Ben Burns Sunday Night
<TABLE class=data><TBODY><TR><TD class=datacell>Your pick will be graded at: -7.5 Belmont</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>EXPERT: Ben Burns</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>TITLE: **18-7 L25 NFL!** Burns' Sunday MAIN EVENT!</TD></TR><TR><TD class=datacell>REASON FOR PICK: I'm laying the points with BALTIMORE. I won with the Steelers when these teams met in January. The champs have been good to me this year, too. However, as the saying goes, that was then and this is now.
For starters, last year's playoff meeting came at Pittsburgh. This one's at Baltimore. Naturally, that's huge. Perhaps even more important, the Steelers are now expected to be without Ben Rothlisberger. Considering that all "Big Ben" does is win, that's extremely significant.
Making matters worse, experienced backup Charlie Batch isn't available either. That means that Dennis Dixon will get the call. While Dixon may one day develop into a solid starter, he's only ever thrown one career pass. Making his first career start at Baltimore is no easy task. While the Ravens lost a tough one vs. the Colts last week, they still played very well. Additionally, we saw what they did the last time that they were on National TV, pitching a shutout against the Browns.
While both teams will be without key defenders, facing a first-time rookie, I feel that Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and co. will have the advantage on that side of the ball. Of course, Reed is always capable of taking one the other way, something he does regularly when featured on National TV.
Joe Flacco admittedly struggled vs. the Steelers last year. He's got another year under his belt now though and he's not expected to have to face Pittsburgh's star safety Troy Polamalu. I expect him to have a MUCH better game and look for him to lead his team to the win and cover. *9 Main Event</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>