The Ravens and Steelers typically play close, hard-fought, grind-it-out games.
Not today.
The Ravens beat the Steelers by 28 points, via a 35-7 outcome that does much more than hold serve in the home-and-home series. Instead, it puts the Steelers and ther rest of the AFC North on notice that the Ravens don’t plan to play road games in the playoffs this year.
Joe Flacco completed 17 of 29 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Ray Rice rushed for 107 yards, and he scored two touchdowns.
The Ravens’ defense forced seven turnovers -- three interceptions and four fumbles. Two of the fumbles came from Ben Roethsliberger, giving him a Delhommian five turnovers.
Though there’s still a long way to go, the Ravens surely hope this game sets the tone for 2011. If it does, a 28-point win over the defending conference champion could make it hard for the next conference champion to be any team other than the Ravens.