Steelers @ Ravens Sunday Night - Preview, Pick, Props

While the playoff implications surrounding the Steelers visit to Baltimore on Sunday night aren’t game-changing, both teams still have a lot to play for. First of all, this is one of the great rivalries in sports. “It’s Pittsburgh Steelers week,” Chris Horton, Baltimore’s special teams coordinator, said. “I think everyone understands what that means around here.”

If the Dolphins beat the Patriots early on Sunday, the Steelers are out of the playoff hunt. However, coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in 16 years with Pittsburgh, and probably doesn’t want to start now. The Steelers haven’t had a losing season since 2003 and currently sit at 7-8 with only the Ravens and Browns left on the schedule. The Cleveland game is at home so if they can get by the Ravens today, they’ve got a decent shot at finishing the season with a winning record. And if the Dolphins win, they still might even have a shot at the playoffs, although it’s a very long one. 

As for the Ravens, they sit at 10-5 and have already clinched a postseason berth. But there are still things for them to play for, as well. Baltimore is just 1.0 games behind the Bengals for first place in the AFC North. A Ravens win tonight would make their season finale against the Bengals nearly a must-win game for both teams in order to win the division. 

Quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) is out again and the Ravens are just hoping to have him healthy for the playoffs at this point. Tyler Huntley should be in line for another start tonight and has led the Ravens to three wins in their last four games, with the only loss coming at Cleveland on Dec. 17 with the wins coming against the Broncos, Steelers and lowly Falcons. In those four games, Huntley has town for just one touchdown and two picks, with a rushing TD, as well. 

The Ravens will be looking to get it done on the ground again behind lead back J.K. Dobbins. Dobbins torched the Steelers for 120 yards and a TD on 15 carries in their last meeting, while Gus Edwards carried the ball 13 times for 66 yards. The Ravens amassed a total of 215 rushing yards in that game so you have to think the Steelers will do a better job against it the second time around. I wouldn’t count on much of anything through the air for the Ravens tonight, as Huntley hasn’t proven he can put the ball in the end zone to his receivers. Tight End Mark Andrews only had two catches for 17 yards in their last meeting and hasn’t had more than four catches in a game or caught a touchdown pass since Jackson got hurt. Then again, he wasn’t catching TDs when Jackson was healthy, with his last one coming way back on Oct. 16. 

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Kenny Pickett will be quarterbacking for the Steelers tonight but it was Mitch Trubisky at the helm for the previous meeting, which the Ravens won 16-14. The Steelers have gotten wins with Pickett lately, taking down the Saints, Colts, Falcons and Raiders to win four of their last six games. He’s coming off one of his best games, a 13-10 win over Las Vegas in which he hit 26-of-39 passes for 244 yards, one touchdown and one interception. George Pickens got into the end zone in that one, while Pat Freiermuth led the way with seven catches for 66 yards, and Diontae Johnson caught five for 64. Despite catching 31 balls and gaining 353 yards over the last five games, Johnson has yet to score a touchdown this season. He’s due and I’m guessing it happens tonight. 

The Ravens defense has really come around so Pickett may have his hands full tonight. They’ve allowed just 45 points (11.25 ppg) over their last four games, but then again, those games were against some pretty marginal talent. The Ravens run defense is also solid, allowing just 87.5 yards per game and only 3.8 yards per carry, meaning running back Najee Harris might be in for a long day, as well. 

Top Oddscrowd performer burdspencer likes the under (36 points) tonight and moggy_doggy likes the Steelers and the points. The bottom line is that the Ravens are a playoff team, are still trying to win the AFC North, have home-field advantage tonight and only have to win by a field goal. This is likely to be some ugly, in-your-face football but I like the Ravens and their running backs to take care of business at home.

Pick: Ravens -2

Prop 1: Diontae Johnson Touchdown +270 at FanDuel

Prop 2: J.K. Dobbins Touchdown +200 at FanDuel

Prop 3: Pat Freiermuth Touchdown +370 at FanDuel