Ravens Steelers Line

Written by Steve Janus

The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Baltimore Ravens in the much anticipated rematch between these two AFC North rivals. The Ravens really made a statement in a 35-7 win over Pittsburgh in week 1, but it’s the Steelers who have looked like the better team of late. Pittsburgh is coming off an impressive 25-17 win over New England for their fourth straight win, while the Ravens needed to rally from 21 down to beat the lowly Arizona Cardinals 30-27. Both teams are tied for first in the division with the Cincinnati Bengals at 5-2.

Taking a look at the week 9 NFL lines, oddsmakers currently have Pittsburgh favored by 3-points over Baltimore with the total set at 42 points.

Baltimore Ravens:

The Ravens have had their ups and downs in the early half of the 2011 season. Outside of a 37-7 win over the St Louis Rams, the Ravens have really played to the level of their competition this season. They have impressive wins over Pittsburgh, New York, and Houston, but have not looked very sharp in their last two games against Jacksonville and Arizona. The Ravens offense was completely shutdown in a 7-12 loss to the Jaguars on Monday Night Football, and needed a huge second half against Arizona after trailing 24-6 at intermission.

In the first meeting against the Steelers the Ravens surprised everyone with how easily they moved the ball against the Steelers defense. Joe Flacco threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns, while Ray Rice and Ricky Williams combined for 170 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

It was almost as if the Ravens caught the Steelers off guard in that game, and I have a pretty good feeling it won’t be so easy offensively this time around. Ray Rice scored three times in the win over Arizona, but has managed just 91 yards on the ground over his last two games. Despite giving up 170 yards in week 1, Pittsburgh comes 8th against the run, allowing just 99.1 ypg.

Flacco has been hit or miss this season when it comes to big games. He threw for 336 yards in the win over Arizona last week, but had just 137 in the loss to Jacksonville the previous week. In the last six games Flacco has thrown for over 300 yards in three games and failed to reach 200 in the other three. The Steelers bring in the No. 1 ranked pass defense in the NFL, allowing just 171.6 ypg.

Pittsburgh Steelers:

There’s no doubt that the Steelers have had this game circled from the moment the clock hit 0:00 in the first game. With the way this team has played of late, you have to think they aren’t going to just let the Ravens walk all over them this time around.

The big key for the Steelers in this game will be taking care of the football. Pittsburgh actually moved the ball pretty well against the Ravens defense, totaling 312 yard of offense, but were doomed by seven turnovers. They have done a lot better job of taking care of the football during their four game winning streak, turning it over just three times.

The player that is going to make or break this game for the Steelers is quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who comes in playing some of the best football of his career. Over the last four games, Roethlisberger has thrown for at least 200 yards in each game with 11 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He was at his best last week against the Patriots, throwing for 365 yards on 36 of 50 passing. Roethlisberger threw for 280 yards and a touchdown against the Ravens in week 1, but all he is going to remember is his three interceptions in what was about as bad a game as Pittsburgh could play.

It isn’t going to be easy for Pittsburgh to move the ball offensively against what figures to be a fired up Ravens defense. Baltimore comes in 3rd against the run (89.1 ypg) and 3rd against the pass (174.1 ypg).

Betting Trends:

Baltimore is 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.

Pittsburgh is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite.

Be sure to stop back and check out who Steve Janus has picked to win this week in the NFL.

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