The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens (sportsbook favorite to win Super Bowl 54) will finish the regular season with a date with each other, which would add another episode to their bitter rivalry. Will the Steelers avenge an earlier loss to Baltimore? Or will the Ravens end the season on a winning note?
There will be no quarterback quandary for the Steelers heading into Week 17 following the team’s announcement that Mason Rudolph has been placed on the injured reserve list with a shoulder injury, effectively ending his season. The Steelers will be giving the ball to Devlin Hodges under center in the rematch against the Ravens, who beat them at home in Week 5 via overtime, 26-23. Rudolph started that game but exited and didn’t return after absorbing a nasty hit, thus leaving the quarterbacking duties to Devlin Hodges, who went 7 for 9 for 68 passing yards with zero touchdowns and no interception. The Steelers’ offense is having a hard time moving the chains and putting points on the board of late, largely because of injuries. Running back James Conner played in Week 16’s 16-10 loss on the road to the New York Jets, but is now reportedly now questionable for Week 17 because of a thigh issue. If Conner is out, the Steelers will have Benny Snell, Kerrith Whyte, and Jaylen Samuels sharing touches out of the backfield. It’s looking like it will be up for the Steelers’ defense to carry the team against the Ravens. Pittsburgh sacked Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson five times and intercepted him three times in the first meeting this season.
The under is 9-1 in the Steelers’ last 10 games.
Betting on the Baltimore Ravens (13-2)
The Ravens’ last loss feels like it happened eons ago. The Ravens extended their winning streak to 11 games with a 31-15 road win over the Cleveland Browns over the weekend. Jackson flashed once again his MVP-caliber form in that game, as he threw for 238 passing yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions on 20-of-31 completions. Jackson has been on a tear, as he has 17 touchdowns against just an interception over the Ravens’ last five games. However, Jackson will not be playing in Week 17 along with the likes of Earl Thomas, Brandon Williams, and Marshal Yanda, as the Ravens want them rested for the playoffs, especially since Baltimore has already locked up a the top seed in the AFC. Instead, it will be Robert Griffin III, who’s going to take the starting gig under center for the Ravens. Running back Mark Ingram is also likely out for Week 17 after getting diagnosed with a strained calf.
The Ravens are 8-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 games.
