Lamarr Woodley

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?

We're now well past the point in Week 2 when everyone over at The Castle turns the page to the Tennessee Titans and says all the politically correct things about keeping Sunday's amazing, uplifting, demon-exorcising victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in its proper 16-game perspective. "This will be the last time we look back," coach John Harbaugh said during the opening remarks of his Monday afternoon news conference. Fair enough. That's Harbaugh's job. That's Ray Lewis' job. That's the job of everybody who gets a paycheck with a Ravens logo on it. It's not your job, however, and it's not mine.

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 dress rehearsals are over. Sunday's season opener is the real deal. The Ravens and Steelers danced three times a year ago, and when they partner up again at M&T Bank Stadium, an early lead in the AFC North and plenty of bumps and bruises will be at stake. What a way to start the season for football fans. And to think, two months ago it looked as if this game might not happen. The NFL lockout is long forgotten. The Ravens and Steelers have met many times over the past three years -- well, eight if you're actually counting -- so we know the storylines by now. Here are the ones I'll be following Sunday afternoon at M&T. 1. Will the reinforced offensive line hold up?

Ray Rice lives for third down. First and second down are good, mind you, but third down is what Rice does best. The veteran Ravens running back showed again Sunday why he is one of the NFL's most dynamic and clutch players. He broke the back of Pittsburgh's vaunted defense by converting five third-down plays in the first half, and his two early touchdowns paved the way for a 35-7 rout of the Steelers. "I've always embraced the third-down role," Rice said afterward. "So if I need a blow, I'm going to take it on first or second down because third down is the most important down in the NFL. Me, Cam [Cameron]

Some of the NFL's biggest stars have been signing contract extensions, including Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu and Minnesota's Adrian Peterson. Around Baltimore, fans were wondering if Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was next. Stop worrying. The negotiations are moving in the right direction. "It's getting closer," said Ngata after the Ravens humiliated Pittsburgh, 35-7, in the season opener. "We're just a few dollars apart. " The Ravens need to get Ngata's contract done soon because if he has another game like Sunday, the price will go up. Ngata finished with four tackles, but he also tipped two passes, forced a fumble and recovered another.

Ravens run offense vs. Steelers run defense: Ray Rice's three lowest rushing totals from last season came against the Steelers. In three meetings, he rushed for 20, 32 and 32 yards. But the Ravens are confident in revitalizing the NFL's 14th-ranked rushing attack with the free-agent signing of All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach. The Steelers have allowed only one 100-yard rusher in their last 50 games (which dates back to 2007), but that one player was Rice. Pittsburgh led the league in fewest rushing yards per game (62.8)

The Ravens and Steelers won't be tiptoeing into the water at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon. They are taking the plunge into the season with one of the most critical games on the 2011 slate for each squad. That's not to say the season opener is a make-or-break game for either team, though there is more pressure on the Ravens to win and put the pressure back on the Steelers to defend their home turf later in the season. So what do the Ravens need to do to beat Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers on Sunday?

Each morning, Monday through Friday, I'll hook you up with reading material to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday -- that way I'll have an excuse to do the same at the start of mine.     Running it back: Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco isn't focused on a rivalry with Ben Roethlisberger ; he just wants to beat the Steelers on Sunday. ... Terrell Suggs expects his path to Roethlisberger to be littered with roadblocks . ... With David Reed suspended for Week 1, the Ravens are trying to figure out who their third receiver will be Sunday . ... A quiet but potent minority has urged Maryland to carefully consider naming its basketball court after Gary Williams . ... The Terps are getting rid of the awful football uniforms they wore Monday -- and they are doing it for a good cause , too. ... The Orioles walked it off again against the Yankees on Thursday.

The Ravens face a major uphill battle Sunday against the Steelers, one I'm not sure they can overcome. In previous games the last couple of years, you could make an argument for either team winning. But on Sunday, the Ravens have a lot of new faces. They're young in the secondary with cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Cary Williams and at tight end with Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta. They also have a new receiver in Lee Evans and backup running back in Ricky Williams. But the area of most concern is the offensive line, which just hasn't had time to work together.