by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Jan 05, 2022
Game time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Where to watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Ravens -5; O/U 42.5; Ravens -210, Steelers +175
BetMGM: Ravens -5.5; O/U 42; Ravens -213, Steelers +175
Caesars: Ravens -3.5; O/U 41.5; Ravens -189, Steelers +160
Season record
Steelers: 8-7-1 (2nd place, AFC North)
Ravens: 8-8 (3rd place, AFC North)
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Steelers - Ravens preview and analysis
Last week
Steelers: won 26-14 vs. Browns on Monday
Ravens: lost 20-19 at Rams
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens still have playoff aspirations. It'll take a lot, but here's how it works.
The Steelers need a win, an Indianapolis Colts loss, and for the Raiders-Chargers game to not end in a tie.
The Ravens, meanwhile, need a win, a Chargers loss, a Colts loss, and a Miami Dolphins loss.
Easy enough, right? But even if playoff hopes are slim, the Ravens and Steelers will surely provide some intrigue to close the season when they meet Sunday in Baltimore.
The Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive on Monday against the Cleveland Browns in what might be Ben Roethlisberger's final game in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger threw the ball 46 times for just 123 yards and a touchdown in a 26-14 win over the Cleveland Browns.
Trust me, that game screams more to the ineptitude of the Browns than what Pittsburgh did offensively. But it also should highlight what the Steelers did on defense; they picked off Baker Mayfield twice and held him to 185 yards. More importantly, T.J. Watt had four sacks to give him 21.5 on the season and within striking distance of breaking Michael Strahan's single-season record.
So there's a lot riding on this one. But the fact that the Ravens are even in this position is shocking. The Ravens have lost five in a row primarily because Lamar Jackson has not been an option. Between COVID and an ankle injury, the Ravens have had to rely on Tyler Huntley and Josh Johnson to pick up the slack. Unfortunately, that hasn't resulted in wins.
Huntley threw for 197 yards and an interception last week against the Los Angeles Rams in a 20-19 loss at Baltimore. Despite the valiant effort, the fact of the matter is the Ravens have lost four of their last five by one score and three of them by one point. The Ravens have been in the right position to make something happen, but have fallen short a tremendous deal.
Even with Matthew Stafford throwing two interceptions, the Ravens could not find a way to turn that into points. Their season is all but over, but miracles have happened before.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens still have playoff aspirations. It'll take a lot, but here's how it works.
The Steelers need a win, an Indianapolis Colts loss, and for the Raiders-Chargers game to not end in a tie.
The Ravens, meanwhile, need a win, a Chargers loss, a Colts loss, and a Miami Dolphins loss.
Easy enough, right? But even if playoff hopes are slim, the Ravens and Steelers will surely provide some intrigue to close the season when they meet Sunday in Baltimore.
The Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive on Monday against the Cleveland Browns in what might be Ben Roethlisberger's final game in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger threw the ball 46 times for just 123 yards and a touchdown in a 26-14 win over the Cleveland Browns.
Trust me, that game screams more to the ineptitude of the Browns than what Pittsburgh did offensively. But it also should highlight what the Steelers did on defense; they picked off Baker Mayfield twice and held him to 185 yards. More importantly, T.J. Watt had four sacks to give him 21.5 on the season and within striking distance of breaking Michael Strahan's single-season record.
So there's a lot riding on this one. But the fact that the Ravens are even in this position is shocking. The Ravens have lost five in a row primarily because Lamar Jackson has not been an option. Between COVID and an ankle injury, the Ravens have had to rely on Tyler Huntley and Josh Johnson to pick up the slack. Unfortunately, that hasn't resulted in wins.
Huntley threw for 197 yards and an interception last week against the Los Angeles Rams in a 20-19 loss at Baltimore. Despite the valiant effort, the fact of the matter is the Ravens have lost four of their last five by one score and three of them by one point. The Ravens have been in the right position to make something happen, but have fallen short a tremendous deal.
Even with Matthew Stafford throwing two interceptions, the Ravens could not find a way to turn that into points. Their season is all but over, but miracles have happened before.
Prediction
I think we just need to come to grips that Jackson will be back, and a hobbled, one-legged Jackson is going to provide some challenges for Pittsburgh. But that defense will also play its best in what could be Roethlisberger's final game. Steelers by 7
Betting trends
The Steelers are 12-7 ATS over the past three seasons as an underdog.
The Steelers are 0-6 ATS off a win against the spread this season.
The Ravens are 19-17 ATS in the last three seasons as a favorite.
Statistical leaders
Steelers:
Passing: Ben Roethlisberger -- 3,496 yards, 21 TD, 9 INT
Rushing: Najee Harris -- 1,172 yards, 7 TD
Receiving: Diontae Johnson -- 1,110 yards, 8 TD
Defense: T.J. Watt -- 21.5 sacks
Ravens:
Passing: Lamar Jackson -- 2,882 yards, 16 TD, 13 INT
Rushing: Lamar Jackson -- 767 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Mark Andrews -- 1,276 yards, 9 TD
Defense: Patrick Queen -- 93 tackles
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
