The Steelers will do battle with the visiting Baltimore Ravens in divisional playoff odds action Saturday, looking to bolster their record and fatten the pocketbooks of bettors who back them.
They will face the 12-4 Ravens, who own a 8-7-1 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the Steelers are 7-9 favoring the UNDER so far this season while the Ravens are 7-9 favoring the OVER.
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Betting Line: Sportsbooks had the Steelers pegged as 3.5-point favorites in this matchup but that number has settled at -3 at most shops such as Sportsbook. The total, meanwhile, was listed by the books at 36.5.
Power Rankings / Prediction: This game matches up the No. 2 (Steelers) and the No. 10 (Ravens) teams in the league, according to our current NFL Power Rankings at OddsShark. A 28-25 result in favor of the Steelers is predicted by handicapping models.
The Ravens were a 30-7 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against the Chiefs. They covered the 3–point spread as favorites, while the total score (37) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors. In their last gridiron battle, Todd Heap did much of the damage, producing 108 receiving yards as Baltimore beat the Chiefs 30-7 at Arrowhead Stadium.
There is a unique prop bet at Sportsbook which asks whether either Troy Polamolu or Ed Reed will pick off a pass.
In their last action, Pittsburgh was a 41-9 Sportsbook on the road against the Browns. They covered the 6.5–point spread as favorites, while the combined score (50) was profitable news for OVER bettors. In their last gridiron battle, Mike Wallace did much of the damage, producing 105 receiving yards as Pittsburgh beat the Browns 41-9 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
How They Matchup: Offensively, the game matches up Pittsburgh's #12-ranked offense (23.4 PPG) against a Ravens defense that ranks #3 at 16.9 PPG. The Steelers passing attack has averaged 225.1 yards per game, more than the Ravens give up through the air (224.9 YPG on average).
Defensively, the Ravens feature the league's #7-rated road run defense, allowing 101.8 yards per game. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, ranks #14 in rushing offense at home.
Baltimore Ravens Trends:
When playing in January are 6-4
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing within the division are 6-4
Pittsburgh Steelers Trends:
When playing in January are 8-2
When playing on grass are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing within the division are 6-4
A few Ravens at Steelers trends to consider:
Baltimore is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Baltimore's last 11 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore's last 7 games
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Pittsburgh is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Baltimore
Pittsburgh is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 11 games when playing at home against Baltimore
Prop Odds courtesy of Sportsbook
Total Passing Yards – Joe Flacco
Over /Under 230.5
Total Rushing Yards – Ray Rice
Over/Under 57.5
Total Receiving Yards – Anquan Boldin
Over/Under 60.5
Total Receiving Yards – Todd Heap
Over/Under 47.5
Total Passing Yards – Ben Roethlisberger
Over/Under 255.5
Total Rushing Yards – Rashard Mendenhall
Over/Under 62.5
Total Receiving Yards – Mike Wallace
Over/Under 75.5
Will Troy Polamalu or Ed Reed Intercept a Pass?
Yes +125
No -155
