Ravens vs. Steelers: NFL Week 13 betting odds, preview, and pick

Bitter AFC North rivals will renew acquaintances at Heinz Field on Sunday afternoon as the Baltimore Ravens visit the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Ravens have won two in a row – taking over as top seed in the AFC in the process – yet combined to score just 32 points in those tilts. But the Steelers have allowed 41 points in each of their last two losses following an embarrassing tie against the Detroit Lions.

Let’s see which trends continue and which come to a halt as we give out our wagering preview for this contest.

Baltimore Ravens (8-3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5-1), 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

When the Ravens have the ball

Steelers fans have to be concerned as Lamar Jackson and the rest of the Ravens’ potent rushing attack visits Pittsburgh this week. All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt is likely to be out after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and the Steelers are already fifth-worst in football in stopping the run (133.1 rushing yards allowed per game). They’re also tied for last in yards allowed per rush (4.8).

Jackson has gone for 5.7 yards per carry this season, and 70.7 yards per game. In his last two meetings with the Steelers, Jackson has rushed for 135 yards on 30 attempts.

When Jackson needs to go through the air to top targets Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews, he’ll take on a Steelers defense that’s surrendered the eighth-worst opponent passing rating in the NFL (97.9).

When the Steelers have the ball

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and halfback Najee Harris are trending the wrong way ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Baltimore.

“Big Ben” was a modest 24-for-41 (58.5%) for 261 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in a 41-10 slaughter last week, tossing two interceptions. He’ll take on a Ravens pass defense that’s improved since their bye week, allowing an average of 240 yards through the air over their last four tilts.

Harris rushed for just 23 yards on eight carries against Cincinnati, and that came on the heels of a disappointing game against the Los Angeles Chargers in which the rookie from Alabama toted the rock 12 times for a mere 39 yards. Baltimore’s rush defense has been quite stingy this year, allowing just 84.2 yards per game, second only to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in that department.

Ravens vs. Steelers injury report

Ravens and Steelers betting trends

• The Ravens are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 against AFC North opponents
• The Ravens are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games in December
• The Steelers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven home games
• The Under is 4-0 in the Ravens’ last four road games
• The Under is 8-3 in the Steelers’ last 11 games in December

The verdict

Jackson and company should control this game on the ground, and stymie the Steelers’ offense when they need to. Lay the points with the Ravens, and take the Under.

Score prediction: Ravens 23, Steelers 17

NFL pick: Ravens -3.5, Under 44.5

Ravens vs. Steelers pick powered by The Quant Edge

Our predictive engine is calling for the Ravens to prevail, and the game to go Over the projected total.