Steelers-Ravens: 5 Things

By: Donny Chedrick 
Another fun week of "AFC North football," as Ben Roethlisberger would say. Sunday night turned out to be another good one for the Steelers. They came from behind yet again in the 39-38 win over Baltimore to clinch the division for the third time in four seasons. The first game without Ryan Shazier proved to test the defense, but the only thing that mattered, in the end, was the final score. This week, it is time for a showdown with the 10-3 New England Patriots to decide who has control of the AFC. But before that, let's take a look at the victory that clinched the AFC North.

1. Big Ben makes history

Photo creds to Steel City Underground

Ben Roethlisberger threw the ball 66 times Sunday. He completed 44 of those passes for 506 yards and two touchdowns. Five-hundred and six yards. Big Ben became the first QB in history to throw for 500 yards not once, not twice but three times in his career. Lately, Roethlisberger has looked like a different player and not like a guy ready to call it quits after this season. If Big Ben can stay in this kind of groove for the remainder of the year the "old cowboy" might be taking a ride to Minnesota in early February.

2. AB

Photo creds to goingfor2.com

It's never happened in NFL history, but is Antiono Brown a favorite to win league MVP? Brown hauled in 11 catches for 213 yards Sunday night, which put him at 99 receptions on the season. Brown is currently in unprecedented territory as he will become the first wide receiver in NFL history with the numbers he has accumulated over the five-year span. To me, he is an MVP possibility with his 99 catches for 1509 yards on the season with nine touchdowns.


3. Defensive struggles

Photo creds to BetsApi

 Without Ryan Shazier, the Steelers defensive unit noticeably struggled. As the best player on the defense, it creates a hole as Sean Spence and Arthur Moats tried filling in. The Steelers struggled to stop the run Sunday night. Alex Collins ran free on several occasions, totaling 120 yards on 18 carries. The Ravens as a team ran for 152 yards on 26 attempts. The struggle against the run needs to be fixed for Sunday against the Patriots, or else it will create several issues for the defense as a whole.

4. Joe Haden return

Photo creds to Behind the Steel Curtain

After missing roughly a month with a broken leg, cornerback Joe Haden could return to action Sunday, which could prove to be vital for the defense. With the Steelers secondary having a few struggles the last few games, getting Haden back will secure a defense that needs the help when the team welcomes New England to Heinz Field.Although the Steelers lost Ryan Shazier, Haden has been a guy that has been one of the more valuable defensive players throughout the season.


5. Boswell does it...AGAIN 

Photo creds to WPXI.com

This seems like it is becoming a point every week, but Chris Boswell once again pulled through as the clutch hero en route to a Steelers win as he connected on all four of his field goal attempts. The game-winner with under a minute to go moved the Steelers to 11-2 and won the AFC North for the second straight year against the Ravens. Fans have criticized Pittsburgh at times for how often the team can't get into the end zone, but having a reliable kicker like Boswell is what will come up in crunch time.

The Steelers are 11-2 and awaiting a showdown with the New England Patriots on Sunday at Heinz Field for a chance to control their own destiny in the AFC. If you're not in front of your television at 4:25 on Sunday afternoon, you're in the wrong place.