PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* Christmas CA$H >> SIZZLING 28-10-3 This Week!
(NFL) Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh,
Point Spread: -6.00 | -100.00 Pittsburgh (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -6.00 | -100.00 Pittsburgh (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up:The Steelers and Ravens have developed into one of the great NFL rivalries over the last decade and will meet in Pittsburgh's Heinz Field on Christmas Day (how fitting). Thirteen of the last 17 regular-season meetings between the teams been decided by four points or less, with seven of the last eight regular-season encounters between the teams at Heinz Field having been decided by three points. The Ravens won 21-14 in Baltimore back on Nov. 6 but they come in 8-6, while the Steelers, after five straight wins, enter this contest 9-5 and with a win, would clinch the AFC North title.
Baltimore: While the Steelers simply need a win to clinch their seventh AFC North title, the Ravens likely need to beat both Pittsburgh and the Cincinnati Bengals in the regular-season finale to capture their first division crown since 2012. QB Joe Flacco was 18 of 30 for 241 yards with a touchdown and an interception in Baltimore's Week 9 win over the Steelers plus WR Mike Wallace had a huge game against his former team with four catches for 124 yards and a TD. However, while Flacco already owns a career-best 374 completions this season, he's thrown for a modest 19 TDs and 13 INTs with an 84.8 QB rating. His running game offers little support, averaging 90.6 YPG (28th) on just 3.9 YPC. Baltimore has typically been able to count on its strong defense and here in 2016, that hasn't changed. Baltimore ranks 5th in yards allowed (312.6 YPG) and 7th in points allowed (18.8 per).
Pittsburgh:The Steelers lost four in a row (Weeks 6 through 10) and head coach Mike Tomlin's job was in jeopardy plus there was very serious talk about missing the playoffs. However, Pittsburgh has responded with five straight wins to reach 9-5 and now lead the AFC North. The Steelers' turnaround has been linked to the coaching staff's commitment to Le'Veon Bell and the running game taking pressure off QB Ben Roethlisberger. Bell set a franchise record with 236 rushing yards against the Bills in Week 14. Bell had topped 100 yards in four straight, averaging 155.0 YPG plus had caught 22 balls for 203 more yards. He was 'held' to 93 rushing yards in Pittsburgh's 24-20 comeback win at Cincy in Week 15 (Steelers trailed 20-9 at the half) and added 38 receiviing yards. Let's also note that Big Ben is still a noteworthy QB, checking in with 3,540 passing yards with 26 TDs, 11 INTs and a QB rating of 94.9. Pittsburgh's defense has also been a force during the five-game run, registering 18 sacks while allowing 12.5 PPG prior to last Sunday and then after allowing 20 points in the first half, shut out the Bengals in the second half (note: Bengals had just 222 yards of total offense for the game).
The pick: the Steelers are out for a measure of revenge in this as noted by offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert. "We lost the first game," he said. "This game is going to be ours, it's at our field. I'm excited, man. This is why we play the game of football." The Steelers have greatly improved since the last meeting with the Ravens and are riding a five-game winning streak, their longest since 2009. Le'Veon Bell leads the NFL with 158.8 yards from scrimmage per game and his 1,146 rushing yards are third-best in the league despite serving a three-game suspension to begin the season. Bell was limited to 32 yards rushing against Baltimore in Week 9 but that will change on Sunday. The Ravens were able to take advantage of a rusty Ben Roethlisberger after he had just returned from knee surgery when they defeated Pittsburgh in Week 9 but "Big Ben" is healthy now. The Steelers have covered 12 of their past 14 December games. Make Pittsburgh a 10* play.
Baltimore: While the Steelers simply need a win to clinch their seventh AFC North title, the Ravens likely need to beat both Pittsburgh and the Cincinnati Bengals in the regular-season finale to capture their first division crown since 2012. QB Joe Flacco was 18 of 30 for 241 yards with a touchdown and an interception in Baltimore's Week 9 win over the Steelers plus WR Mike Wallace had a huge game against his former team with four catches for 124 yards and a TD. However, while Flacco already owns a career-best 374 completions this season, he's thrown for a modest 19 TDs and 13 INTs with an 84.8 QB rating. His running game offers little support, averaging 90.6 YPG (28th) on just 3.9 YPC. Baltimore has typically been able to count on its strong defense and here in 2016, that hasn't changed. Baltimore ranks 5th in yards allowed (312.6 YPG) and 7th in points allowed (18.8 per).
Pittsburgh:The Steelers lost four in a row (Weeks 6 through 10) and head coach Mike Tomlin's job was in jeopardy plus there was very serious talk about missing the playoffs. However, Pittsburgh has responded with five straight wins to reach 9-5 and now lead the AFC North. The Steelers' turnaround has been linked to the coaching staff's commitment to Le'Veon Bell and the running game taking pressure off QB Ben Roethlisberger. Bell set a franchise record with 236 rushing yards against the Bills in Week 14. Bell had topped 100 yards in four straight, averaging 155.0 YPG plus had caught 22 balls for 203 more yards. He was 'held' to 93 rushing yards in Pittsburgh's 24-20 comeback win at Cincy in Week 15 (Steelers trailed 20-9 at the half) and added 38 receiviing yards. Let's also note that Big Ben is still a noteworthy QB, checking in with 3,540 passing yards with 26 TDs, 11 INTs and a QB rating of 94.9. Pittsburgh's defense has also been a force during the five-game run, registering 18 sacks while allowing 12.5 PPG prior to last Sunday and then after allowing 20 points in the first half, shut out the Bengals in the second half (note: Bengals had just 222 yards of total offense for the game).
The pick: the Steelers are out for a measure of revenge in this as noted by offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert. "We lost the first game," he said. "This game is going to be ours, it's at our field. I'm excited, man. This is why we play the game of football." The Steelers have greatly improved since the last meeting with the Ravens and are riding a five-game winning streak, their longest since 2009. Le'Veon Bell leads the NFL with 158.8 yards from scrimmage per game and his 1,146 rushing yards are third-best in the league despite serving a three-game suspension to begin the season. Bell was limited to 32 yards rushing against Baltimore in Week 9 but that will change on Sunday. The Ravens were able to take advantage of a rusty Ben Roethlisberger after he had just returned from knee surgery when they defeated Pittsburgh in Week 9 but "Big Ben" is healthy now. The Steelers have covered 12 of their past 14 December games. Make Pittsburgh a 10* play.
