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Steelers put streak on line vs. Ravens

Sep 23, 2008 - 6:56 PM BALTIMORE (0-2) AT PITTSBURGH (2-1), MONDAY, 8:15 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Ravens are one of the biggest surprises of the young season. They'll be hard-pressed to continue that success.

The Ravens visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night in a matchup of bitter NFC North rivals.

Despite being forced to start rookie Joe Flacco at quarterback, Baltimore is off to a 2-0 start thanks to the play of its revitalized defense, which has allowed just 20 points and one offensive touchdown.

However, the task for the Ravens - who receiving an unexpected bye in Week Two due to Hurricane Ike - gets considerably more difficult against the Steelers.

Pittsburgh has won 13 consecutive home games on Monday night dating to 1992. It is the longest such streak in league annals.

However, the Ravens may be catching the Steelers at the right time. Pittsburgh was beat up in a 15-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend.

Willie Parker, who rushed for over 100 yards in his first two games, was held to 20 yards on 13 carries and suffered a sprained knee that will force him to miss Monday's game. Rookie Rashard Mendenhall, the team's first-round pick, will start in his place.

Meanwhile, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked eight times, giving him 12 for the season and putting him on pace to surpass last season's total of 47.

Roethlisberger finished 13-of-25 with 131 yards passing and one interception before exiting the game with a hand injury. He is expected to be ready for Monday night.

Flacco is bidding to become just the second rookie quarterback to start 3-0 in the Super Bowl era since Cincinnati's Greg Cook accomplished the feat in 1969.

The No. 18 overall pick, Flacco hardly was spectacular, getting intercepted twice in last Sunday's 28-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns. However, safety Ed Reed returned an interception for a touchdown and Chris McAlister picked off a pass to set up one of Le'Ron McClain's two short scoring runs.

Willis McGahee, seeing his first action after sitting out the season opener while recuperating from minor knee surgery, rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland.