By Paul Mittermeier 

From the opening kickoff to the final gun it was all Ravens this past Sunday.

Bart Scott and the Ravens' defense sacked Ben Roethlisberger nine times, tying Baltimore's single-game sack record. (Sabina Moran/PressBox)

Coming into the game against the Steelers, the Ravens had compiled an 8-2 record and were poised to return to the NFL playoffs for the first time in three years. What the Ravens did to the Steelers for 60 minutes not only confirmed their place among the top teams in the AFC, it sent a message to the rest of the league that Baltimore is a tough team to beat. 

The Ravens used an intimidating defense, an efficient offense and a powerful running game to end Pittsburgh's chances to make the playoffs and show the rest of the AFC they are indeed the most balanced team in the conference. 

The excitement throughout Baltimore after Sunday's 27-0 win didn't just come from the fact that the Ravens defeated their archrivals. It was the way they did it that has fans remembering the Super Bowl run of 2000. 

The Steelers are struggling this year, but few teams have ever been able to dominate them as physically as the Ravens did. The numbers are amazing. The Ravens defense sacked Ben Roethlisberger nine times, forced three Steelers turnovers and held Pittsburgh to just 172 yards of total offense -- 57 of those yards coming in the fourth quarter after the Ravens had built a 27-point lead. 

The Ravens set the tone at the start. Baltimore forced a three-and-out on the Steelers' first possession, then followed it up with a six-play, 56-yard drive for a touchdown on their own first possession. The game looked over for the Steelers early on, as Pittsburgh punted five times in the first half and gained just three first downs. 

On offense the Ravens pushed the Steelers around, and the Baltimore offensive line had its best game of the season. When the Ravens got to the red zone they pounded the football right down Pittsburgh's throat. It was smashmouth football at its best -- and this time it was the Ravens pounding the Steelers. 

Once the Ravens built their lead, the defense took over, the offense never took its foot off the gas pedal and the Steelers were crushed in the second half. For Pittsburgh, it became turnovers instead of punts, and Adalius Thomas' third quarter 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown was the final blow. 

The Ravens showed their best balanced attack of the season, gaining 114 yards rushing and 161 yards passing. Steve McNair went 18-for-24 for 140 yards and a touchdown before taking a break and letting Kyle Boller finish the game. The blowout had added importance because it gave McNair and other Ravens players some extra time to rest for Thursday's game in Cincinnati. 

The rest of the league must take notice. The Ravens are on the verge of clinching the AFC North and this team wants much more. Baltimore has never hosted an AFC Championship game, but now stands just one game behind Indianapolis (and tied with San Diego) for the best record in the AFC. 

The Colts have Peyton Manning and a sieve-like run defense. The Chargers have LaDainian Tomlinson and a quarterback who has just 11 starts in his NFL career. The Ravens have the best team in the AFC. The defense is once again one of the best in the NFL. Baltimore has a veteran quarterback in McNair and a revived running game that ran over a solid Steelers defense.

Matchup of the Week

Ravens CBs Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle vs. Bengals WR Chad Johnson

In Week 9, the Ravens corners held Chad Johnson to four catches for 32 yards. Since proclaiming himself a hood ornament after the Bengals' loss that day, Johnson has been on fire. He has 24 catches for 573 yards and five touchdowns in his last three games.

Paul Mittermeier hosts PressBox Live Sunday which airs weekly on ESPN Radio 1300-AM from 9 to 11 a.m.

Issue 1.32: November 30, 2006