Lamarr Woodley

Some consider Sunday's 35-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers a statement game for Joe Flacco. But it was more like a rebuttal by the Ravens quarterback. Flacco's sharp and scintillating performance is underscored because it came after months of criticism this offseason and a week in which he was reminded of never beating Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. So, has the monkey been removed from Flacco's back? "I don't feel one," Flacco said, "you guys may have taken it off for me. " Flacco may downplay feeling any external pressure, but he undoubtedly played with a chip on his shoulder.

— The difference between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Ravens is no longer in the quarterback. When the game was on the line Sunday night, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco outlasted Pittsburgh quarterback and rival Ben Roethlisberger. In the past, when Roethlisberger had led the Steelers on a potential game winning drive late in the fourth period, the Ravens had no answer. But Sunday night, Flacco brought the Ravens back with a 13 play, 92 yard drive in the last 2 minutes and 16 seconds.

Over the past three seasons, the Ravens' biggest problem offensively against Pittsburgh has been protecting quarterback Joe Flacco. Now, the challenge is magnified because the first time the Ravens' projected starting offensive line will take a snap together in a game is the season opener against the high-pressure Steelers defense. "We're going to make sure it's not a problem," coach John Harbaugh said after Monday's practice. "That's our jobs, all of us together, to make sure it's not a problem.

Every week, I hope to bring you a quick Q&A with someone who covers the Ravens' opponent that week. In case you haven't heard, the Ravens play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Sunday. I chatted with longtime Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Ed Bouchette this week while I covered the Steelers in Pittsburgh. MV: What are your expectations for quarterback Byron Leftwich, who will fill in for Ben Roethlisberger? EB: He's played well in the preseason. And when he was getting ready to start in 2010 when Ben was suspended, he was having a real good preseason, I thought, then he got hurt and didn't play.

News item: Joe Flacco and the Ravens' inconsistent offense could be facing a depleted Pittsburgh linebacking corps when they face the Steelers in the road half of the regular-season series, with control of the AFC North hanging in the balance. My take: That shouldn't provide all that much solace. Even with LaMarr Woodley and James Farrior unlikely to play, the Steelers' defense is still far superior to the two teams that have given the Ravens headaches the past two weeks.

As remarkable as the demolition of Pittsburgh's proud defense was, the Ravens' offensive success on opening day was noteworthy for another reason: It marked the debut of their new zone blocking scheme. What had the potential to be a major issue early for the Ravens — their offensive line was in a serious state of flux — instead became a major advantage. Who knew that new left tackle Bryant McKinnie didn't need any preseason snaps to handle the Steelers' James Harrison and open big holes for running back Ray Rice?

Ravens run offense vs. Steelers run defense: Ray Rice's two lowest rushing totals of the season came against the Steelers. He rushed for 20 yards against them at Pittsburgh and managed 32 yards against them at M&T Bank Stadium. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron hasn't shown a commitment to the ground game against the NFL's top-ranked run defense, giving the ball to Rice a total of 17 times in two meetings. Fullback Le'Ron McClain is back after missing the last meeting with an ankle injury.

When the Ravens open training camp Thursday, the offense will have a new look - and not just because tight end Todd Heap and wide receiver Derrick Mason are gone. Joe Flacco will walk onto the field with a swagger, based on his bold statements Wednesday. The typically laid-back quarterback defiantly fired back at his critics, saying, "I'm pretty damn good. " During the lockout, he's heard a player on another team talk about how he can't handle pressure and he's heard an NFL analyst question his work ethic.

The visual of LaMarr Woodley sweeping in from the Ravens' right to dump Joe Flacco on consecutive plays at Heinz Field last December is a stark reminder of how tough it is to protect your quarterback against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the span of seven offensive snaps — four drop-backs — the Steelers sacked Flacco three times. Driving for a tying field goal or go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter, the Ravens coughed up a 23-20 loss instead. On Sunday, the Ravens go back to Pittsburgh, ready for combat, hoping they can do a better job of containing Woodley and the rest of the Steelers' defensive blitzkrieg.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has yet to flinch in four career games against the Pittsburgh Steelers - and they have given him plenty of cause. In three losses to the Steelers last season, Flacco was sacked 10 times, threw five interceptions and lost a critical fumble that became a quick seven points for Pittsburgh. Less than a month ago, the Steelers again pounded Flacco - for five more sacks - though he achieved payback in a 20-17 overtime victory. With 289 passing yards and no turnovers, it was easily the best of his four games against the Ravens' biggest rival.