We have to address the elephant in the room regarding the Steelers and that’s Pro Bowl running back Le’Veon Bell, arguably the best all-around tailback in the league. He has yet to play this season because he hasn’t signed his franchise tag. He must show by Nov. 13 or he won’t become an unrestricted free agent this winter.

It’s a sure thing that Bell will report by then because free agency is what this mess is all about. What some believe is that Bell will show up at 4:01 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Why then? That’s one minute after the trade deadline, and that way Bell assures that the Steelers can’t deal him. Bell is a fabulous player but his replacement, James Conner, has been just as good.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Baltimore goes for the season sweep as in Week 4 it was a 3-point underdog in Pittsburgh but won 26-14. It was 14-all at halftime, with all the points after intermission coming on four Justin Tucker field goals. Joe Flacco threw for 363 yards and two scores. Ben Roethlisberger for 274 with a touchdown and interception. Conner did struggle in that one with 19 carries on nine years. Pittsburgh attempted only 11 running plays to 30 for the Ravens.

Pittsburgh has covered just one of the past six meetings. The total has gone under in the previous four in Baltimore.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers haven’t lost since that Ravens game and won their third straight Sunday, 33-18 over Cleveland – which apparently was the last straw for Browns ownership, which fired Coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley (a former Steelers OC). Conner was terrific in rushing for 146 yards and two scores – his third straight two-TD rushing game – and catching five balls for 66 yards.

Conner has 922 scrimmage yards, the second-most in franchise history through the first seven games of a season. Antonio Brown caught both of Roethlisberger’s TD passes. It was an emotional setting in Pittsburgh the day after that mass shooting at a synagogue in the city. The Steelers are 2-8 ATS in their past 10 following a win.

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore has dropped three of four since beating Pittsburgh and perhaps needs the bye that’s coming in Week 10. The Ravens were largely dominated Sunday in a 36-21 loss at Carolina. Flacco threw for only 192 yards and was picked off twice; his game has tailed off the past month.

The NFL’s top-ranked defence didn’t look like it as the Panthers scored on four straight drives in the final 16 minutes of the first half. The Baltimore defence has given up six touchdowns and four field goals on its last 13 full drives. Guys could be wearing down. The Ravens are 5-1 ATS in their past six after a loss.

Steelers vs. Ravens Prediction