Baltimore is 8-4 and in a tie atop the AFC North, yet are still +1.5 underdogs on the road in the Ravens at Steelers betting matchup for Week 14. Granted the Ravens have lost four in a row to Pittsburgh, but perhaps most importantly are likely without QB Lamar Jackson (knee) so maybe Steelers -1.5 is the accurate line.
54% of the public is backing the Steelers here, and Pittsburgh has turned things around a bit with wins in three of their last four. Baltimore has won five of six – but with Jackson, so there are a lot of wild cards in this matchup.
Baltimore Turns to Huntley
Like Jackson, Baltimore’s starter on Sunday Tyler Huntley can hurt you throwing the ball but also with his mobility. Huntley started four games a year ago, including a week 17 loss to the Steelers (16-13). Huntley was 16/31 for 141 yards while throwing 0 TDs to 2 INTs, while also adding 72 rush yards.
Huntley replaced Jackson last week to go 27/32 while also scoring the game-winning TD on a 2-yard run with 0:28 left in a 10-9 win over the Broncos. That was an impressive showing considering Huntley had only taken one snap this season, Denver has the #3 total yardage defense in the NFL, and the Ravens QB was playing with the flu.
Baltimore gave up just 272 yards to Denver last week, but the Broncos also average an NFL worst 13.8 ppg. That’s still three times in the last four games that an opponent has scored 13 points or less against the Ravens, but in Baltimore’s last road game they fell 28-27 to Jacksonville as Trevor Lawrence threw for 321 yards and 3 TDs.
Pittsburgh Tries to Stay Alive
Just being in the playoff hunt has to be an exciting experience for Pittsburgh heading into the Ravens at Steelers betting matchup. Mike Tomlin’s squad started the year 2-6, but have battled back to within two games of the final wild card spot in the AFC. Pittsburgh has three games with sub .500 teams left (Carolina, Las Vegas, Cleveland) as well as a visit to Baltimore.
The Steelers come into Sunday’s game off of consecutive road wins, 24-17 in Indianapolis and 19-16 last week in Atlanta. There other win on this turnaround came against 4-9 New Orleans, so the quality of opponent hasn’t been great but wins build confidence nonetheless.
Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett has gone four straight games without an interception, showing improvement as he had thrown 8 in the five games prior. The Ravens have the 2nd best run defense in the league (82.5 ppg) so Pickett may have to make some plays here.
Free Ravens at Steelers Pick
Huntley starting for Jackson definitely makes this game a little bit more interesting to handicap, but he does have three years in this system and took starter reps all week. Huntley played well against a good Denver defense last week, and he did it while under the weather.
Pickett hasn’t turned the ball over in a month, but he also only has two TD passes over that span. The Ravens will attack regardless of who is at QB, so it’s hard to see the Steelers winning this one with a game manager at QB.
Free Pick: Ravens +1.5
