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Steelers vs. Ravens Updated Odds and Prediction: What Bettors Need to Know

By Matt De Saro

The Ravens and Steelers both have slim hopes of making the playoffs but have to win to keep in the race.
The Ravens and Steelers both have slim hopes of making the playoffs but have to win to keep in the race. / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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The Baltimore Ravens really screwed the pooch last week in their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Ravens' running game was on point and they picked off Matthew Stafford three times in consecutive drives. But, Baltimore put up a doughnut in the red zone off those interceptions and had to settle for two field goals in three tries. 

This week they get a chance at redemption after losing five games in a row; nearly eliminating themselves from the playoffs. In an interesting twist, the last time these two teams played was the first game of the Ravens’ losing streak. The Steelers won 20-19 after Baltimore tried to win on a two-point conversion. It was not the last game they would lose this way. 

Meanwhile, despite plenty of poor outings this season, the Steelers have looked decent in recent games. They are coming off a 26-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns with contributions from both sides of the ball. 

Here are the latest odds for this important Week 18 showdown, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Steelers vs. Ravens Updated Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

  • Steelers: +5 (-110) / Opened +4
  • Ravens: -5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Steelers: +190
  • Ravens: -230

Total:

  • 41.5 (Over -110/Under -110) / Opened 42

Steelers vs. Ravens Betting Trends

  • The Steelers are 7-3 straight up (SU) in their last 10 games. 
  • The Steelers are 1-6 SU in their last seven games on the road. 
  • The UNDER is 5-2 in the Steelers’ last seven games on the road against the Ravens. 
  • The Steelers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games against the AFC. 
  • The UNDER is 4-1 in the Steelers’ last five games against the AFC North. 
  • The Ravens are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games. 
  • The Ravens are 0-5 SU in their last five games. 
  • The Ravens are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 home games.  

Steelers vs. Ravens Prediction and Pick

While I don’t expect the Steelers to score 26 points again this weekend, I do like their chances as underdogs here.

Najee Harris took over the game last week, but this team was on his shoulders as he carried them to victory. Big Ben didn’t make many mistakes but was also pretty ineffective with just 123 yards passing on 46 attempts. While Harris is good enough to have a repeat performance from last week, he will need Big Ben to have a better game. Otherwise, the Ravens will just stack the box and let Roethlisberger try and beat them through the air.

While this sounds risky, the Steelers got some bad news today in terms of the wide receiver depth. Big Ben’s favorite target and leading pass catcher, Diontae Johnson, has landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Johnson, along with center Kendrick Green, is unlikely to be able to clear protocols in time for this game. This is a massive blow to the Steelers' chances to win or cover this season's finale. Johnson leads the team with 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns off of 100 catches. Next on the depth chart is Chase Claypool who has 823 yards on 54 receptions with just one touchdown. 

The loss of Johnson and Green has me much less confident in them to cover as underdogs. I was even hovering over the button to bet them outright in this spot to upset Baltimore. But, now that their already iffy offense has lost their best weapon, I am less optimistic in the Steelers.

Therefore, for my updated play, I am shifting gears to the UNDER. The line barely shifted since opening and, clearly the loss of Johnson is significant to the success of this offense.

I will be making my play on this game on the total and hope that Claypool doesn’t step up and have a career game. It doesn't hurt that Lamar Jackson, Marquise Brown, and Devonta Freeman didn't practice Thursday for the Ravens and remain questionable for Week 18.

Pick: Steelers-Ravens UNDER 41.5 (-110)

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