Predicting the Final Score of Ravens vs. Steelers
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a big matchup in the AFC North this weekend as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens. Both teams are 5-3 and have a shot at first place in the AFC North if the Cincinnati Bengals lose. The teams are coming off very different games this past Sunday. The Ravens lost a hard-fought game to the Bengals 27-24. Meanwhile, the Steelers lit up the Indianapolis Colts for 51 points, as Ben Roethlisberger got his second career 500-yard passing game to go along with six touchdowns.
Ravens-Steelers is always an intense game, with the Steelers holding a slight edge in the all-time series 20-17. Seven of the past nine regular season meetings between these two teams have been decided by three points or less. For years, these games meant hard-nosed running, lots of defense and not a lot of points. Since 2010, the Steelers are averaging 14.6 points a game against Baltimore. In that same time span, the Ravens are averaging 20 points a game when facing the Steelers.
The first matchup of the season in Week 2 was a rare lopsided affair with the Ravens stomping the Steelers 26-6. Both teams struggled on offense, each barely getting over 300 yards of total offense. However, Baltimore did rush for 159 yards as a team, making the biggest difference in the game. Joe Flacco also threw two touchdowns and didn’t turn the ball over.
The Steelers’ defense isn’t what it used to be, giving up 24.5 points a game with just 11 turnovers and 12 sacks. The Ravens have been more stout in 2014, giving up just 16.3 points a game with 12 turnovers and 17 sacks. Defensive advantage goes to Baltimore.
But don’t expect a typical Ravens-Steelers low scoring game this time around; there is just too much star-power on each offense. Flacco, Steve Smith and Torrey Smith should stretch the weak Steelers’ secondary. For the Steelers, if Roethlisberger gets the protection he got last week, expect another big day for him, Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Le’Veon Bell.
I have a feeling this will be a close, higher-scoring game, with the biggest difference-maker in the game being Bell.
Final Prediction: Steelers 34, Ravens 27
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