These clubs are usually two of the NFL’s best defensive teams and that shouldn’t change in 2011. Last year on the way to winning the AFC title, before falling to Green Bay in the Super Bowl, the Steelers were No. 2 overall in yards allowed per game and by far No. 1 in points allowed per game at just 14.5.

Safety Troy Polamalu was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season. Despite missing two games with an Achilles injury in his right ankle, in which Pittsburgh went 1-1, Polamalu became the sixth Steeler to win the award. He had seven interceptions along with 63 tackles, but made his mark with big plays. In a late-season victory at Baltimore, his leaping tackle forced a fumble that set up the winning touchdown. That victory catapulted the Steelers to the AFC North title. The Steelers then beat Baltimore again the divisional round of the playoffs, 31-24. Pittsburgh trailed by two touchdowns at the half but completed their rally on a Rashard Mendenhall 2-yard TD run with 1:33 left.

Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger has actually beaten the Ravens seven straight times; he didn’t play in the teams’ first meeting of 2010, a 17-14 Baltimore victory. The Ravens cut several veterans off last year’s team but hope they added offense for up-and-down QB Joe Flacco in trading for Buffalo WR Lee Evans and signing free agent RB Ricky Williams to back up Ray Rice.

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