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Ravens aim for fifth straight win, face rival Steelers

Nov 21, 2006 - 10:43 PM Pittsburgh (4-6) at Baltimore (8-2) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Ravens can deliver another huge blow to the Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff hopes Sunday when the bitter AFC North rivals meet for the first time this season.

After winning the Super Bowl last season, the Steelers will have an uphill climb to even make the playoffs. Pittsburgh is behind both Baltimore (8-2) and Cincinnati (5-5) in the division.

The Steelers have a huge task against the Ravens, who are seeking their first five-game winning streak since a seven-game run to close the regular season in their Super Bowl-winning season in 2000.

Pittsburgh has won its last two games over New Orleans and Cleveland, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger finally starting to play better.

Roethlisberger has thrown for 536 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions in the last two games. He went 25-of-44 for 272 yards and two TDs with three interceptions in last week's 24-20 triumph at Cleveland.

Roethlisberger capped a 21-point fourth quarter in the win over the Browns with a four-yard TD pass to running back Willie Parker with 32 seconds remaining.

Parker also had a one-yard TD run earlier in the fourth quarter. The speedster rushed for 122 yards on 32 carries in a pair of games against the Ravens last season.

The Ravens continued their winning ways last Sunday with a 24-10 victory over Atlanta. Jamal Lewis rushed for 90 yards and three second-half touchdowns and B.J. Sams totaled 212 yards on six kick returns.

It also was another efficient performance for Steve McNair, who completed 24-of-34 passes for 236 yards. He has completed over 61 percent of his passes in four straight games.

Baltimore will be hoping to regain the services of Pro Bowl middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who has missed the last two games with a back injury.

The teams split two meetings last season, with each winning at home.

In the game at Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger engineered a late drive that resulted in Jeff Reed's 37-yard field goal with 1:36 remaining to give the Steelers a 20-19 victory.

With Roethlisberger sidelined with a knee injury, the Ravens posted a 16-13 victory in overtime last November. Matt Stover provided the winning points with a 44-yard field goal.