AARON'S MOST INTRIGUING MATCHUPS
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
Throughout the year I have been attempting to not write about teams on back-to-back weeks. However, this matchup is just too interesting to not cover. Over the last 3 years, this matchup has been an even split with each team winning 3 times, but the Ravens are 2-0 since Lamar Jackson took over as the QB. Now this is also a bit skewed due to the fact that Ben Roethlisberger only played in 2 games last year and neither of them were against the Ravens. This year, the Steelers have gotten off to an incredible start as the last remaining undefeated team and are producing well on both sides of the ball. The Ravens, despite the 5-1 record, have been struggling a little bit on offense and have been one of the leagues top defenses. I know the production has been there for the Ravens as they continue their impressive rushing attack from last year, but they remain among the bottom of the league in passing yards. They have shown that if they trail in games, they struggle to come back and compete in those games. I don’t believe that this is a game that will see either team jump out to a large and insurmountable lead, which should favor the Ravens. The Ravens are at their best when they can rush the football 30+ times and control the clock. I think this matchup still favors the Steelers, and I believe we continue to have an undefeated team going into Week 9.
Los Angeles Rams @ Miami Dolphins
IT’S TUA TIME! That’s right ladies and gentlemen, the Tua Tagovailoa era in Miami has arrived and the welcoming committee includes Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey; welcome to the NFL. Despite the great fantasy production out of journeyman QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, head coach Brian Flores decided to hand over the reins to the 5th overall pick. Now we wait and see whether the offense will take a step forward or fall back to the struggles of last year. I believe that this year’s rookie QB has the potential to mirror the class of 2004 which included Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger. So far, we have seen great play out of the rookie QB’s and I expect the same out of Tua. The Rams enter the week 5-2 and need to keep up their stellar play to stay in the mix in the hyper-competitive NFC West. What we have seen so far from the Rams has been steady play from the offense which ranks among the middle of the pack and a defense that has capitalized on weaker offensive opponents. They are still a good defensive team, but the one time they faced a completely healthy competitive team in the Bills, they allowed 30+ points and lost. I still think they have a lot to prove, and I'm not sure what we will see out of the Dolphins. Although, I am sure it will be just a preview of the bright future both of these teams possess.
