While this is a meaningless game for the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ playoff hopes are still alive, and a win against their division rivals would improve their chances of returning to the postseason.
Although they would still need one of a few scenarios to happen as well — Bills losing, Jaguars losing or tying, or the Colts tying — this game is significantly more important for the Steelers. But does that mean you should lay the points with Pittsburgh? Let’s dive into the Steelers vs. Ravens predictions.
Steelers vs. Ravens Betting Lines
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- Spread
Steelers -3 - Moneyline
Steelers -180, Ravens +150 - Total
34.5
Steelers vs. Ravens Predictions and Expert Picks
Blewis:Â While the Ravens have nothing to play for, I’m still expecting them to be competitive in this one. With how dominant they have been in the preseason in recent years, it’s clear that John Harbaugh takes these meaningless games seriously, and I wouldn’t expect anything less against a division rival fighting to get into the postseason.
Since Mason Rudolph has become the starting QB, the Steelers have won two games in a row and have scored a combined 64 points in those two games. They’re also coming off an upset win in Seattle, in which they had their best offensive performance of the season.
But it’s not crazy to say, in my opinion, that this Ravens defense, even with most of their starters resting, could be a more difficult matchup than their two previous opponents in the Bengals and Seahawks — the 24th and 25th best defenses by DVOA.
Additionally, in these Week 18 matchups, the more motivated side is always going to be overvalued on the point spread because the public is always going to hammer them. I’m not saying the Ravens are going to win necessarily, but there is value in taking them and the points.
Pick: Ravens +3.5 (-118 at FanDuel)
Katz: When FanDuel opened their lines for Tyler Huntley’s passing yards, it was 10 yards higher than every other book. I couldn’t help but jump on that.
In four starts last season, Huntley’s highest passing yardage total was 138. He’s made three career starts against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In those games, he’s thrown for 141, 88, and 130 yards.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
The Baltimore Ravens are playing a glorified exhibition game. Huntley will be throwing to Nelson Agholor and Charlie Kolar instead of Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr., and Isaiah Likely.
Plus, the Steelers are more vulnerable on the ground than through the air. Expect a run-heavy game plan, with not much needed from Huntley.
Pick: Tyler Huntley Under 171.5 Passing Yards (-114 at FanDuel)
Rolfe: I am going to go against the thought process of Mr. Blewis up above and buy into the nothing-to-play-for narrative.
Sure, a lot of the players on the field for the Ravens are fighting for something in terms of more playing time or impressing ahead of the offseason, but a second-string Ravens is not as good as a first-string Steelers.
Back in Week 5, the Steelers beat the Ravens when they had a full complement available, and I just struggle to see how a Lamar Jackson-less Ravens scores enough points here to cover the spread. I back Pittsburgh to get to 20 points with Mason Rudolph at the helm, but equally, it terrifies me that I am buying into the Rudolph factor after being a doubter for the past two weeks.
My preference here is to take the points at -3 and take the -120 odds rather than getting that number around even by going for -3. I expect the Ravens to be competitive early before falling off into the second half, as they potentially remove more starting options as the game wears on. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh will be fighting hard to the bitter end.
Pick:Â Steelers -3 (-120 at ESPN BET)
Bearman:Â Betting on Week 18 in the NFL is challenging because not every team has anything to play for, and this matchup is a prime example. The Ravens, with the one-seed clinched, don’t want to put any of their star players at risk for injury, so they are resting their key players. However, they would also like to put an end to the Steelers’ season, who has everything to play for.
Despite their last two performances, this is still a poor Steelers offense, and considering the Ravens won’t be playing anyone, I’ll take the under.
Pick: Under 34.5 (-105 at ESPN BET)
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