The Ravens have eight players who were classified as starters at the start of the year currently on injured reserve and 19 total on the list. That kinda sums up the season for coach John Harbaugh. Baltimore will give its best shot in this AFC North battle and a sweep of the Steelers would lessen the blow of a disappointing campaign. But that’s unlikely to happen with a group of minor leaguers suiting up.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Baltimore Ravens +9.5
Pittsburgh Steelers -9.5
Over/Under 47
ODDS ANALYSIS
It’s been a miserable season for the Ravens and their backers. Baltimore is just 3-9-2 ATS this season and things could get much worse for the injury-ravaged club against their hated AFC North rivals. The line was wagered to Pittsburgh -10 while the total held firm at 47.
KEY INJURIES
Mike Mitchell – Suffered a shoulder injury two weeks ago and re-injured the joint last week against Denver. Pittsburgh’s starting safety will be limited in practice in hopes he’s ready to play on Sunday. If not, Shamarko Thomas could see increased reps.
Jimmy Smith – The Ravens’ top cornerback injured his thigh last week and skipped practice on Wednesday. He’s questionable to play against Pittsburgh’s dangerous passing attack. If he can’t, Baltimore will use Lardarius Webb, Shareece Wright and Jumal Rolle against the Steelers’ trio of receivers.
Matt Schaub – Missed the last two games due to concussion-like symptoms and a chest injury and is questionable to return Sunday. Jimmy Clausen started the last two games, but was largely ineffective. Baltimore could turn to recently signed Ryan Mallett.
KEY MISMATCH
The Steelers were not afraid to attack the No. 1 passing defense in the NFL last week. They most certainly won’t be tentative in attacking the Ravens, who are 15th in the league against the pass and have allowed 10 plays of 40 yards or more this season. Since scoring its season low in a 16-10 loss to Cincinnati in Week 8, Pittsburgh has averaged an AFC-best 35.0 points and league-high 474.5 yards while scoring more than 30 in six straight games for the first time in the franchise’s 82-year history. Ben Roethlisberger has been a catalyst during this stretch, throwing for an average of 365.8 yards – by far the league’s best – to go along with 13 touchdowns. The Steelers are coming off a game in which Roethlisberger threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns against the Broncos, and the Ravens are a little banged up in the secondary.
KEY STAT
27.0 – Pittsburgh’s fifth-ranked points per game average. The Steelers are scoring 35.0 points a game over their last six and face Baltimore’s 25th-ranked scoring defense.
BETTING ANGLE
Roethlisberger and the Steelers have played elite level football in their last 10 December games, posting a 10-0 SU and 9-0-1 ATS record. They’ve been on a serious roll this December with three straight wins, scoring a total of 112 points in those games while going 2-0-1 ATS. It’s been a horrible campaign for Harbaugh and the Ravens, who have lost three straight, including two in a row at home where they allowed a total of 69 points. They still haven’t been able to cover a spread at home, going 0-6-1 ATS this season and 0-9-1 ATS dating back to last season.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
A quick glance at Baltimore’s list of injured players won’t go so fast. The Ravens have been decimated more than any team in the league by injuries and again will be without their starting quarterback, running back, tight end, top receiver, linebacker and some linemen, to name a few. It’s hard enough to win football games when your team is relatively healthy, it’s nearly impossible when the nameplates are on the front of the jersey. The Ravens will battle and claw and compete, that’s what Harbaugh’s team does, but playing blindfolded with one arm tied behind their back, they just don’t have enough to beat the Steelers.
Pittsburgh 34, Baltimore 16
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