The Pittsburgh Steelers are battered and bruised after their matchup with the Bengals last Monday night. Cincinnati didn’t rebound well, getting blown out 33-7 by the Bears at home earlier today. There’s no rest for the wicked however as the Steelers welcome in another division foe as Baltimore comes to town in the NFL week 14 Sunday night total play.
Oddsmakers have made Pittsburgh a -5.5 favorite at home (down from a -7 open) with the total set at 43. The Ravens offense had one of their best games of the season last week – do they continue? Is the Pittsburgh defense ready to shut down Baltimore as they did in a 26-9 win earlier in the year? There’s a reason they call it football night in America, folks.
How did the NFL give the Steelers four primetime games in a row??
— Adam McShane (@McFlyHigh1200) December 11, 2017
Does the ’43’ Total Lean Towards an ‘Over’ Play?
Whenever the Steelers take the field you have to at least consider the total play to lean towards the ‘over.’ Surprisingly enough however Pittsburgh is just 4-8 on O/U this season. The potential is there at least as the Steelers rank 7th in the NFL in total yards, 5th in the pass, and 12th in points scored. The Steelers have put up 23+ points in three straight games and have averaged 33.3 ppg their last three home contests.
Baltimore’s offense is the big ‘X’ factor for the NFL week 14 Sunday night total play, especially on the road. The Ravens are coming off their best offensive outing of the season in a 44-20 win against Detroit. Joe Flacco threw for 269 yards and 2TD in that contest, which is a bright spot for Baltimore’s #30 ranked passing offense. The Ravens may have found a running game too, as Alex Collins has four TD in the last three games – something else that bodes well for the Ravens #13 offense in rushing yards and points scored.
Do Division Battles Favor an ‘Under’ Bet?
The last time these two foes hooked up was on the first of October when Pittsburgh went into Baltimore and captured a 26-9 win. The Steelers churned out 173 yards rushing in that contest, something they’d like to do again Sunday to rest Ben Roethlisberger who was roughed up a bit last Monday. Neither team threw for more than 210 yards in that first meeting and the NFL week 14 Sunday night total play. could see the same with game time temps expected to be 28 degrees.
The Ravens defense ranks 7th in the NFL in total yards and is third against the pass. Pittsburgh holds the leagues’ #2 defense in total yards which includes ranking 2nd against the pass, 8th versus the rush, and 4th in points allowed. Baltimore has pitched two shutouts in their last five games and only one opponent has scored more than 20 points over that span (Tennessee 23). Overall the Ravens have the #2 defense in points given up.
Eight of the past 13 #Ravens–#Steelers games, including three of the past five, have been decided by four points or less. https://t.co/BcKRD7NVho
— PressBox (@PressBoxOnline) December 11, 2017
NFL Week 14 Sunday Night Total Play – Betting
There’s the potential for points tonight, but as it stands the ‘under’ is the best play. ’43’ is a lot of scoring, especially in a cold game where the passing offenses may be limited. The ‘under’ is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings including 7-3 for the Steelers the last 10 on grass. The running game, defense, and a churning clock are on the agenda for this Sunday night football bout.
Pick: Baltimore Ravens / Pittsburgh Steelers *Under 43
