This year, the AFC North is competitive, and here’s a game that will mean a lot when it comes to the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Steelers will go up against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at 1:00 P.M. Eastern.
Pittsburgh is currently leading the division with a record of 6-0. Their schedule didn’t feature many tough teams until last week when they faced the Tennessee Titans. It ended up being a close game, but the Steelers hung on for the win when the Titans missed a potential game-tying field goal late in the fourth quarter.
Baltimore has been dominant in the regular season for the past several seasons. They are 5-1 this year, with their only loss coming against the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs.
Sunday’s game will be the first matchup between Ben Roethlisberger and Lamar Jackson. The past couple of seasons, either Roethlisberger was injured, or Jackson was yet to be the Ravens’ starting quarterback.
Can the Steelers Stay Undefeated?
It will be a big task for the Steelers to stay undefeated this week, but Roethlisberger seems to be in great form. He has thrown 13 touchdowns this season while only tossing four interceptions.
His top target this season for yards has been the rookie, Chase Claypool. He has 18 receptions for 333 yards and four touchdowns. Juju Smith-Schuster has still been targeted the most, having 32 receptions for 270 yards and three touchdowns.
The Steelers need this one to keep a cushion in the AFC North.
Can Jackson be Electric Against the Steelers Defense?
Like most expected, Jackson is leading the Ravens in passing yards and rushing yards. He has thrown for 1,135 yards and rushed for 346 yards. But he won’t be going against an easy defense in this one.
Marquise Brown has been his go-to target. He has 26 receptions for 376 yards and one touchdown.
If the Ravens lose this game, it could give the Cleveland Browns a chance to pass Baltimore up for second in the division. Jackson will need to perform well in a game with massive playoff implications.
Jackson hasn’t been the offensive force he was last season. Part of the difference is due to the lack of receivers Baltimore has. To add a receiving weapon, the Ravens picked up Dez Bryant, a big-play threat who hasn’t played in an NFL game for several years, and turns 32 next Wednesday.
Prediction
The Ravens are 4.5-point favorites against the Steelers. The over/under is set at 46.5 points.
These two defenses allow fewer than 20 points a game, so this one will come down to which offense can break through. For my money, I’m going with the veteran to keep it close.
I expect both of these offenses to have success. Even though these defenses are two of the best in the league, Roethlisberger and Jackson will put up some points. Pittsburgh’s offense is scoring the sixth-most points per game in the league this year; Baltimore is scoring the eighth-most.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Ravens win, but it will be a close one. I’m going to take the Steelers +4.5. I’m also going to take the over.