The Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) will try to overcome the absence of their starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as they host the winless Baltimore Ravens (0-3) at the Heinz Field on Thursday, October 1.
Roethlisberger injured his left knee in the third quarter of their 12-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday after Rams' safety Mark Barron put him down with a sliding sack, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Backup Michael Vick ably replaced the two-time Super Bowl champions and is expected to start this game versus the Ravens.
Meanwhile, Baltimore is still winless in their first three outings this season.
Their last game was a 28-24 loss in the hands of the rampaging Cincinnati Bengals at the M&T Bank Stadium also last Sunday, via Fansided.
It was the same story for John Harbaugh boys as they wasted a 24-21 lead in the final three and a half minutes to lose the game. They also lost their two previous games against Oakland and Denver in similar fashion.
Even without Roethlisberger, the Steelers are still favored to win this matchup as Vick will still have running back Le'Veon Bell and wideout Antonio Brown to help him power the team over the Ravens.
Prediction: Steelers win, 21-17
Baltimore Ravens starting lineup
Offense: Flacco (QB), Forsett (RB), Juszczyk (FB), S. Smith (WR1), Aiken (WR2), Gillmore (TE), Hurst (LT), Osemele (LG), Zuttah (C), Yanda (RG), Wagner (RT)
Defense: Guy (DE), Williams (NT), Jernigan (DT), Upshaw (OLB), Mosley (ILB), D. Smith (ILB), Dumervil (OLB), Webb (CB1), J. Smith (CB2), Hill (SS), Lewis (FS)
Pittsburgh Steelers starting lineup
Offense: Vick (QB), Bell (RB), Johnson (FB), Brown (WR1), Wheaton (WR2), Miller (TE), Beachum (LT), Foster (LG), Wallace (C), DeCastro (RG), Gilbert (RT)
Defense: Heyward (DE), McLendon (NT), Tuitt (DE), Moats (OLB), Spence (ILB), Timmons (ILB), Harrison (OLB), Blake (CB1), Gay (CB2), Allen (SS), Mitchell (FS)