Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens: Point Spread

There is no way we can look at the NFL Week 15 without paying an extra attention to the ongoing AFC North battle between the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) and the Baltimore Ravens (9-4). Quickly becoming one of the most bet on events with the online sportsbooks, the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens is currently the second most wagered on event online and with a good reason - the Sunday battle between these two NFL franchises will decide whether Steelers will continue their run for the division title or the Ravens fueling a really big contest for the AFC North top spot. Granted the Steelers has the lighter schedule in the remaining two games, the Sunday matchup is a must win for the Baltimore Ravens.

Considering what's at stake on Sunday, there is no surprise that the Baltimore Ravens are the favorite team to win the Sunday football game against the Steelers. At the online sportsbook Bookmaker, the Ravens are small favorite listed with odds -140 to win the game straight up, while the Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting on underdog odds +120, despite already beating Baltimore 23-20 at the end of September, a win which gave them the one-point lead on the AFC North table. The Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens point spread is posted at -2.5 points chalk the Ravens with the total predicted by the bookmakers at 34 points. And according to the odds makers at Bookmaker, the majority of bettors like what they see and heavy action was noticed on the Ravens to cover. Betting trends on the Steelers vs. Ravens game indicate that Pittsburgh is 4-2 against the spread in its last 6 games, while Baltimore is 7-1 against the spread in its last 8 games. Keep in mind, however, that the Ravens have covered six out of the last 7 games when playing against the Steelers, which would explain the bettors' actions this week. Also, the total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh.

This late into the season injuries are already the norm - at Pittsburgh running back Carey Davis, linebacker James Harrison and defensive end Brett Keisel all missed Thursday practice. But the physical condition at Baltimore is much more deteriorated. Ravens wide receiver Marcus Maxwell is out for NFL Week 15 football with hip injury, while wide receiver Derrick Mason and running back Ray Rice missed Thursday practice. Limited practice at Baltimore yesterday had wide receivers Mark Clayton and Yamon Figurs, safety Ed Reed and cornerback Samari Rolle.

Published on 12/12/2008