BALTIMORE (Map, News) - When Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians spoke to the Pittsburgh media this week, he had one guarantee for tonight's showdown with the Ravens at Heinz Field in front of a national television audience at 8:30.
?We're going to run the football,? he said, ?make no bones about it.?
But when the Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan was told of Arians? promise, he replied: ?If he ran it himself, we would kick his [butt]. But, we'll find out when his team runs it. It's Pittsburgh. It's about being physical, so bring it on and we'll see who's the most physical.?
The Steelers (5-2) feature Willie Parker ?the NFL's second leading rushing with 726 yards ? but the odds of Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throwing more passes increased when the Ravens (4-3) announced Saturday both of their starting cornerbacks are expected to sit out tonight's game.
Season could be on the line tonight
Chris McAlister continues to rest a knee strain while Samari Rolle once again suffered side effects from medication taken for an undisclosed illness he had in September. Rolle missed three games while recovering from the medication for the illness before he returned three weeks ago against the St. Louis Rams.
Rolle?s recurring health problems could not have come at a worse time. The Ravens were hoping to enter Monday's game relatively healthy and were expecting the return of starting defensive end Trevor Pryce, quarterback Steve McNair, left offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and tight end Todd Heap.
?Everybody's really flying around,? Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said before Rolle?s setback. ?[We] feel good. And, I think that's the most exciting part right now. Now, we've finally got all our people back.?
Ravens coach Brian Billick said Corey Ivy and Derrick Martin would take McAlister and Rolle?s place what is the team?s biggest game of the first half of the season.
"I've been waiting for this since I was a little guy,? Martin said of his first start. ?To go out that tunnel knowing that I'm starting, it's going to be a blast."
Should the Ravens lose, they would fall two games behind the Steelers in the standings, but a win could vault them into a tie for the AFC North.
?They've got the No. 1 defense; we've got the No. 2 defense,? Lewis said. ?It's going to be one of those classic games. You have to appreciate where you are right now in the season.?
baltimoreexaminer