Week 12 NFL Lines: Steelers vs. Ravens
Sunday Night Betting –Injuries Catching Up With Super Bowl Champs
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens renew their rivalry this weekend and while we’ve seen some very physical, intense contests between the two teams in recent years, this week’s contest has the potential to be one-sided.
Time: 8:20 ET
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
Steelers vs. Ravens Sunday Football Lines
MoneyLine: Steelers +300 / Ravens -170
Spread: Ravens -7.5
Over/Under: 34
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The Steelers are battered and have a couple of injuries that may cost them an opportunity to win this game. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is questionable for this contest and even though he might be healthy enough to play, it’s unclear whether he will after suffering a concussion last week.
The bigger concern may be the lack of safety Troy Polamalu in the lineup as the Steelers have had a tendency to blow leads without their Pro Bowl safety. Both teams need the win to stick around in the AFC playoff race but the Ravens have the edge as they are healthier.
Steelers offense versus Ravens defense
Sure, the Ravens defense has been soft this year and will probably be even more open to giving up yards with linebacker Terrell Suggs out of the lineup but the Steelers could be very shorthanded if Roethlisberger sits out.
Roethlisberger has passed all the necessary medical tests and will probably play, but there is speculation that he may sit out considering how serious the league has been treating concussions recently.
Compounding their problems is the fact that backup quarterback, Charlie Batch, is also out as he suffered a wrist injury in his short time in the game against Kansas City.
Pittsburgh will have to lean heavily on their running game but if Roethlisberger isn’t 100% or if he can’t play, the Ravens will have an easy time against a one-dimensional offense.
Ravens offense versus Steelers defense
If the Kansas City Chiefs can score 27 points against the Steelers defense, what are the Ravens capable of?
The Ravens offense has been sedated in recent weeks, averaging just 12.6 points per game in their last three contest, which means the Ravens will have to come up with a much better effort this week.
Look for the Ravens to show a better commitment to the running game with Ray Rice and Willis McGahee and then fire away with Joe Flacco to present the balance. If the Steelers offense is limited, it should mean more opportunities for the Ravens offense.
Outlook & Pick
The Steelers are coming off a tough loss and while Roethlisberger might play, he will likely be limited. Reports of him sitting out are likely just mind games but the fact that he isn’t 100% likely remains.
The Ravens aren’t the Super Bowl contender they were last year but they are still more than capable of taking advantage of a beaten up team at home. Look for the Ravens to get a big win and vault themselves back in the playoffs race in the AFC.
Pick: Ravens
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Dave Golokhov has written for BETUS Sportsbook, Sportsfanmagazine.com, FOX, Askmen.com, Sports-central.org, and the FOXSports.com Funhouse.
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Without Roethlisberger in the lineup it is going to be hard for the Steelers to win this one. Their back up Dennis Dixon has only thrown one pass in his two NFL seasons.