Round 2 of Ravens-Steelers tonight

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Reality came quickly after the greatest day — statistically at least — of Ben Roethlisberger’s career.

Less than 24 hours after throwing for a career-high 522 yards and six touchdowns in Pittsburgh’s 51-34 romp over Indianapolis, Roethlisberger was on daddy duty, changing the diapers of his two young children and already pondering a familiar challenge for the surging Steelers: Baltimore.

“Life goes on and that’s the realistic part of it,” Roethlisberger said. “You have to put it behind you just as if you had a bad game. ... There’s no point in sitting here dwelling on the past when we have a big one this week.”

Pittsburgh (5-3) raised the stakes considerably after blowing out the streaking Colts for its second straight win following seven weeks of erratic play. The team that turned it over three times and committed nine penalties in a 26-6 road loss to the Ravens in early September has now piled up 81 points and 10 touchdowns in its last seven quarters.

Maintaining that kind of pace will be difficult in a series known for low-scoring, taut games. Nine of the last 11 meetings between the clubs have been decided by three points or less regardless of the venue or the stakes. Baltimore hardly plays the role of intimidated visitor at Heinz Field: The Ravens (5-3) are 3-1 in their last four regular-season games in Pittsburgh.

“I love it because they put so much energy into hating you,” Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “You obviously are doing something, so it’s kind of flattering. I take it as a sign of respect.”

Even with two months to go, the prime-time showdown could be a separation game in the cramped AFC North, where all four teams are over .500. Baltimore’s loss in Cincinnati last week gave the Bengals a season sweep. If the Ravens can do the same to the Steelers, Pittsburgh’s path back to the postseason will become considerably tougher.

FLAWLESS FLACCO

Baltimore’s success at Heinz Field relies heavily on quarterback Joe Flacco, who is 3-3 in Pittsburgh and seems to thrive in a decidedly hostile environment.

“It’s awesome to play in front of your home crowd and get all that excitement,” Flacco said. “But there are times when it’s almost just as good to go in there and play so good that you can silence people that really don’t want to be silenced and aren’t very good at holding their words.”

No wonder Flacco has heard an earful over the years. In his last eight games against the Steelers, he’s thrown 10 touchdown passes and been intercepted only once.

ONE LESS SMITH

The Ravens will be without cornerback Jimmy Smith, who has a sprained left foot.

“It’s next man up. That’s why you have five days to prepare,” safety Matt Elam said. “We’ve got some great corners who can come in and do things while Jimmy’s out.”

Even though Jimmy Smith is out, there will be no shortage of Smiths in white jerseys tonight. There’s wide receivers Steve Smith and Torrey Smith and linebacker Darryl Smith.

Torrey Smith didn’t have a catch last week, the first time he’s been blanked since the second game of his rookie season in 2011.

HONORING JOE

The Steelers will honor Hall of Fame defensive tackle Joe Greene during a halftime ceremony. Pittsburgh will officially retire Greene’s No. 75 jersey, a formality considering it hasn’t been issued since Greene retired in 1981. Greene helped the Steelers to four Super Bowls in the 1970s.