NFL Picks: Few rivalries in all of sports can match the brutal hatred of the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. One of the main reasons for the rivalry is that in most years the Ravens and Steelers are playing for high stakes and that is again the case this season with both in AFC playoff contention and with a shot at the AFC North title.
The Steelers will host the Ravens at Heinz Field on Sunday night with coverage on NBC starting at 8:30 PM ET. This game opened as a pick ’em with a total of 48.
Raven for Sweep
The Ravens scored a 26-6 win at Pittsburgh in week two. Baltimore is 5-3 straight up, 4-3-1 against the spread, and 4-4 on totals after a 27-24 loss at Cincinnati. The Ravens rank seventh for scoring offense and second for scoring defense. Quarterback Joe Flacco has a 90.6 QB rating with a 14-7 TD-INT ratio.
Rust on Defense
Pittsburgh is 5-3 SU, 4-4 ATS, and 5-3 over the total. The Steelers are coming off a 51-34 payout at Indianapolis for their best win in a long time. The Steelers rank third in the NFL for total offense but rank 21st for points allowed on defense. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a 105.6 QB rating with a 16-3 TD-INT ratio. Offensive line coach Mike Munchak has made a huge difference as the Steelers rushing attack is vastly improved which takes the heat off Big Ben.
Matchup and Pick
Baltimore has perked up as a betting value on the road as of late with four payouts in their last six away matchups. The Ravens have gone under the total in just two out of their last seven away games.
Pittsburgh has been a solid home betting value as they have covered the spread in six out of their last nine home games. The Steelers have gone over the total in six out of their last seven home games.
Baltimore has covered the spread in just one out of their last five games against Pittsburgh with five out of the last eight games between the Ravens and Steelers going over the total. Pittsburgh has covered the spread in five out of their last seven home games against the Ravens. Three out of the last four games at Pittsburgh between the Ravens and Steelers going over the total. We’ll call for the Steelers and over the total.
