Steelers Heavy Underdogs Against Ravens In Week 14

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are both coming off Week 13 losses, but in their first matchup of the season, oddsmakers expect a big Baltimore win. Per VSiN, the Ravens are consensus 6.5-point favorites over the Steelers for next week’s matchup at M&T Bank Stadium.

Both the Steelers and the Ravens are 6-6, but Baltimore holds the division lead in the AFC North due to tiebreakers. Next week’s matchup is going to be pivotal for both teams’ chances of winning the division, but Vegas isn’t giving the Steelers much of a chance.

Baltimore had won five games in a row prior to its Week 13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, but that game came on Thanksgiving, giving Baltimore a mini bye to prepare for the Steelers. The Steelers allowed 241 rushing yards to the Buffalo Bills in a dreadful 26-7 loss.

While it was only Pittsburgh’s second loss in a row, it was another game where the offense struggled. The Steelers haven’t really looked good offensively since their Week 7 loss to the Bengals, and while it’s been passable in their wins since, it’s becoming more of a problem with each week.

Additionally, Pittsburgh’s defense hasn’t been up to its usual standard, and with its struggles against the run, it’s understandable that Vegas expects a Ravens team led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry to roll over the Steelers.

The Steelers going on the road to play in front of what’s always a hostile crowd at M&T Bank Stadium doesn’t help their chances either. Nor does the fact that QB Aaron Rodgers is dealing with multiple broken bones in his left wrist.

It’s rare for the Steelers and Ravens’ first meeting to come so late in the season, and this one will have major implications on both teams’ playoff hopes and standing in the AFC North. If the Steelers lose, they’ll fall below .500 for the first time this season and would have to win out to finish 10-7, Being down a game to the Ravens while losing three straight is a scenario no Steelers fan wants to see.

While Jackson and Henry tormented the Steelers in their Wild Card playoff win last year, Jackson has been banged up throughout the year while Henry hasn’t found the same success on the ground as last year. The Ravens can still be dangerous offensively, but it’s not unfathomable that the Steelers can be the better team and slow them down.

But the early indications from Vegas are that this one could be ugly. An opening spread of 6.5 points is a lot, and it shows just how little faith there is in the Steelers right now.