Steelers vs. Ravens Point Spread: NFL Week 16 Odds, Prediction
The Steelers clinched a playoff berth last weekend despite falling 27-13 to Philadelphia in their second loss in three away games but have avoided losing consecutive games on the road for over two years. The Ravens return home after rolling to a lopsided 35-14 victory over the New York Giants in Week 15 and have now scored at least 30 points in each of their past eight wins. However, they have also lost two of their past four overall while averaging just 17.5 points per game in those defeats including last month’s 18-16 loss in Pittsburgh.
The Ravens have emerged as lofty 6-point home favourites on the NFL Week 16 odds. The Steelers lag as a +225 wager on the NFL moneyline and the total has settled at 44.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
With last month’s victory over Baltimore, the Steelers extend their recent dominance over their divisional archrivals. Pittsburgh has now topped the Ravens in eight of their past nine meetings including four straight victories in Baltimore and are 12-4 in 16 matchups since November 2016. The Steelers have also covered in seven of their eight recent head-to-head victories and have won outright in their past six dates with the Ravens as betting underdogs. The Steeler have also been a reliable bet this season, covering in seven of their past nine but have come up short in their past two road games. The Ravens have struggled to produce consistent results since seeing a five-game win streak end in October, posting consecutive wins just once during a middling 4-3 run that has featured three outright losses as betting chalk and are a meagre 2-3-1 ATS this season when favoured by six or more points.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Injuries have emerged as a concern for the Steelers as they prepare for their biggest game so far this season. Among the players to land on the Tuesday injury report. Receiver George Pickens remained absent from Tuesday practice and remains on the mend from a hamstring that has forced the team’s top target to miss the past two games. Tight end Pat Freiermuth has helped fill the void, averaging 46 receiving yards while making scoring catches in teach of the past three games. But that has not been enough to prop up a Steelers passing game that generated just 127 yards per game while Pickens has been sidelined. Joining Pickens in the clinic are quarterback Justin Fields, who suffered an abdominal injury in last week’s loss to the Eagles along with defensive stalwarts TJ Watt and Donte Jackson with ankle and back injuries, respectively.
Baltimore Ravens
Fresh off a Week 14 bye, the Ravens enjoyed a much-needed tonic in last week’s road date with the Giants. After averaging just 21.7 points during a preceding 1-2 run, the Baltimore offence returned to form with an impressive 35-14 win over New York. Lamar Jackson flashed MVP form while connecting on five touchdown passes and has now found the end zone 17 times over his past six outings to go along with one scoring run. However, Jackson was limited to just 207 passing yards and one score, while tossing one pick in last month’s visit to Pittsburgh and has tossed for just five TDs against eight picks in six career appearances versus the Steelers.
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