Perhaps the best NFL game this week happens Sunday night. The Pittsburgh Steelers head south to take on the Baltimore Ravens in a match-up predicted to be dominated by defense.

The Ravens and Steelers are tied for the AFC North lead with an 8-3 record. Both defenses have been outstanding. The Ravens have given up a measly 188 points and the Steelers 181.

If the Steelers win, they would own the tiebreaker – for now- due to the Ravens division loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2.

In the first meeting on Oct 3, the Ravens won 17-14 at Heinz Field, but that was without Ben Roethlisberger, who missed the first 4 games of the 2010 NFL season to do a league suspension.

But in the second meeting on Sunday, Big Ben is expected to play even though he has a sprained right foot he suffered in last week’s game against Buffalo.

In the first meeting, the Ravens were without safety Ed Reed, who has 4 interceptions and a forced fumble since returning from a hip injury in late October.

Offensively, the Ravens have scored 250 points, averaging 22.7 points per game. The Steelers have score 254 and are averaging 23.1 ppg.

The Ravens are 5-0 at home while the Steelers are 5-1 away. Both are 2-1 in their division and 6-2 in the AFC.

The Steelers offensive leaders are QB Ben Roethlisberger (137-220, 1825 yards, 12 TDs), running back Rashad Mendenhall (238 carries, 962 yards, 9 TDs) and wide receiver Mike Wallace (36 rec, 792 yds, 8 TDs).

The Ravens offense is lead by QB Joe Flacco (231-365, 2722 yds, 18 TDs), running back Ray Rice (204 carries, 815 yds, 3 TDs) and wide receiver Anquan Boldin (51 rec, 652 yds, 6 TDs).

PACKERS FALCONS: GAME DAY PARTICULARS
Visitors	Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Home	Baltimore Ravens (8-3)
When	Sunday Dec 6 08:20 pm EST
Where	M&T Stadium, Baltimore, MD
TV COVERAGE	NBC
WEATHER	42º/32º 10% Precip
Favorite	Ravens -3
Under/Over	40

STEELERS RAVENS TRENDS AGAINST THE SPREAD (ATS)

STEELERS RAVENS AVERAGES
Both teams are very evenly matched offensively and defensively. However, the Steelers show an advantage in defense against the rush (64 yds per game vs. 101)

Pittsburgh OFFENSE		Baltimore DEFENSE
Rush Yds/Gms	126.0	Rush Yds/Gms	101.7
Pass Yds/Gms	208.5	Pass Yds/Gms	205.6
Tot Yds/Gms	334.0	Tot Yds/Gms	307.4

Baltimore OFFENSE		Pittsburgh DEFENSE
Rush Yds/Gms	114.4	Rush Yds/Gms	64.0
Pass Yds/Gms	233.9	Pass Yds/Gms	240.5
Tot Yds/Gms	348.0	Tot Yds/Gms	304.5

STEELERS RAVENS INJURIES
The Baltimore Ravens Offensive left tackle Michael Oher has a sprained right knee but is expected to play and fullback Le’Ron McClain is doubtful after spraining his ankle last week.

Perhaps the bigger story regarding Baltimore’s injury report is on defense. Two of the Ravens safeties are questionable; Dawan Landry (concussion) and Tom Zbikowski (heel).

STEELERS RAVENS GAME PREDICTION
Both teams are evenly matched, have great defenses and better-than-average quarterbacks.
Expect Joe Flacco and Ray Lewis to lead the Ravens in a low scoring win.

RAVENS 21, STEELERS 17

Sources: espn.com New York Post, New York Daily News

New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards has guaranteed a Jet win Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 16 of the NFL season. If he’s right the Jets secure a berth in the AFC Playoffs with a wild card selection and the fifth seed.

“We won’t lose this game”, said Edwards to reporters on Wednesday. “We want it too bad. You can just talk to the guys and get a feel. You can listen to (coach Rex Ryan’s) conviction when he talks to us”. Braylon goes on, “Guys are serious about winning this game. Guys aren’t talking about New Year’s Eve. Guys aren’t talking about family. All guys are talking about is the playoffs…”

Edwards comments may be arrogant but it brings up a dilemma for the Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. If the Bengals beat the Jets they will face either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the AFC playoffs. If the Bengals lose, they face the Jets at home in week 17.

Think about it, if you were coach Lewis who would you rather face: the Jets QB Mark Sanchez, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger or Ravens QB Joe Flacco and linebacker Ray Lewis?

The comments made by Braylon Edwards are sure to fire up the Bengals, but it will certainly do the same to his Jet teammates. Comments like this made by players are usually frowned upon, but Rex Ryan has been known to encourage trash talking by his players.

We’ll have to wait for Sunday, January 3, 2010, the first and last game NFL football game at Giants stadium, to see if Edwards words are golden.