AFC North Showdown: Pittsburgh Steelers Favored Over Visiting Ravens

NFL News - December 21st, 2009 - Written by Bryan

The Steelers needed all 503 of quarterback Ben Roethlisbergers' passing yards, as well as all 60 minutes of alotted time, to win against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. Roethlisberger fired a 19-yard touchdown pass to the extreme front corner of the end zone to WR Mike Wallace as time expired to defeat Green Bay 37-36, abruptly ending the Steelers' five game losing streak.

Pittsburgh comes into the next game against Baltimore with a feeling that has been absent since Mid-November, due to the fact that they have won a game.

Baltimore thoroughly dominated the Chicago Bears this past week, winning 31-7. In that outing, quarterback Joe Flacco was spectacular, completing 21 of 29 passes for 234 yards and a career high four touchdowns. The Ravens have made a hard push for the playoffs as winner of three of their last four games. Currently Baltimore is slated in the final wild-card spot in the AFC playoffs.

In the last two weeks, the Ravens have out-scored their opponents a combined 79-10 and are clicking on both the offensive and defensive sides of the the football.

The defense has been fantastic the last few weeks, forcing eight turnovers, including six versus the Bears. This has allowed Flacco and the offense opportunities to create points off of those turnovers that have resulted in the lopsided wins.

On the other side line, Pittsburgh finally stopped the bleeding with a win over Green Bay. Never before had a Super Bowl winning team the season before lost six straight games the following season, a feat the Steelers narrowly avoided.

At 7-7, Pittsburgh is a game back in the AFC playoff race and not dead yet. They would first need to get a win over the red-hot Ravens this week.

The Steelers pass defense gave up nearly 400 yards through the air to Packer QB Aaron Rodgers and will need to address coverages to defend a confident Flacco.

The Ravens present a difficult scheme for the Steeler defense because of running back Ray Rice. Rice is a dual threat for the Ravens out of the offensive backfield because he catches the ball well and is very elusive. Against the Detroit Lions two weeks ago, Rice accounted for over 200 total yards of total offense, including a 59-yard touchdown run and a 30-yard screen pass. Pittsburgh will need account for Rice when he is on the field or it could be a long day.

Fortunately, the Steelers have offensive weapons of their own that present match-up issues for the Raven defense. Slot receiver Hines Ward is one the best route runners in the league and is very sure-handed. He has a keen ability to locate holes in zone defenses, and when defenses switch to man, Ward's great route running provides the Steelers an advantage. Baltimore however is very familiar with Ward as the two teams are in the same division.

Complimenting Ward is WR Santonio Holmes. Holmes presented problems for the Ravens secondary in the first match-up of the season between these two teams. Holmes hauled in six receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Both the Raven and Steelers have their seasons riding on the line when they match-up this Sunday.

Oddsmakers have set Pittsburgh as a 2 1/2 point favorite to defeat Baltimore at home. The over/under is currently sitting at 41 points for the contest, according to BetUs Sportsbook.

Recent NFL betting trends indicate that Baltimore is 6-1 ATS in their last seven contests when they are the road underdog of 1/2-3. The total has gone the under in the Ravens last four games following an ATS win.

The over is 10-1 for the Steelers in their last 11 games when labeled a home favorite of 1/2-3 points.