Thursday, September 11, 2014

M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore

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The second Thursday Night Football game of the week will take place from M&T Bank Stadium when one of the fiercest rivalries in football is renewed between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers are coming into this game with a 1-0 record after beating another division rival, the Cleveland Browns, 30-27. The Ravens are 0-1 this season after suffering a 23-16 defeat to the other team from the AFC North, the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Steelers will be led in this game, as always, by Ben Roethlisberger. In the season opener, the former Super Bowl champion threw for 365 yards and a touchdown. After a dismal 2013 season, it was a performance that Big Ben needed to have. In the rushing attack, Le’Veon Bell, the second-year player from Michigan State, ran for more than 100 yards and added a touchdown. Three wide receivers had at least 5 receptions for the Steelers including Antonio Brown (5 receptions, 116 yards, touchdown), Markus Wheaton (6 receptions, 97 yards), and Bell (6 receptions, 88 yards).

Baltimore suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of the Bengals in the season opener. Joe Flacco played well enough to get the win for the Ravens, throwing for 345 yards and a touchdown, but he couldn’t get his team in the end zone enough for the win. The rushing attack was lacking a bit, as Justin Forsett rushed for 70 yards, replacing Ray Rice in the starting lineup. Flacco has a lot of talent at wide receiver including first-year Raven, Steve Smith Sr. (7 receptions, 118 yards, 1 touchdown, and a remarkable stiff arm), Dennis Pitta (10 receptions, 83 yards), and Torrey Smith (3 receptions, 50 yards).

This will be the Ravens first game with Rice no longer on their roster, as he was released from his contract after footage of his assault was leaked to the public.

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Steelers

09/08/14 RB Dri Archer Ankle questionable Thursday vs. Baltimore
09/08/14 S Shamarko Thomas Ankle questionable Thursday vs. Baltimore
09/07/14 CB Brice McCain Groin questionable Thursday vs. Baltimore
09/07/14 WR Lance Moore Groin questionable Thursday vs. Baltimore
09/07/14 WR Martavis Bryant Shoulder questionable Thursday vs. Baltimore
09/04/14 LB Jordan Zumwalt Groin IR

Baltimore Ravens

09/08/14 RB Ray Rice Suspension has been released
09/07/14 CB Lardarius Webb Back questionable Thursday vs. Pittsburgh
09/04/14 DB Will Hill Suspension expected to miss weeks 1-6 of regular season
09/04/14 DT Terrence Cody Hip out indefinitely
09/04/14 OG Will Rackley Concussion IR
09/04/14 CB Aaron Ross Achilles IR
09/04/14 DL Brent Urban Knee IR
09/04/14 DL Kapron Lewis-Moore Achilles IR
09/04/14 WR Jeremy Butler Undisclosed IR

Tony's Pick: Take Pittsburgh

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