OWINGS MILLS -- His strong right arm remains cocked back with his eyes fixated downfield at his targets while tacklers jump on his back and dive perilously at his legs: Ben Roethlisberger is all calm in the midst of chaos.

He's the elusive, gritty quarterback the Baltimore Ravens haven't been able to intimidate, and rarely corral or defeat.

Twisting his bulky torso away from defenders' grasp, buying himself a precious extra second of time, Roethlisberger delivers spirals with authority and timing leaving flailing bodies at his feet.

Not even a broken, bloody nose suffered last December when he got bashed in the face by defensive tackle Haloti Ngata deterred the Pittsburgh Steelers' clutch passer from his mission: beating the Ravens.

"Roethlisberger is a football player, man," Ravens free safety Ed Reed said. "He's an old-school sandlot football player that knows his situation. He's a quarterback, he's got the ball in his hands and he loves to play the game, and he can run."

As the Ravens prepare for a pivotal season-opener against the Steelers Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, it's Roethlisberger that they need to vanquish.

Following an AFC divisional playoff victory over Baltimore in January, Roethlisberger is now 9-2 for his career as a starter against the Ravens. That includes seven consecutive victories.

Roethlisberger has nimble feet that defy his burly, 6-foot-5, 241-pound frame.

And the Super Bowl winning quarterback is at his most effective when the degree of difficulty rises to its highest level.

Roethlisberger overcame a sore right foot and a broken nose last December in Baltimore to manufacture a game-winning touchdown with his 9-yard throw to fullback Isaac Redman in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

"Yeah, he's different than most guys," Ravens outside linebacker Jarret Johnson said. "Most guys, you want to get them running and get them out of the pocket and their decision-making goes down. This guy, it's through the roof.

"It's uncanny how accurate he is on the run, how he just creates plays. Especially when he's getting grabbed, if he can keep that arm free, he's dangerous. It's unbelievable how he does it."

Following a suspension last year for violating the NFL personal-conduct policy, he went 5-0 against AFC North opponents. For his career in the division, Roethlisberger is 29-7 with 7,920 yards, 50 touchdowns and 32 interceptions.

During the past four seasons, the Ravens have only beaten the Steelers three times.

In each of those instances, Roethlisberger wasn't on the field.

Last season, Roethlisberger was serving the final game of his suspension when the Ravens won at Heinz Field. Two seasons ago, he was sidelined with a concussion in the Ravens win. Three years ago, Roethlisberger was rested as Charlie Batch started during a loss to Baltimore where the Steelers had already clinched a playoff berth.

He's not about to get outwardly cocky, though, or accuse the Ravens of talking too much as beefy nose guard Casey Hampton did this week.

"I think the Ravens are pretty tough," Roethlisberger said during a conference call with Baltimore reporters. "I mean, busted my nose last year on like the third play. So, you'll never hear me say something like that."

What you will hear Roethlisberger talk about is his deep respect for Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, his frequent nemesis.

As much as Roethlisberger has built a reputation as the Ravens' albatross, Suggs is the equivalent for the Steelers.

He has recorded 10 ½ sacks during the regular season against Pittsburgh with 76 tackles, one interception, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

He's been even more of a scourge during the playoffs with a career-high three sacks against Pittsburgh during last season's playoff game and two sacks in the AFC championship in Pittsburgh three years ago.

No one has sacked Roethlisberger more than Suggs with 12 ½ sacks against Roethlisberger, including the playoffs.

"He's such a ferocious player," Roethlisberger said. "He's got really long arms and legs and he uses his hands really well. He's super athletic, fast, strong and ferocious. Something that people really don't write about is his intimidation factor alone."

Just as the Ravens make special preparations for Roethlisberger, Suggs expects the Steelers to place a gauntlet of blockers in front of him to create obstacles to prevent him from hitting their quarterback.

"I guarantee you they've got something in store where I won't be one-on-one with any of their tackles," said Suggs. "It's going to start with a chip, Heath Miller or a back. I won't be one-on-one with them, because they remember the playoff game. They remember all the games I've had."

And Suggs won't be consumed or distracted by flattery.

"They're trying to psych us out," Suggs said. "They're going to do everything possible to make sure I don't have a good game."

He's convinced that the Steelers aren't scared of him.

"I don't think they're rattled at all," he said. "I think it's a sign of respect. It definitely is, but I don't care."‘

No active NFL player has as many sacks against the Steelers during the regular season as Suggs.

And only one other NFL team - the Cleveland Browns - has had as much trouble blocking Suggs with a dozen sacks surrendered to the former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

What is it about the Steelers that pushes Suggs' motivational buttons?

"I just don't want to lose, so every time I play them I crank it up," Suggs said. "That could explain it, but it doesn't matter if the Steelers end up winning the game."