The Pittsburgh Steelers are simply running away with the top spot in the AFC North, and that’s making life harder for the Baltimore Ravens, who might likely have to go through the wild card route if they are to make the playoffs. But can the Ravens be the first team to beat Pittsburgh? Or will the Steelers get to 11-0?
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are suddenly on a slump. They are 1-3 in their last four games and 0-2 in their last two after losing to the Tennessee Titans at home in Week 12, 30-24, via overtime. Jackson had another mediocre passing performance, as he finished with just 186 passing yards with a touchdown and interception on 17-of-29 completions, though he still managed to rush for 51 yards on 13 carries. One player who had a big day for Baltimore in Week 12 was tight end Mark Andrews, who had 96 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches. Jackson knows that he has to bring his best game in the rematch with the Steelers, and Andrews could be the answer for the Ravens in breaking down Pittsburgh’s defense. Andrews only had 32 receiving yards on three catches in the 28-24 loss to Pittsburgh at home back in Week 8. Jackson needs to sling the ball more than he runs with it against the Steelers. For one, the Ravens already have JK Dobbins, who had 113 rushing yards on 14 carries in the loss to the Steelers. Also, it will reduce his chances of turning the ball over, as he lost two fumbles in the Steelers game.
The Ravens are 7-2-1 against the spread in their last 10 road games.
The Steelers are still undefeated. In their outing, the Steelers mauled the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars in a 27-3 road game last Sunday. Ben Roethlisberger passed for 267 yards and two touchdowns with an interception on 32-of-46 completions. Diontae Johnson put up a stellar performance, as he finished with 111 receiving yards on 12 catches and 16 receptions. Despite Johnson’s huge target share, the Ravens can’t just plan around bottling him up because the Steelers have plenty of other weapons who can take over downfield in the passing attack. In the win over Baltimore in Week 8, it was JuJu Smith-Schuster who led the team with 67 receiving yards on seven catches and eight targets. Johnson only had a catch on three targets for six yards in that game. But it’s really Pittsburgh’s defense that’s going to be the problem for Baltimore, which had four turnovers in the first meeting — all coming from Lamar Jackson. To stop the Ravens, one has to contain Jackson, and the Steelers have already shown they can do just that. That will be an easier task for Pittsburgh with Jackson’s protection unit losing Nick Boyle and Ronnie Stanley
The Steelers are 4-0 against the spread in their last four home games.
