It isn't often that you see a team favored which is 0-3. It's also not that often that you see a team with a losing record favored on the road in a divisional game. Then again, it's not every day that you see the Baltimore Ravens at 0-3 either. In fact, it's the first time in Ravens history that they are sporting that winless mark through three weeks, yet they are favored to notch their first 'W' when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers this Thursday.
WHEN THE BALTIMORE RAVENS HAVE THE BALL
The Ravens finally woke up from their offensive slumber last week in Cincinnati in the second half, but we still have some real issues with the way they are playing. It's like they've forgotten who they are and refuse to run the football.
Justin Forsett has had just 39 carries for 124 yards this season, a far cry from his 1,266 yards and eight TDs he picked up last year after Ray Rice was dismissed from the NFL. Joe Flacco has had to put the ball in the air 126 times already in three games, which would put him on a pace for 672 passes. He has only throw it more than 555 times once in his career.
The end result is higher scoring games and more plays, which is great for over bettors, but it just isn't working out for the Ravens. Flacco can't do this all on his own, and live bettors have to know that. Games like last week against Cincinnati in which the Ravens fought back from behind twice only to still lose 28-24 won't happen often. More often than not, if this team falls behind by two scores, it's lights out.
WHEN THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS HAVE THE BALL
The million dollar question in this game is how Michael Vick is going to look running this offense. Remember that most quarterbacks and their backups had a full training camp and preseason to get used to things. Vick has now had a grand total of six weeks with his team, and he probably didn't envision having to start in this game against the Ravens.
So though there is a big question as to what Vick will be able to bring to the table after looking lost at times against the Rams in relief, we can focus on a lot of what we do know.
We know the Steelers are going to get the ball into Le'Veon Bell's hands a ton. Bell is still fresher than most having served his two-game suspension to start off the year, and even if he needs to be spelled, the man who led the AFC in rushing through two weeks was DeAngelo Williams, who was a forgotten character all of a sudden in Week 3.
We also know that the Ravens are going to be aggressive. They always are, and even though Terrell Suggs' season is over with thanks to a torn Achilles, this unit still has made some big time plays in his absence.
Live bettors should be prepared for a lot of negative plays in the Pittsburgh passing game, though Vick will surely make some big moments happen, too. When you've got the NFL's most consistent receiver in Antonio Brown, you're never going to be left deserted if you're the quarterback.
TREND TO TRACK
There's a lot of history here between these two teams, of course, but surprisingly, a lot of that recent history includes one-sided games. Last season's three meetings were all decided by at least 13 points. However, prior to that, these two clubs played five games in a row which were decided by three points or fewer.
Live bettors will get the feel of this one relatively early. Teams just don't come back from big deficits in this AFC North rivalry, so if one team gets up by double digits early on, don't be afraid to pull the trigger and lay the lumber in live betting.
BookMaker opened the spread for this Thursday game at -2.5 in favor of the Baltimore Ravens. The NFL odds total surfaced at 43.5. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The game between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers is scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2015, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Heinz Field. The game will be broadcast on CBS and the NFL Network.
