Baltimore Ravens (5-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh – TV: NBC

*TV announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya

*Keys to the game: For all the talk about sizzling Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, the Ravens do have two key things working in their favor. The first is a ground game averaging 4.4 yards per carry and capable of complementing QB Joe Flacco to extend drives and keep Big Ben on the sideline. Baltimore’s offense has been hit and miss, and Flacco has been hampered by the inconsistency of his receiver beating press coverage. The Steelers continue to tinker with their secondary, but have dialed up the pass rush the past two games.

The Ravens also bring a stout run defense to Pittsburgh allowing just 3.7 yards per carry. RB Le’Veon Bell sets the table for Roethlisberger, averaging 4.9 yards per carry while ranking second on the team with 42 catches. The Steelers’ need that dual threat to help an offensive line that will be under constant assault as the Ravens attempt to pen Roethlisberger in the pocket. He is coming off a 522-yard, six-touchdown performance, and the Steelers have a developing group of receivers that runs much deeper than the Ravens can contend with if the pass rush doesn’t get home.

*Matchup to watch – Ravens CB Lardarius Webb vs. Steelers WR Antonio Brown: Webb missed the first meeting, when Brown caught seven passes for 90 yards, primarily against Jimmy Smith, who is out for this game. Webb has looked better each week as he works his way back from a back injury, but Brown will also see time against Dominique Franks, who is expected to start opposite Webb.

*Player spotlight – Steelers WR Martavis Bryant: The rookie has three touchdown catches in two games after being inactive for the first six games. Bryant often pairs with Darrius Heyward-Bey in three-receiver sets with Brown, while Markus Wheaton and Lance Moore enter for other situations.

*Fast facts: Five Steelers receivers have caught at least 12 passes and 13 have caught at least one. … Five of the past six meetings have been decided by three points or less. … Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs has sacked Roethlisberger 16.5 times, including playoffs, the most by any defender against Roethlisberger.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

These veteran-laden teams know each other extraordinarily well, and the physical season series typically come down to a play or two. With a razor-thin margin separating the bitter rivals, the Steelers have the edge with a red-hot quarterback against a secondary minus its top cover man.

*Our pick: Steelers 23-20