The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Baltimore Ravens in week four of the NFL season. This AFC North battle will be the featured game on Sunday night. These two longtime rivals both feel that they are playoff teams in the 2018 season.
The Steelers got their first win of the season in week three, in a thrilling win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football. They had previously tied the Browns and lost to the Chiefs. The Baltimore Ravens bring a 2-1 record into this game. They have beat the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills, but were defeated by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Pittsburgh Steelers are -3 over the Baltimore Ravens in this game.
Steelers Throwing The Deep Ball
With Le’Veon Bell still absent from the team, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been throwing the ball often to begin the season. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has already thrown 139 passes this season, and has passed for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns. JuJu Smith-Schuster has racked up 356 receiving yards through three games this season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense have given up 30.0 points per game which ranks 28th in the NFL. Pittsburgh still manages to get a ton of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but they struggle in the secondary. T.J. Watt has recorded three of the Steelers eleven sacks so far this season. The Steelers secondary with be tested again in this game.
Ravens Looking For Running Game
The Baltimore Ravens are averaging more than 32 points per game this season despite getting little production out of their running game. Alex Collins leads the Ravens with 116 rushing yards but is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. Collins has scored two touchdowns, but Baltimore will need to get more production from him in this game. Quarterback Joe Flacco has completed 64% of his passes this season and has thrown six touchdowns to just two interceptions.
Veteran linebacker Terrell Suggs leads the Ravens with 2.5 sacks so far this season. He has also the only forced fumble recorded by Baltimore. The Ravens are fifth in the NFL in points allowed per game, and they have a talented roster on the defensive side of the ball. Kicker Justin Tucker is a weapon that can get the Ravens critical points in opponent’s territory.
Steelers Win Close Game
The Baltimore Ravens are tied with the Cincinnati Bengals atop the AFC North standings, but many experts believe that the Steelers are the team to beat. The Ravens defense has played well through three games this season, but they face a tough test in this game. Baltimore needs their running game to get going to control tempo in this game.
Pittsburgh is now facing the reality that Le’Veon Bell might not report to the team this season. The Steelers still have a ton of offensive weapons led by Roethlisberger and receiver Antonio Brown. Look for the Steelers to make enough plays to win an important game over the Ravens by a touchdown. Bet the Pittsburgh Steelers -3 over the Baltimore Ravens.
