Ravens vs. Steelers Recent Matchups
The Steelers lead the series 36-25, and have dominated in recent years, winning eight of their last nine matchups with Baltimore, including the last four games played in Baltimore. Pittsburgh have also won the last four matches which includes a 18-16 win in the most recent clash in November. and if they win this meeting they will take the AFC North with it.
Ravens Betting Info
The Baltimore Ravens (9-5) enter this game as the favorites, with a spread of -6. The team has covered the spread in 3 of the 6 games where they were favored by 6 or more points this season. The total for the game is set at 45.5 points, and the Ravens have hit the over in 78.6% of their games this year with a 9-4 record as moneyline favorites.
Key Ravens Players
Lamar Jackson has been stellar in 2024, ranking fifth in the NFL with 3,580 passing yards and second in touchdowns with 34. He’s also added 743 rushing yards, further establishing his dual-threat capabilities. Derrick Henry, who ranks second in the NFL with 1,474 rushing yards, has been the anchor of the Ravens' ground game. In the receiving game, Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have been key contributors, with Flowers totaling 916 yards and Bateman adding 654 yards and seven touchdowns.
On defense, Roquan Smith leads the team with 127 tackles, while Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey provide excellent support in both tackling and coverage.
Steelers Betting Info
The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) have performed well against the spread this season, posting a 10-4-0 record. However, they have struggled to hit the over, doing so only 7 times this season. As underdogs in six games, Pittsburgh has proven resolute, winning five of those contests. Despite being given a 30.8% chance of victory based on the moneyline, the Steelers' defensive prowess and knack for taking advantage of turnovers keep them competitive in any matchup.
Key Steelers Players
Najee Harris leads the Steelers' backfield with 891 rushing yards, although his 3.9 yards per carry reflect some inconsistency. Russell Wilson has been solid at quarterback, throwing for 1,912 yards and 13 touchdowns, while George Pickens continues to be the top receiving option with 850 yards and five touchdowns. T.J. Watt, the Steelers' defensive leader, has posted 11.5 sacks, while Cameron Heyward has contributed 8 sacks and 60 tackles from the interior.
Key Matchup: Linebackers vs. Ravens Offense
Pittsburgh’s linebackers, especially Patrick Queen, will be pivotal in containing Baltimore’s versatile offense. The Steelers' defense has historically been successful in limiting Jackson, but the Ravens have the potential to break off big plays. Queen’s familiarity with the Ravens’ scheme, having spent his first few years in Baltimore, will add an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup.
Injury Report
For the Steelers, T.J. Watt (ankle) is expected to play despite early-week practice limitations, while George Pickens will miss his third straight game due to a hamstring injury. On the defensive side, DeShon Elliott (hamstring) is doubtful, and Donte Jackson (back) and Larry Ogunjobi (groin) are questionable.
The Ravens are dealing with injuries to Nelson Agholor (concussion) and Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring), both of whom missed practice time earlier in the week.
Stats & Analysis
The Steelers’ defense ranks among the league’s best, allowing just 18.9 points per game. However, their secondary will be tested against Jackson’s prolific passing attack. On the flip side, Baltimore’s defense has struggled against the pass but has been dominant against the run, ranking first in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (80.7).
The Ravens' offense, ranked third in points scored (29.9 per game), will look to exploit the Steelers' pass defense). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s offense will rely on Russell Wilson to maintain efficiency, especially in the absence of George Pickens.
Conclusion
This matchup between two AFC North rivals promises to be another tight, competitive battle. While the Ravens have struggled against Pittsburgh in recent seasons, they remain the favorites in this game, with Lamar Jackson aiming to finally overcome his Steelers' struggles. For the Steelers, T.J. Watt and the defense will need to slow down Jackson’s dynamic playmaking ability, while Russell Wilson and the offense must continue to produce despite key injuries. With AFC North implications on the line, expect another intense, hard-fought game between these two teams.
