The undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers face their rival Baltimore on Sunday from M&T Bank Stadium in front of a few thousand fans. The Ravens are coming off a bye and need this game if they are going to win the AFC North for the second straight seasons. The Steelers are coming off an exciting 27-24 road win over previously undefeated Tennessee last week.
Last season, the Ravens won both games, including a 28-10 victory at home. In both games, Pittsburgh played without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
(Line Movements, Weather & Injury Reports Are As Of Sunday Morning)
Line movements: The line for this one has moved a bit toward the visiting team as the week has worn on. Baltimore opened as a solid 5.5-point favorite in this AFC North contest. As of Sunday, that line has moved to the Ravens giving four points at most sportsbooks. 58 percent of the bets against the spread are backing the undefeated Steelers getting the points on the road.
The total was originally set at 49 points but the total has dropped a little bit during the week. It now sits at 46 at most sportsbooks. A slight majority, 57 percent, of the bets on the total in this contest are backing this one going over the mark despite the dropping of the total.
Game-time Weather: Temperature at kickoff will be in the mid-50s and will remain in that range as the game wears on. There is a 50 percent chance of rain at kickoff and that number climbs to near 65 percent as the game continues. That will knock the real-feel temperature down into the high-40s. Winds are expected out of the south-southwest around 10 miles an hour with the gusts topping out around 13 miles an hour.
Second half struggles
Pittsburgh opened the season at the New York Giants and took care of business (26-16). That followed with four straight home games and wins against Denver (26-21), Houston (28-21), Philadelphia (38-29) and Cleveland. They were supposed to play Tennessee after the Texans, but had to take a bye due to COVID-19 issues on the Titans. So they really hadn’t been challenged on the road and that challenge appeared to be a laugher when the Steelers opened up a 24-7 halftime lead on Sunday against Tennessee. But a late Ben Roethlisberger interception with 14 seconds left in the end zone, seemed to give some momentum to the Titans.
.@missi_matthews talks about what Ben Roethlisberger said in his weekly press conference, the challenges Calais Campbell presents, Wednesday’s practice report & more. pic.twitter.com/LCdp2OaMxO
— Steelers Live (@SteelersLive) October 28, 2020
Tennessee outscored Pittsburgh 17-3 in the second half and was a 45-yard Stephen Gostowski field goal from tying the game with 19 seconds left. But Gostkowski missed the kick and the Steelers remained undefeated. Roethlisberger completed 32 of 49 for 268 yards with two TDs, but also had three picks, including a late one, that allowed Ryan Tannehill to lead his team to field goal range.
Roethlisberger has been the story this season. At 38, he can’t move as well as he used to and is coming off a season-ending injury, but he’s still one of the league’s top quarterbacks. He’s completed 68.2% of his passes for 1,446 yards with 13 TDs and just four picks (three of them last week). His return has helped the running game, led by James Conner (451 yds, 4 TDs). Big rookie Chase Claypool (6-4, 238) has given them a boost with 18 catches for 333 yards with six TDs, while second-year burner Diontae Johnson adds 24 catches for 227 yards and three scores.
The Steelers average 30.5 points per game, even though the offensive numbers are pretty pedestrian. Defensively, they allow just 286.3 yards per game to rank first in the NFL. They allow just 217.5 yards passing (6th) and 68.8 yards rushing (2nd). That run defense will be put to the test against the Ravens on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers Injury Report:
OUT: T Zach Banner, LB Devin Bush, S Jordan Dangerfield, LB Ulysses Gilbert III, NT Chris Wormley
Doubtful: CB Mike Hilton
Questionable:FB Derek Watt, OL Stefen Wisniewski
Ravens looking for consistency
Baltimore was 5-1 heading into the bye, but they couldn’t be completely satisfied. Some things needed to be improved including the pass rush and an inconsistent passing game. The Ravens have handled most of their schedule with ease, aside from Kansas City, but things are about to get tougher. Not only do they face Pittsburgh this week, but they host Tennessee the following week. That’s followed by a road game at New England and then at Indianapolis.
Baltimore’s offense has been been a disappointing 27th in the league with 342.2 yards per game. It starts with the passing game, which has produced just 177.8 passing yards per game. Lamar Jackson is not having an MVP season with 1,135 passing yards, 10 TDs and two picks (63%). Last season, he completed 66.1% of his passes and ran for 1,206 yards. This season, he has 346 yards rushing as teams are taking away his outside scampers. To improve the passing game, the Ravens added 32-year old veteran Dez Bryant, who hasn’t played in three years. They added him right to the practice squad as he will work to get into game shape for the next week or two.
.@YannickNgakoue gets right to work 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ohghQzxiSM
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 28, 2020
The Ravens didn’t solve all their problems over the bye, but they did trade for DE/OLB Yannick Ngakoue from Minnesota. The former Jags/Vikings pass rusher has generated five sacks in six games this season. Baltimore’s top pass rusher in six games is DE Calais Campbell with four sacks. The Ravens still rank ninth in the NFL in yards allowed per game (339.8) and 14th in passing yards allowed (230.8). The addition of Ngakoue will allow them to blitz less, assuming he’ll play mainly in passing situations on Sunday.
Baltimore Ravens Injury Report:
OUT: LB Otara Alaka, CB Anthony Averett, TE Jacob Breeland, CB Iman Marshall, T Andre Smith, WR De’Anthony Thomas, WR Antoine Wesley, WR DeAndrew White, CB Tavon Young, NT Brandon Williams.
Doubtful: RB Mark Ingram II
Questionable: DB Anthony Levine Sr., CB Jimmy Smith
