The Pittsburgh Steelers opened their season with an embarrassing 35-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, their top rivals for AFC North supremacy. Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles, while Mewelde Moore and Rashard Mendenhall fumbled once each. Indeed, Pittsburgh had as many turnovers as points that afternoon.
But the Steelers have won six of their seven games since then, and enter this Sunday's matchup against the Ravens with a half-game edge on them in the standings.
Most experts believe the Steelers will avenge that Week 1 defeat. Of ESPN's seven-member panel, six pick Pittsburgh to prevail; former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski is the only panelist who believes Baltimore will sweep the season-series and regain the AFC North lead on Sunday.
The story's the same at CBS. Pete Prisco, Clark Judge, Dave Richard, and Will Brinson pick the Steelers, while Mike Freeman is the lone Ravens believer.
The season is bigger than Sunday's game, however; a famous phrase regarding winning battles but losing wars springs to mind. And at SBNation.com's NFL Playoff Picture preview, Joel Thorman picks the Steelers to edge the Ravens for the AFC North crown, with experience tipping the scale in the defending AFC Champs' favor. However, Thorman also picks the Steelers to lose to Baltimore in the AFC title game, as quarterback Joe Flacco leads an improving Ravens offense.