The Pittsburgh Steelers can wrap up another AFC North crown if they can knock off old rival the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 of the regular season. This is an important game for both side. The Steelers are tied with the New England Patriots for the best record in the AFC and would love to claim the top seed in the postseason.
The Ravens are currently holding on to one of the AFC wild card spots, but the spot is tenuous as there are plenty of teams just a game behind. Baltimore has an elite defense but has struggled to put up points this season. The Steelers will welcome them to Pittsburgh as the favorites looking to clinch the divisional crown in style.
Watch this regular season Week 14 matchup live on Sunday, December 10, 2017, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Heinz Field.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Baltimore Ravens +4.5
Pittsburgh Steelers -4.5
Over/Under 43.5
Odds Analysis
The Steelers are solid favorites but the betting public feels like the oddsmakers have given them too much of an edge, as the Ravens are the more common choice to cover this spread. The scoring total seems a little too high and the action reflects that, with 60 percent of the money coming in on the “under.”
The Ravens are listed at +188 to pull the upset on the moneyline, while the Steelers are -225 to take care of business at home. Each side of the moneyline is being wagered on pretty equally thus far.
Key Stat
18. Both teams are allowing fewer than that number of points per game on the season, so this one could be a defensive battle. Baltimore is a strong unit, led by long-time star pass-rusher Terrell Suggs and safety Eric Weddle.
The Ravens have been really good against the pass, only allowing 217 yards per game through the air on the season. Ben Roethlisberger has the name recognition but has hasn’t been great this season. While Antonio Brown is a superstar weapon, if the Ravens don’t let him go off they may be able to keep the Pittsburgh offense at bay.
The Steelers should have an even better night. They are only allowing 318 total yards per game, which is one of the best marks in the NFL. Furthermore, Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco has been poor this season and Baltimore’s offense has struggled badly as a whole.
The Steelers have some big names on offense but it is their defense which may be able to lead the way in this matchup.
Injury Report
JuJu Smith-Schuster — The Steelers’ rookie wide receiver will not participate in Sunday’s game against the Ravens after being dealt a one-game suspension for a dirty hit on Cincinnati Bengals’ linebacker Vontaze Burfict. The NFL deemed the hit, which resulted in a concussion for Burfict, a violation of the player safety rules. Smith-Schuster has been had a strong rookie season so far with 585 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Ryan Shazier — The Steelers’ linebacker remains in the hospital after suffering a spinal injury in Sunday’s game against the Bengals. The 25-year-old was injured on a tackle early on in the contest and left the game on a stretcher. He was taken immediately to a Cincinnati hospital and has now been transported back to Pittsburgh for further testing.
Jimmy Smith — The Ravens’ cornerback has been placed on injured reserve with an Achilles injury. It is a tough blow in the secondary as he was the team’s best cover man. It’s especially unfortunate considering Pittsburgh boasts a star wideout in Brown, who the Ravens will need to work hard at controlling.
Free ATS Pick
Pittsburgh might have a record of 10-2 but they aren’t quite as dominant as it would suggest. The Patriots are clearly the class of the AFC, while the Steelers settle in somewhere under them. Even so, they are the rightful favorites in this matchup.
Baltimore could pull the upset if it dominates on defense from start to finish, but it’s hard to imagine that Brown, Martavis Bryant and Le’Veon Bell are all held in check throughout the contest.
Take Pittsburgh to come away with enough big plays to win this game, but the spread is too high. Baltimore is the choice to cover in a game in which the “under” is the easy choice on the scoring total.
NFL Odds: Steelers 23, Ravens 18
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