect the effectiveness of their blitzes. If they blitz with the safeties deep, Joe can hit the TEs. If they blitz with the safeties, Joe should have one on one over the top.

I will admit that Pittsburgh is getting better CB play these days. So, this is where Pittsburgh could hold up. I just don't see Ike Taylor being able to shut down Torrey Smith. Smith gave Taylor problems the last time these two teams played. I will say that Keenan Lewis could probably be effective against Jacoby Jones.

Joe Flacco is going against a team that he has now had some success against, in a venue where he has had success with more difficult circumstances. I don't think the Ravens normal road woes on offense will apply.

In all seriousness, I really think this will be a blowout.

[Dade]

Even with all of that I have a hard time seeing a blowout. I think the Ravens will win, but it won't be a repeat of week 1 or the Oakland game.

[ravenjoe]

Remember, this is the #1 D in the NFL you are talking about; the Steelers have a solid run game; and 'road warriors' the Ravens are NOT!

[Sua Sponte]

Remember, this is the #1 D in the NFL you are talking about; the Steelers have a solid run game; and 'road warriors' the Ravens are NOT!

Their D is overratted and pending on what stat you are looking at SI.com has them at 7. Look who they have played... O ranks (**)
Jets (24)
Raiders (20) {L}
Skins (11) can't even beat bad teams
Eagles (29)
Titans (19) {L}
Chiefs (30)

The only 2 legit teams they played are the Broncos (2) {L} and Giants (9) {W} {on decline since the Skins game 2 weeks prior to playing Steelers} and (who are not looking good right now)

Not exactly world beater Offenses there.

If there is a game our D turns it around which it seems they have been the last 2 games it is this one.
This might turn into a slober knocker if our O decides not to show up.
EDIT 1:
Stand By on these ranks SI ranks are by points per game, when I seen us ranked at 13 I had to look deeper.
EDIT 2:
Upon further review, just my O2, points allowed are more important than yards allowed per game. Yards don't mean shit if the team is not putting points on the board. If a team puts up 600 yards and kicks 4 FG's and you put up 200 yards and score 2 TD's guess who the winner is.... Take it for what it is.

[callahan09]

Remember, this is the #1 D in the NFL you are talking about; the Steelers have a solid run game; and 'road warriors' the Ravens are NOT!

Only 7 out of 31 other teams in the NFL have a better road winning percentage than the Ravens this season, right now.

Last year only 12 of 31 teams won more road games.

In 2010 only 9 teams won more. Only 2 teams won more if you include the post-season.

In 2009 only 13 teams won more. Only 9 teams won more if you include the post-season.

In 2008 only 5 teams won more. NO teams won more (or even as many) if you include the post-season.

In recent times (since 2010), we have won 12 road games, including the post-season, only 5 teams have won more.

Going all the way back to the beginning of the Flacco-Harbaugh era (since 2008), the Ravens have won 23 road games, including post-season, second only to the New York Giants.

And you know, we should be 3-1 on the road this year, because we only lost in Philly due to some obviously and ridiculously awful and unfair officiating from the replacements.

[Boulderraven]

Blowout? Ravens crushed Oakland and you think this will be a blowout. RAVENS games (80%) are decided in the final few minutes. I see the same thing in this game. Ravens are an above average team (playoff caliber) not a great team by any means for lots of reasons. Nail biter as always.

[Bhcforlife]

If all things went right, it could be a blowout, but it won't be, and I'll tell you why.

In every road game this year, the offensive line has been horrid. In the two losses, they were atrocious, in the two wins, they did everything they could to try and blow the two games. Now, they are playing in the toughest environment they have yet, under lights in front of a juiced crowd, against a bunch of guys who have traditionally given this offensive line fits.

Everyone wants to talk about Ben not being there and Byron, Brown and Polamalu, but the deciding factor of this game is going to be the offensive lines, and frankly, I have zero faith in our offensive line being able to protect Joe long enough for him to get the ball to the holes that will be there.

Not saying Ravens won't win, but a blowout? Nah...

[bacchys]

Remember, this is the #1 D in the NFL you are talking about; the Steelers have a solid run game; and 'road warriors' the Ravens are NOT!

We have been in Pittsburgh the last couple of years.

[Sua Sponte]

I think it is still somewhat of a tight game, maybe win by 10 atmost. I think while the O will do decent that Cam is not going to attempt to take to many risks with Steelers O not playing well, they didn't really play well prior to Ben getting injuried. I think the middle of the D is the weak spot and running to the right, KC with Charles was exploiting that with a dose of Hillis (Pierce in our case) up the middle for 4-5 gasher. I think Pitts D will try to play lights out in this game and take some risks because that is what is going to be the diference maker.

[Dirt1]

I don't see a blowout at all. I think the Ravens will win, but it will be a relatively close game. At most a 10 point win. I say that because the Steelers defense is still very good, and they have been able to run the ball between the tackles, which is where the Ravens have been vulnerable all season. The question will be how much pressure can the Ravens put on Leftwich. If they can get to him, he will make mistakes, but if he has all day to throw the ball he should be able to do some damage.

[Paintballguy]

I have a feeling Rice will have a good day. They just need to run to Ziggy Hood's side. He has been absolutely terrible.

[Tyrian]

In all seriousness, you're grossly underestimating how difficult it is to win on the road. Even sans Ben, the Steelers aren't a walkover.

If it is a blowout, then I'll be cheering to the rafters... but I'll take any win, even a 1 point ugly win. Who cares.