The American TV networks love the Pittsburgh Steelers as they play a fourth straight prime-time game on Sunday to close out Week 14 against the arch-rival Baltimore Ravens.

Point Spread and Betting Analysis

This could be a very dangerous game for Pittsburgh as it’s on a short week after visiting another bitter division rival in Cincinnati on Monday night in a really physical game. Then you have the AFC game of the year next Sunday when the Steelers host the New England Patriots, with the top seed in the AFC playoffs likely on the line.

The Steelers haven’t won three in a row vs. Baltimore since 2008-09 but attempt that here. Last Christmas, Pittsburgh beat the visiting Ravens 31-27 in a classic. Antonio Brown scored a spectacular 4-yard touchdown with nine seconds left to clinch the AFC North for the Steelers, and the loss eliminated the Ravens from the playoffs. They had taken a 27-24 lead with just 1:18 left.

In Week 4 this year, Pittsburgh dominated in a 26-9 victory in Baltimore, the Steelers’ first win there in five years. Le’Veon Bell had 144 yards rushing and two scores on a whopping 35 carries. The Ravens were held to 288 yards and turned it over three times, including two interceptions by Joe Flacco.

In the past 10 meetings overall as a favourite in the series, Pittsburgh is 6-4 SU but just 3-6-1 ATS.

Baltimore Ravens

If Baltimore (7-5 SU, 6-5-1 ATS) has any shot at winning the AFC North, it has to have this game but would be eliminated from division contention with a loss. The Ravens are trending up, winning a third in a row Sunday, 44-20 over visiting Detroit. That was a season high in points scored for a below-average offence. Flacco threw for 269 yards and two scores. The Ravens lead the NFL in turnovers forced and had three against the Lions. Two set up touchdowns and the third was a 45-yard interception return for a score by Eric Weddle.

However, top cornerback Jimmy Smith left with an Achilles’ tendon injury and is done for the year. Smith wasn’t even touched on the play where he was injured. He was leading the NFL with a passer rating of just 37 on throws against him. Rookie first-rounder Marlon Humphrey replaced Smith (who actually was also just suspended four games for PED use) and was burned a couple of times.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Had the Steelers (10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS) been playing probably any team other than the rival Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night, Pittsburgh would be coming off a loss. But for whatever reason, the Bengals generally manage to implode against the Steelers. That was the case Monday as Cincinnati blew a 17-0 lead and lost 23-20 in a game that was easily the most brutal of the season with dirty hits galore. Pittsburgh’s Brown was a game-time call after not practicing last week due to a toe injury but played and caught the tying 6-yard TD pass with 3:51 left. The Bengals quickly went three-and-out and Pittsburgh won on a Chris Boswell field goal with no time left.

It was the third time in the past four games the Steelers, who are now on a seven-game winning streak, won on a Boswell field goal with zeroes on the clock. The news wasn’t all good as one of Pittsburgh’s best defenders, linebacker Ryan Shazier, was carted off with a scary-looking injury (that hit wasn’t dirty). He has been diagnosed with a spinal contusion but could move his legs. Shazier obviously won’t play this week.

Ravens vs Steelers Prediction