Ravens- Steelers: Dennis Dixon Does Decent Job | NFL Fantasy Football Rankings

With Ben Roethlisberger out one would have to conclude the Steelers were going to struggle with Dennis Dixon under center. Dixon had only thrown one pass in his two year career and this week he was on the road against the Ravens in his first NFL start.

Beating the Odds

Until Dixon’s final throw of the game (interception in overtime) this young quarterback had himself a good day. Not only did Dixon throw a touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes, but he ran a touchdown in as well from 24-yards out.

Dixon has always had speed and was especially effective when he was a starter for the Oregon Ducks.

With Dixon in the game Rashard Mendenhall saw more carries as he received over twenty for close to 100 yards rushing. We should see more of this in the coming week’s because, even if Roethlisberger is back they will play a bit more conservative.

Running the football more will insure that Big Ben isn’t getting knocked around.

Next week the Steelers face the Raiders, and I expect the team to have an easy win in that contest.

Ray Rice the Workhorse

Joe Flacco, Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton all had good days in the passing game, but it was running back Ray Rice that was the star again. Rice totaled over 150 total yards from scrimmage as he kept drives going all game long.

At the end of the game in overtime Rice pounded the rock down inside the red zone for an easy field goal opportunity for Billy Cundiff. The Ravens’ kicker made the field goal and the Ravens won the game.

Now that the Ravens are well in the thick of the playoff hunt, they should be ready to play some consistent football.

Clayton stepped his game up for seven catches and 129 yards receiving, if the team is going to beat the Packers next week they need another strong effort from Clayton.

NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com