The Steelers averaged 61 rushing yards per game through their first five games this year.
They’ve run for 82 in the first half against the Ravens, allowing them to hold onto the ball for more than 17 minutes and helping them to a 10-6 lead at the half. Rookie Le’Veon Bell has 68 yards on 12 carries and Ben Roethlisberger has been efficient while completing 10-of-13 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Roethlisberger hit Heath Miller for that touchdown, but the tight end blundered later in the half to help the Ravens cut the lead. Miller fumbled after a catch and safety Matt Elam recovered to get the Ravens the ball in Pittsburgh territory. As has been the story throughout the game, the Ravens couldn’t generate much of anything on offense and Justin Tucker’s field goal was all they could get.
The Ravens have converted just two of their six third downs with a sack and a stuff of Bernard Pierce on third-and-1 accounting for two of the failures. Ravens-Steelers games tend to turn on plays like that, so Baltimore will have to make a few of them if they want to leave Pittsburgh with a win on Sunday.