Steelers vs. Ravens Pick
Will the Pittsburgh Steelers get their QB back this week when they face the Baltimore Ravens at 1PM ET on Sunday? If so, what will it mean for the total?
According to the oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Ravens are a slight home favorite in this game, as Baltimore is getting odds of -1 point against the Steelers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 44 points. Baltimore has won three straight over Pittsburgh and five of the last six in the series. These two are 3-1-1 with the under in their last five meetings.
Pittsburgh has lost back-to-back games, but coming off a bye and hoping to get healthy. The Steelers are now 4-3 on the season and 5-2 with the under. Ben Roethlisberger has been dealing with a torn meniscus that sidelined him for the loss to the Patriots, but he is listed as questionable for this game and could play. Pittsburgh is a very dangerous offense with him on the field, as they average 24.3 points and 385.4 yards per game this season, including 280.9 passing yards per contest. He has thrown for 1,685 yards and 16 touchdowns this year. Le’Veon Bell has run for 344 yards since returning from suspension while Antonio Brown has caught 48 passes for 592 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, Pittsburgh has held opponents to just 21.4 points per game, yet is giving up 394.1 yards per contest. The defense is failing to create much of a pass rush, raking up only 8 sacks this season.
Baltimore is also coming off a bye, but the Ravens are really struggling. They have lost four straight to fall to 3-4 on the season. They are also 3-3-1 with the over/under total this year. The Ravens are also dealing with a lot of injuries this year. On defense, they are giving up 19.9 points and 316.4 yards per game. Their run defense is allowing just 81.9 rushing yards per contest. The unit is hoping to get Terrell Suggs back from a bicep injury. He is listed as questionable to play. Suggs has a team-high 5 sacks this season. Offensively, Baltimore is averaging 19 points and 348.7 yards per game. The Ravens have struggled to run the ball, averaging just 86.3 yards per game on the ground. Leading rusher Terrance West is questionable to play in this game due to an ankle injury. He has 424 yards and three touchdowns this year. Joe Flacco has thrown for 1,837 yards and five touchdowns, but has six interceptions. He’s hoping Steve Smith Sr. is able to return from an ankle injury that has kept him out of the past few games.
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The Ravens have struggled lately, and that includes the defense. They have given up at least 24 points in three of their last four. When Big Ben is healthy, Pittsburgh is tough to stop. They have scored at least 24 points in four of his five full games this season. Pittsburgh seems optimistic he will play, and while he won’t be 100 percent, he is a stationary quarterback as is. His knee injury shouldn’t impact him as much as it might other QB’s. Look for him to help lead this game to an over.
NFL WEEK 9 PICK: INDIANAPOLIS STEELERS/RAVENS OVER 44