Duck Hodges was temporarily benched before Mason Rudolph suffered another injury during the Steelers’ 16-10 loss to the Jets. Pittsburgh is now 8-7 straight up and 7-6-2 against the spread this season.
The Browns defense held Baltimore scoreless the first 28 minutes and 42 seconds, but allowed 31 points over the final 31 minutes and 18 seconds as the Ravens rallied to beat Cleveland 30-15 and clinch the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. Baltimore improved to 13-2 SU and 9-5-1 ATS by covering -10 against the Browns.
- Date/Time: December 29, 4:25 p.m. ET
- Stadium: M&T Bank Stadium
- TV Coverage: CBS
- Sportsbook Odds: Baltimore -3 | O/U 41
- Steelers vs Ravens Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Baltimore opened as a 3-point home favorite, but with nothing to play for, the spread dipped to Ravens -1. The Steelers moneyline opened at -101 and the point total at 41. The total has gone UNDER in five consecutive Steelers-Ravens games in Baltimore and in 12 of the Steelers’ last 14 AFC North road games.
In order to make the playoffs, Pittsburgh needs to beat the Ravens and have the Titans lose at Houston.
With their 11th consecutive win, the Ravens secured home field throughout the AFC playoffs.
Pittsburgh News & Notes
The Steelers’ Week 17 injury report is ugly. Mason Rudolph is out with a shoulder injury. Running back James Conner is questionable with a quad injury until the results of his MRI are released. Center Maurkice Pouncey is also questionable with a leg injury. So, it’s very likely the Steelers will start their third-string quarterback and second-string center against the Ravens with the playoffs on the line.
When Mike Tomlin first decided to bench Rudolph and start Devlin “Duck” Hodges, his reasoning was simple: “He hasn’t killed us.” Well, after tossing six interceptions in less than two games, Hodges killed Pittsburgh and Tomlin benched him until Rudolph’s injury.
Whether or not the Steelers can beat the Ravens’ second string will come down to Hodges’ ability to embrace his innner-game manager again. Before losses to the Bills and Jets, he had won four straight while averaging 153.5 pass yards per contest. It’s truly going to take a team effort of Hodges playing mistake-free football, a running back committee churning out some yards and T.J. Watt’s defense getting pressure on Robert Griffin III, forcing multiple turnovers and disrupting the Ravens offense.
Baltimore News & Notes
John Harbaugh said Monday that Lamar Jackson, Marshal Yanda, Brandon Williams, Mark Ingram and Earl Thomas will NOT play Sunday. So, RG3 gets the start at quarterback and Gus Edwards will be the team’s lead running back.
With Ingram suffering a calf injury against the Browns, Edwards’ top priority is to remain healthy should Ingram suffer a setback in his rehab ahead of the divisional playoff round.
Betting Pick: UNDER and Steelers ML
With no motivation to win, the Ravens’ top priority is to keep their depth chart healthy, while Pittsburgh needs a Week 17 victory to keep its playoff hopes alive. Yes, even with Duck Hodges at quarterback, somehow Mike Tomlin turns his offensive chicken droppings into chicken soup and pulls out this win.
- The Steelers are 3-7 SU in their last 10 road games.
- The Ravens are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the Steelers’ last 10 games in the late afternoon.
