Ravens-Steelers Predictions Roundup
The Ravens are the favorite to beat the Steelers in Week 13, but one site is predicting an upset.
Here's the roundup.
Analysis: "The Steelers swept the Ravens last season but this is a new year. Pittsburgh's offense has struggled and the defense will possibly have to play without its best player in T.J. Watt. The Ravens are finding ways to win despite the injuries and turnovers."
The Pick: Ravens 24, Steelers 13
Analysis: "At 5-5-1, the Steelers season basically hangs in the balance this week. If they lose, they're definitely not winning the AFC North and they're likely not making the playoffs. I do not like to pick against desperate teams, especially when they're playing at home against a division rival. The Steelers are one of only two teams in the NFL that Lamar Jackson doesn't have a winning record against -- he's 1-1 -- and I don't think that's going to change after this week."
The Pick: Steelers 19, Ravens 16
Analysis: "The Steelers are suddenly in desperation mode against the Ravens, who can take command of the AFC North with a convincing road victory. Baltimore can rely on the running game against a shaky Pittsburgh run defense, but the Ravens must protect the football better. Pittsburgh could steal an upset here, but we like Lamar Jackson to shake off the turnovers in a close one."
The Pick: Ravens 27, Steelers 26
Analysis: "After throwing four interceptions last week and having missed his Week 11 start with an illness, Lamar Jackson remarked that he was “getting back in the lab.” That should concern the Steelers (5-5-1), whose defense remains exploitable in the continued absence of T.J. Watt (Covd-19). Pittsburgh’s offense has been unbalanced in the last two weeks, rushing for just 55 yards and 52 yards, and asking Ben Roethlisberger, their 39-year-old quarterback, to make up the slack."
The Pick: Ravens minus-4.5
Analysis: "We’re following the line movement and jumping on the Ravens at -4.5. We don’t trust the Steelers rush defense or their anemic offense that ranks in the Bottom 10 in explosive runs and passes. Baltimore hasn’t looked like a powerhouse of late, but Jackson’s illness was a factor and they face a Pittsburgh team that has lost 41-10 to Cincinnati, 41-37 at the Chargers, and tied the still-winless Lions 16-16 over its last three games."
The Pick: Ravens minus-4.5
Analysis: "Of the Ravens’ AFC-best eight victories, six have been by six points or fewer. And they’ve scored just 42 points in their past three games. What’s the point? The Ravens aren’t exactly running through the AFC like their record would suggest. Conversely, the Steelers’ record is well earned.
The Pick: Ravens 15, Steelers 13
Jonas Shaffer: Ravens 27, Steelers 20
Tim Schwartz: Ravens 24, Steelers 14
Mike Preston: Ravens 24, Steelers 17
Childs Walker: Ravens 30, Steelers 20
Ryan McFadden: Ravens 24, Steelers 14
C.J. Doon: Steelers 21, Ravens 20
Analysis: "The Steelers are definitely still in the running at this point, especially with the extra Wild Card spot in play. However, unless their offensive line play improves rapidly, Pittsburgh could be headed for a disappointing end to their 2021 campaign."
The Pick: Ravens 28, Steelers 21
Analysis: "Ben Roethlisberger’s performance against the Bengals was an absolute disaster. However, it does not fit in with what we had seen from Pittsburgh’s longtime QB in recent weeks. The Ravens’ offense hardly looks convincing either. This has the feeling of a defense-dominated, low-scoring game. Baltimore is rightly favored, but after Lamar Jackson’s 4-interception game on Sunday Night Football, it is hard to trust him in this matchup. I simply cannot rely on either of these offenses right now."
The Pick: Ravens 19, Steelers 16
Analysis: "Pittsburgh’s crowd witnessed a tie to Detroit last game at Heinz Field, so this loss shouldn’t be as appalling."
The Pick: Ravens 27, Steelers 14