“The Steelers are going to win the AFC North Division. Let's get that straight right at the top. As badly as they played in Philadelphia Sunday, they still are better than Baltimore, Cleveland and Cincinnati. They will prove that again Monday night when they smack down the Ravens at Heinz Field.

I'm thinking something along the lines of 35-10.

Seriously.”

The loss for the Steelers isn’t all that significant when you consider Parker’s stats against the Ravens.  Parker like most of the Steelers’ vets checked out of the last regular season game in ’07 but in five starts against the Ravens prior to that, Parker has 78 carries for 215 yards to his credit – an average of just 2.76 yards per carry.  His longest run is 16 yards and he did not record a score in any of those five games he’s played against Baltimore since 2005.

RAVENS: Out: DT Kelly Gregg (knee), S Dawan Landry (neck), CB Samari Rolle (shoulder, Neck), QB Troy Smith (illness). Questionable: WR Yamon Figurs (hamstring), LB Nick Greisen (thigh), T Adam Terry (ankle). Probable: LB Tavares Gooden (hip), LB Ray Lewis (foot), RB Le'Ron McClain (migrane, Ankle), RB Willis McGahee (eye), CB Fabian Washington (neck), TE Daniel Wilcox (shoulder, Ankle). STEELERS: Out: DT Casey Hampton (groin), DE Brett Keisel (calf), RB Willie Parker (knee). Doubtful: LB Donovan Woods (hamstring). Probable: CB William Gay (ankle), S Troy Polamalu (quadriceps), CB Deshea Townsend (heel).

TEAMWORK ~ The Ravens have a nice marriage between the offense and defense right now. Cam Cameron’s offense keeps the defense fresh by dominating time of possession – an average of 37:02 to 22:59 for the 1st 2 games. The defense gives the offense more opportunities with performances that have been outstanding. Rex Ryan’s aggressive defense has stolen the ball 5 times – 4 INTs and 1 FR. They have sacked QBs 7 times, including 5 against the Browns last Sunday. They have been dominant on 3rd downs, giving up just 5 1st downs in 26 attempts (19.2%).Opposing QBs have been reduced to a 26.6 rating. The Bengals managed just 154 net yards against the Ravens in the opener, and the Browns didn’t do much better last Sunday when they produced just 169 yards. Currently, the Ravens’ defense is ranked 1st in the league.

LB TERRELL SUGGS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OFFENSE HELPING WIN THE TIME OF POSSESSION BATTLE: “That helps the defense a lot. You’ve got a fresh defense out there, and we play our best when we haven’t had 13- or 14-play drives. I think [the offense] does a really good job when they hold the ball like that. Not only that, but to [score points].”

AFC NORTH CHAMPS ~ In the last 5 seasons, the Steelers have won the AFC North 2 times – 2007 and 2004 – while the Ravens have also won twice (2006 and 2003). The Bengals won the division in 2005 when Pittsburgh entered the playoffs as a Wild Card, but went on to win Super Bowl XL. In those 5 years, the Ravens and Steelers have split the 2 annual battles 4 times with the Ravens sweeping the 2006 series (27-0 and 31-7). Baltimore has beaten Pittsburgh 4 of the last 5 times the teams have played, despite dropping 5 of the last 6 at Heinz Field, including the 38-7 drubbing a year ago. Obviously, winning in Pittsburgh is difficult. But, it’s more than Terrible Towels and enthused fans. It’s the coaching of Mike Tomlin and his staff, and it’s an array of well-known standout players.

On offense, it starts with Pro Bowl QB Ben Roethlisberger, who might be the most difficult quarterback in the league to sack.

“It’s amazing how many times rushers hit or grab him and he still gets the ball off. He’s very strong,” Rex Ryan said.

FAST STARTS ~ The Ravens look to start the season 3-0 for just the 2nd time in franchise history (2006). The Ravens are 10-14 in regular season play vs. the Steelers and 0-1 in the postseason. Baltimore is 4-8 (and 0-1 in playoffs) in games at Pittsburgh…The Ravens have won 4 of their last 5 meetings against the Steelers, including the 2007 season finale in Baltimore (27-21 on 12/30).

PICK A NUMBER: 4 for 4: Third-and-1 rushing attempts/successful conversions for Ravens FB Le’Ron McClain this year, tied for 1st in the NFL.

19.2: Third-down percentage (5 of 26 att.) the Ravens’ “D” has held opponents to this season, 2nd only to Buffalo’s 17.9%.

48.4: Gross punting average for Ravens P Sam Koch, the NFL’s 3rd-best mark. Additionally, Koch’s 44.0 net average is 2nd only to Philly’s Sav Rocca (44.1).

BALTO/PITT CONNECTIVITY ~ Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger both played college ball at Miami (OH)…Ravens RBs coach Wilbert Montgomery and OL coach John Matsko were on the 2005 St. Louis Rams staff with Steelers special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky. That team included Ravens CB Corey Ivy…When CB Corey Ivy played for Tampa Bay from 2001-04, his DBs coach was Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Pittsburgh RBs coach Kirby Wilson was also on the Bucs’ staff from 2002-03…