Dan has been a model of consistency so far this season, going 8-8 each week whilst I’ve been up and down so if we follow the same patterns I should be about to have a horrible week and end up level with Dan again. Week three saw less upsets, and some teams without wins begin to turn things round so let’s get started with the upcoming Thursday night game, with the rest to follow in the next couple of days.

Gee:    Week 3   10-6              Overall   26-22

Dan:    Week 3   8-8                Overall   24-24

Ravens @ Steelers (+2.5)

The headline news for the Steelers was not their win against the Rams, but that what looked like a nasty injury to Ben Roethlisberger is in fact a sprained MCL so he is gone for a few weeks rather than the season. Looking forward the question is whether Michael Vick can keep the Steelers in the hunt for the playoffs until Roethlisberger can get back, and this is a big question as it as it has been a while since Michael Vick has looked like a starting quarterback. However, if Le’Veon Bell can keep totting up the one hundred thirty total yard games, and Antonio Brown remains in the discussion as one of the best receivers in the game then they have a chance, but the defence has to hold up to keep them in it.

The Ravens nearly got themselves a win, and are surely one of the best 0-3 teams in recent years. The problem is that they are not rushing the passer and their secondary isn’t holding up their end on defence, whilst on offence they suddenly can’t run the ball. This surely must be system related as the o-line and running backs are pretty much the same, but whatever the cause it needs fixing in a hurry. The real bright spark last week was Steve Smiths’ one hundred and eighty-six yards and two touchdowns, which included one catch down the sideline on fourth and two, threw off one defender and ran the ball in for a fifty yard touchdown when he really should have been tackled. In previous years they might have got the comeback, but against this year’s Bengals they weren’t able to cover the receivers and Dalton didn’t fall apart.

This is a really hard game for me to pick because I don’t trust Michael Vick as a starter, there have been ball security issues in recent seasons and he lost the ball once coming in for Roethlisberger against the Rams. Equally, the Steelers have a lot more talent on offence at the moment, and whilst I find it hard to believe that the Ravens will go 0-4, I have this feeling that the Steelers might just sneak it and they’re getting points at home. I could well regret this, but until somebody other than Steve Smith shows up for the Ravens, I’m backing the Steelers even with their backup quarterback.

Gee’s Pick:       Steelers
Dan’s Pick:       Steelers