NFL Odds – Compelling Divisional Showdown – Steelers vs. Ravens Sunday Night

Rivalries are a big part of football and NFL Betting Odds are that there is not a more violent rivalry than the one between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.

These teams will square off on Sunday night with the winner taking the lead in a very tight AFC North division. If you don’t tune into this one, you are likely not a football fan!

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PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-3) vs. BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-3)

Sunday, December 5, 8:20 PM ET

M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Broadcast: NBC

NFL Odds:

Pittsburgh: +3 (-120)

Baltimore: -3 (+100)

Moneyline: Pittsburgh +130: Baltimore -150

Total: 40 points

The Pittsburgh Steelers are NFL Odds underdogs going into their crucial showdown with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13. True, they lost the first meeting of the season but it took a last minute touchdown by the Ravens to defeat the Charlie Batch led Steelers in that one. Ben Roethlisberger is back and although it has been revealed that he has a broken foot, he still gives the Steelers a much better chance of victory than Mr. Batch.

The Pittsburgh passing game currently ranks 22nd in the NFL, and is a far cry from the Rothlisbergerless squad that played the first four weeks of the season. Roethlisberger has injected life into the passing game and leads the league in passing since his Week 6 return from suspension. His health is a concern and his play is the key to victory against their hated division rivals.

It is unlikely that the Steelers 9th ranked running game will do much damage against Baltimore’s 11th ranked run defense. A smashmouth brand of football may have to be abandoned on favor of a passing attack that features the newest NFL superstar Mike Wallace, dependable veteran Hines Ward and Heath Miller. Look for the running game to simply be employed to keep the Baltimore defense honest and to keep the Ravens away from their banged up Stud quarterback.

The Steelers defense has been all that is advertised. They currently rank 22nd versus the pass (240.55 yards per game) and 1st against the run (64 yards per game). Injuries have plagued this unit but Troy Polomalu and the boys are amped and ready to avenge a 17-14 loss to Baltimore in Week 4.

The Baltimore Ravens have become Football Betting Odds favorites this season with their balanced attack. No longer are the Ravens a defense first team, the offense is formidable and is easily in the top third of NFL offenses.

Joe Flacco has the Baltimore passing game ranked 16th but the numbers are a bit of a mirage. Flacco has picked up his game recently and in his last six games, he has tossed 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Flacco, Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and Todd Heap have led the Ravens to eight straight home wins and Flacco himself is 10-1 in his last 11 games at home.

Like the Steelers, the 11th ranked running game figures to simply be utilized to keep the Pittsburgh defense off balance. It is hard to imagine Ray Rice doing much in this game against the league’s top rush defenses.

Baltimore’s defense will certainly be a challenge for Big Ben and the boys. They currently have the 7th ranked pass defense (205.64 yards per game) and have been bolstered by the return of Ed Reed from a hip injury. Reed has four interceptions and one forced fumble since his return.

NFL Odds Outlook:

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games but are just 2-4 ATS in their last six. They are 6-1 SU in their last seven games on the road. Against Baltimore, the Steelers are 4-2 SU in their last six games, are 4-7-1 ATS in their last 12, 1-6 SU in their last seven games at Baltimore and are 2-4 ATS in their last six when visiting M&T Bank Stadium.

The Baltimore Ravens are 4-1 SU in their last five games but are 2-3-1 ATS in their last six. The Ravens are 5-0 SU at home this season. They are 2-4 SU in their last six versus Pittsburgh in their last six and 1-3-1 ATS in their last five against the Steelers. Baltimore is 6-1 SU in their last seven home games versus Pittsburgh and is 4-8-1 ATS in their last 13 at home versus the Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers injury woes are well documented and now you can add Ben Roethlisberger to the mix. It is likely that this would have been a pick ‘em game with a 100% healthy Big Ben but the injury certainly raises a red flag. Baltimore has been money at home this season and with Joe Flacco playing the way that he is, the Steelers are behind the eight ball. I love the Ravens to cover in this situation against a Steelers team that probably should have lost last week to the Buffalo Bills.

NFL Odds Pick: Baltimore Ravens -3