Key Matchups

It is a Monday night showdown in Pittsburgh, where the Ravens are set to take on the rival Steelers for a share of the AFC North lead. BR.com takes a look at three key matchups heading into the contest:

With rain threatening in Pittsburgh, the game will likely be won in the trenches, and that means the Steelers will look for Parker, whose 726 rushing yards leads the AFC, to get started quickly. That hasn't proven to be easy for any opponent, as the Ravens only give up an average of 71.9 yards on the ground per game. And, it's certainly been difficult for Parker, who totaled 51 yards on 23 carries in two meetings last season. It all hinges son whether the Ravens can contain the speedy back by stuffing the front blockers and letting middle linebackers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott make plays.

Ravens TE Todd Heap vs. Steelers S Troy Polamalu
Although he is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, Heap will be key to the Ravens' passing game and a successfully return from injury for quarterback Steve McNair. Before sitting out Weeks 5 and 7 with the injury, Heap was averaging 10.6 yards per catch, helping McNair's ability to extend the field. Polamalu is a safety that can and will line up all over the field, and while patrolling the middle, he and Heap could meet a few times.

Ravens CBs Corey Ivy and Derrick Martin vs. Steelers WRs Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes
Injuries to Pro Bowl cornerbacks Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister leave the Ravens short-handed when it comes to the pass defense. While McAlister could play despite his knee injury, Rolle has been confirmed out by team officials with an undisclosed illness, which means that Ivy will see his sixth start of the season and Martin could log the first of his career. Ward is a Pro Bowler that is known as a gritty pass catcher and a nasty blocker in the run game. Holmes, the 25th-overall pick in the 2006 draft, is emerging as a speedy deep threat, and it's shown team-leading 426 yards and four touchdowns this season. Even though the Steelers came out last week and said they were going to focus on running the ball, they could definitely take some shots at the Ravens' backup cornerbacks.