Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) vs. Baltimore Ravens (13-3)
As the NFL regular season draws to a close, the Week 18 matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens is poised to be a highlight. Set for Saturday at the M&T Bank Stadium, this game not only pits two formidable AFC North rivals against each other but also holds significant playoff implications. With the Steelers looking to secure a wild card spot and the Ravens aiming to maintain their impressive record, Super Bowl free picks today are buzzing with excitement and anticipation for what is expected to be a closely fought battle.
The Steelers’ offense has been somewhat inconsistent this season, yet both their rushing and receiving corps have shown glimpses of brilliance. Running Back Najee Harris has been their go-to option on the ground game with 923 rushing yards and seven touchdowns through 16 games; his ability to break tackles and gain extra yards has been instrumental for Pittsburgh in close games. Receiving end George Pickens has emerged as a reliable target claiming 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns; these plays often turned the tide, giving Pittsburgh momentum when needed most.
Conversely, Baltimore has produced equally impressive rushing and receiving units this season. Gus Edwards has led their rushing attack with 762 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns this season – his physical running style and ability to find gaps in defense has been instrumental to Baltimore’s offensive strategy. Odell Beckham Jr has proven his worth despite only playing 14 games; with 35 receptions totaling 565 yards and three touchdowns over 14 games alone providing quarterback Tyler Huntley a reliable target.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens Game Info
| When | Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 4:30 PM ET |
| Where | M&T Bank Stadium |
| TV | ABC |
| Stream | NFL Game Pass |
Mitch Trubisky QB vs. Tyler Huntley QB
Mitch Trubisky has completed 67 of 107 passes (62.6%) for 632 yards, averaging a modest 5.9 yards per attempt. He’s thrown for 4 touchdowns against 5 picks while taking 7 sacks. Trubisky has added 126 rushing yards but struggled with consistency overall. Still, he possesses enough arm strength and mobility to challenge Baltimore’s fierce pass defense. The Ravens secondary allows just 178 passing yards per game (2nd-best) but injuries raise questions. Trubisky must avoid drive-killing mistakes for the Steelers to pull the road upset.
Tyler Huntley has attempted just 9 total passes in 4 games this season. But he’s completed 6 of those attempts (66.7%) for 57 yards and 2 scores without a pick for a sparkling 123.6 quarterback rating. Huntley averaged 6.3 yards per throw while taking no sacks. He also added over 200 rushing yards in limited duty. Similar to Lamar Jackson’s style, Huntley beats defenses with his scrambling ability outside the pocket. So while he lacks significant experience, his accuracy throwing and explosiveness running make him a dangerous fill-in starter. Pittsburgh must contain his rushing threat to have a chance Saturday.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers -205, Total Odds: 35.5
The betting odds lean towards the Steelers as favorites, but the narrow point spread indicates a tightly contested matchup. The total odds set at 35.5 suggest a game dominated by defense, with both teams expected to rely heavily on their ground game and time-of-possession strategies.
Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends
Pittsburgh covers well lately at 13-7 ATS across 20 games. Their offense also trends over the total in 4 of last 5. Yet when traveling, 6 of their last 8 went under. Pittsburgh performed well against Baltimore recently, going 4-1 ATS and 6-1 straight up over 7 matchups.
Baltimore Ravens Betting Trends
Baltimore enters hot having covered 5 of last 6 games. Their high-flying offense also topped the total in 5 of previous 7. At home versus Pittsburgh, however, 6 of last 6 matchups finished under the projected score. Additionally, the Ravens struggle to cover at just 1-5 ATS across their last 6 home contests against the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens 1/6/24 Betting Picks
Considering the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, this game is likely to be a close contest with defense playing a key role. The Steelers, with their slightly better performance against the spread and recent success against the Ravens, might have a slight edge. However, Baltimore’s strong home record and efficient scoring ability cannot be underestimated.
In terms of betting, Pittsburgh seems to be the safer pick given their ATS record and past performances against Baltimore. The over/under is a tricky bet, but with both defenses playing well, the under might be the more prudent choice. Prop bets on individual player performances, especially on rushers like Harris and Edwards, could also be worth considering. For those looking at the best online casino options, this game provides an exciting opportunity with various betting angles to explore.
