Jan 1, 2015 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Le’Veon Bell might have been the Steelers’ Most Valuable Player this season. But the Steelers’ star running back wasn’t a member of the team’s most valuable unit.

That title belongs to the team’s offensive line.

And while the Steelers will likely be without Bell Saturday for their AFC Wildcard playoff game at Heinz Field against Baltimore, their offensive line will be intact for the game.

Facing a defense that could have little respect for Pittsburgh’s running game that will feature rookie Josh Harris if Bell, who did not practice again Thursday, does not play, that could be critical.

While the Steelers’ rushing game has been slowed in the past month, Pittsburgh’s offensive line has permitted quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to be sacked just three times in the past five games and 33 times this season.

The total number might seem like a lot, but Roethlisberger attempted a career-high 608 passes. In 2005, when he was sacked a career-low 23 times, Roethlisberger had just 268 pass attempts.

“I think we’re starting to get (an identity),” said Steelers Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey. “The chemistry is starting to work really well. I think for a while now, the (offensive) line and defensive line has been the one carrying the team. So we have to keep trying to do that and keep trying to push forward.”

They will have their hands full with Baltimore, especially without the threat of Bell.

The Ravens finished fourth in the league in run defense and tied for second in the NFL this season with 49 sacks, led by outside linebackers Elvis Dumervil, who had 17, and Terrell Suggs, who had 12. Their 29 combined sacks were the most by any duo on the same team in the NFL this season. Considering the Ravens also got 7.5 sacks from linebacker Pernell McPhee and former All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata will return from a four-game suspension for using PEDs, and the Steelers’ offensive line knows it faces perhaps its biggest test of the season.

“It starts there for us and working to minimize their impact on the game and neutralizing them,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “Notice I didn’t say stop. Those are two dynamic players. I am sure that everybody that plays them would like to stop them.

“There’s not a lot of success stopping them, largely, when you look at the big picture in terms of people’s efforts in that regard. We will take our turn at it and work to minimize them.”

The Steelers largely did a good job of that in their two games against Baltimore earlier this season.

While Dumervil had three of Baltimore’s five sacks against the Steelers, who split their two meetings with the Ravens this season, Suggs, who has 14.5 sacks against Pittsburgh in his 12-year career, was shut out.

“We know we have some great pass rushers coming in, so me and Gilbert have got our work cut out for us yet again,” said Steelers left tackle Kelvin Beachum, referring to right tackle Marcus Gilbert. “But that’s the way it is in the NFL.”

Bell had just 79 yards rushing on 21 carries in the two games against the Ravens, but Baltimore had to respect not only his ability to run the ball but his ability to catch it, as well. He had 10 receptions for 96 yards and a score versus the Ravens.

Bell has a unique skill set, one that allowed him to rush for 1,361 yards and catch 83 passes for 854 yards – both team records for a running back – that can’t be duplicated by any one player.

“There will be certain things that we’ll not be able to do,” Roethlisberger conceded.

Few teams have had much success against the Ravens running the ball. Baltimore has not allowed a running back to gain over 100 yards in its past 26 games.

Weather also could be a factor. Forecasts are calling for rain Saturday night, which could turn the game into a battle of the trenches.

“The guys up front will be ready to go,” said Roethlisberger. “This is the playoffs. If you don’t get up for this, there’s something wrong with you. I think the boys up front are going to take it on themselves that they’re going to have to raise their level, just like everybody else does.”

Safety Troy Polamalu, who has missed the past two games with a knee injury, made it through practice again on Thursday and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said Polamalu is ready to play against the Ravens. … Linebacker James Harrison and third-string quarterback Landry Jones were both sent home from practice because of illness.