NFL Preview: Battered Steelers can win in Tampa

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-0 without Ben Roethlisberger and Al Dannity likes them to move to 3-0 by beating the Bucs on Sunday.

Batch will suffice for now
Big Ben remains out with suspension and now with Dennis Dixon down for five weeks, the Steelers must turn to Charlie Batch to lead them into week 3 of the NFL season. Fortunately for Pittsburgh they travel to Tampa Bay to face a Buccaneers team that is neither good nor desperate.

Josh Freeman has been praised for his ability to manage the Bucs’ offense through the first two weeks of the year. Wins against Cleveland and Carolina have given Tampa Bay an unlikely 2-0 start to the season, reducing the pressure on coach Raheem Morris. Bear in mind however that the Browns and Panthers could well be fighting it out for the first pick in the draft next April. Freeman was good but not great against two of the lesser defenses in the NFL. Now he must contend with the Steel Curtain. Having been over-rated in 2009, the Pittsburgh defense looked worthy of its nickname in gutsy wins over Atlanta and Tennessee.

NFL betting fans know it will be the Steel Curtain that decides this game again. Charlie Batch is a likeable guy but hardly the man you want steering a playoff contender. The Buccaneers know the absence of Roethlisberger gives them a chance. I like Batch to do enough however to topple Tampa Bay. Bet on the Steelers as -2.5 favorites with Sports Interaction.

Ravens will bounce back
Baltimore’s offense once again looked impotent against the Bengals on Sunday, going down 15-10 but I see things changing for the better this weekend. Seneca Wallace looks a better fit at quarterback than Jake Delhomme but he’s still not going to frighten any defenses in this league. The Browns’ defense meanwhile has nibbled on Tampa Bay and Kansas City, two fairly impotent outfits. Taking a bite out of this Baltimore offense will prove another challenge entirely.

The Ravens offense is restless. The talent is there but it was been stifled against two of the best defenses in the NFL. Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, and all their pals crave a big day out and it’s going to come this Sunday. After coming up just a little bit short in their opening two games, I see the Browns suffering a much greater beat down this week. This one won’t be close. Bet on the Baltimore Ravens as -10.5 favorites with Sports Interaction.