This week’s NFL Game Previews and Picks matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) and the Baltimore Ravens (4-10) will give the Steelers a chance to add to their three-game winning streak. This game will feature the NFL’s top receiver, Antonio Brown (1,586 yards, 9 TDs). It starts at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec 27 and can be seen on CBS.
The Ravens and Steelers last met in Week 4, when Baltimore snuck by Pittsburgh 23-20. Justin Forsett had a great outing on the ground in that game, rushing for 150 yards on 27 carries. Le’Veon Bell had an outstanding performance on the ground for Pittsburgh, gaining 129 yards and one TD on 22 carries.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the Baltimore-Pittsburgh game this week is set at 48 points, and the Steelers are a considerable 10-point favorite.
Heading into Week 16 of league action, the Ravens are 4-10 Straight Up (SU) and 3-9-2 Against The Spread (ATS). In the past five games, Baltimore is 2-3 SU and 2-2-1 ATS. The Ravens passing game will face below-average pass coverage. The Steelers currently rank 31st in the NFL with 279.1 passing yards allowed per game. During their last five games, the Ravens have done an improved job in total defense stats, giving up 294 yards per game. A strong start could benefit Baltimore, because the Steelers are one of the league’s worst at allowing points in fourth quarter road games. They’ve given up an average of 9.8 fourth-quarter points on the road this season.
As for their opponent, the Steelers have 9-5 SU and 7-4-3 ATS records this season. In the previous five games, Pittsburgh has a record of 4-1 SU and 3-1-1 ATS. They come into the game averaging 27.0 points per game, but those numbers could spike. The Ravens give up an average of 27.3 points at home, making them one of the worst defensive teams in the league. If earlier games are a sign of the future, the Steelers will throw the ball frequently on offense. They average 277.2 passing yards per road game, good enough for fourth in the NFL. The Steelers look to exploit Baltimore’s subpar offense, which averages 19.9 points per home game. Pittsburgh’s fifth-ranked run defense has given its competition issues. Opponents have run for 89.4 yards per game against this scary bunch. The Ravens need to recognize the importance of ball security against the turnover-minded Steelers. The Pittsburgh defense ranks fifth in the league in turnovers with 1.9 per game. The Steelers generally save their best for last, averaging a league-best 9.1 points in the fourth quarter. There is a possibility to see many yellow flags on the field when the Ravens are playing. They are one of the most penalized teams in the NFL with 7.6 infractions per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pit, ATS Winner – Pit, O/U – Under
Notes
Baltimore is 3-9-2 ATS in its last 14 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 6 games.
Baltimore is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games.
Baltimore is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home.
Baltimore is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home.
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh.
Baltimore is 2-4-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Pittsburgh.
Baltimore is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh is 6-3 SU this season, when leading at the half. Baltimore is 1-2 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Remarkably, Pittsburgh is winless (0-4) SU in games where it wins the turnover battle, yet 7-1 SU when losing the turnover battle.
Baltimore is an even 3-3 SU this season when allowing at least 3.0 sacks in a game. The Pittsburgh defense is averaging 3.6 sacks over its last five games.
The Baltimore passing attack is ranked eighth in the league, while the Pittsburgh pass defense is only ranked 31st. The Steelers’ passing game is ranked fifth, compared to the 15th-ranked pass defense of the Ravens.
Baltimore has allowed 27.3 points per game at home this year, which ranks it only 28th in the league. Pittsburgh has scored 22.2 points per game on the road (ranked 15th overall).
