The Steelers have grown accustomed during their 6-0 start to having the most dominant defensive unit in each of their matchups this season. After all, following Sunday's 27-24 win over the Titans, the Steelers have risen to having the No. 1 defense in the league in yards allowed in the NFL to go along with what was already the league's most fearsome pass rush.
But one area in which they can be matched is in the secondary -- or at least at the cornerback position. And that's where this week's opponent, the Ravens (5-1) just might have an advantage heading into their showdown against the Steelers (6-0) for the top spot in the AFC North.
In Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters and Jimmy Smith, the Ravens boast three cornerbacks with Pro Bowl resumes. That group will be tasked with trying to slow a passing game for the Steelers that has been as diverse as any in the league.
The Steelers have a lot of respect for what the Ravens' cornerbacks can do. But they also like the way their receivers challenge opposing defenses.
Seemingly each week they have had a different leading receiver as Ben Roethlisberger has largely thrown the ball to whoever is open.
"It reveals itself leading up to the game, in the personality, in their style of play, schematics but also people," Mike Tomlin said of figuring out who the main target will be each week. "We have to forecast a little bit, but no question, we go into the game with an understanding of who may have an opportunity to have a big day from a matchup or schematic standpoint."
That might be a little more difficult against the Ravens.
Humphrey is considered by many to be one of the top two or three corners in the league. He leads the NFL with four forced fumbles to go along with his one interception and 2.5 sacks this season. And the fourth-year cornerback will slide into the slot when Smith enters the game.
His ability to strip the ball is well known to the Steelers. He ripped the ball away from JuJu Smith-Schuster in overtime in their meeting at Heinz Field last season to help the Ravens secure a win.
"I just really love and respect (him) as a player," Tomlin said. "He’s evolved into a real top-notch defender, and I say defender because he’s not just the cover guy. He plays inside and the nickel. He’s a quality blitzer. His ball awareness is on the ceiling. He might be the very best defender in football in terms of getting the ball and dislodging it, disrupting it. He got us in a very big way in the first game last year in overtime that lead to their victory in that game."
Peters, who was acquired in a trade last year with the Rams, is a bit more of a gambler. His 29 interceptions, including two this season, rank seventh among active players, giving him one more than the Steelers' Joe Haden. But Peters' interceptions have all come since he came into the NFL in 2015, while Haden has been in the league since 2010.
And Smith is a savvy veteran who has allowed just a 50 percent completion percentage in his coverage this season.
The Steelers, meanwhile, will counter with a passing attack that is as diversified as any in the NFL.
The Steelers have six players with at least 15 receptions this season -- by comparison, the Ravens have two, wide receiver Marquise Brown and tight end Mark Andrews. Smith-Schuster leads the Steelers with 32 receptions, but Diontae Johnson has 24, tight end Eric Ebron 22, rookie Chase Claypool 18, James Washington 17 and running back James Conner 15.
Figuring out where Roethlisberger is going to throw the ball from week to week or even play to play is a chore.
Compounding that issue is that Roethlisberger is getting rid of the football in 2.29 seconds on average according to NFL NextGen stats. That's by far the fastest in the league. In the Steelers' 27-24 win last Sunday over the Titans, he was even quicker than that, throwing it on average in 2.05 seconds.
That puts defensive players in a conundrum. If they press the Steelers receivers because Roethlisberger is getting rid of the ball so quickly, they leave themselves susceptible to being beaten over the top by deep threats Claypool and Washington. But if they play in off coverage, Roethlisberger has shown he is content to take the quick passes to Johnson and Smith-Schuster.
Two weeks ago against the Browns, with Johnson sitting out because of a back injury, Claypool had four catches for 74 yards and Washington four for 68 and a touchdown. Both were quiet in the win over the Titans, who took away the deep passes, but allowed Smith-Schuster and Johnson to combine for 18 receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
Pick your poison.
"It's the best I've seen him," said first-year Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell, who played against Roethlisberger with both the Cardinals and Jaguars. "He's always been great, but he's locked in. He's getting rid of the ball fast, making great reads, getting the ball to his playmakers (and) still throwing the ball well down the field. You have to love what you see on tape when you watch him. He's a great player -- Hall of Fame worthy. He's a lot better player overall. He's always been great, but they're rolling. So, we have our hands full."
But the Ravens will trust in their secondary. Baltimore has run a cover-0 defense -- with all the corners pressed and no safety help over the top -- 15 percent of the time this season, trusting their corners to hold up while blitzers try to get home.
Largely it has worked. The Ravens corners have been credited with allowing just two touchdown catches this season -- both by Peters -- and opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 74.2 when targeting them.
"They are quality players, but I can’t say enough about Jimmy Smith as well who also plays in their sub package at corner who has been a long-time corner for them in the AFC North," Tomlin said of the Baltimore corners. "We’ve had experience and competition with them as well. They have a rock-solid group at the cornerback position that allows them to be aggressive. I would imagine that it will be a significant component of play in this football game."