This coming Sunday, two AFC North teams will go head-to-head as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens in a critical Week 13 clash. The Ravens will be looking to extend their winning streak to three games against a Steelers side that has not won since Week 9. Who will prevail in this Ravens vs Steelers game? Here's a breakdown of this important divisional matchup.
Baltimore Ravens installed as -2.5 favorites
The Baltimore Ravens moved to the top of the AFC standings on Sunday Night Football after beating the Cleveland Browns, 16-10. The Ravens overcame a sloppy showing by Lamar Jackson to improve their record to 8-3. They are a half-game ahead of the New England Patriots for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
For the Ravens to maintain that advantage in Week 13, they will need Jackson to lessen his mistakes against the Steelers. He looked out of sorts in the win against the Browns, throwing a career-high four interceptions, three of which came in consecutive possessions late in the first half.
He made up for his mistakes in the third quarter, throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews that gave Baltimore a 13-3 lead. Jackson finished the game with 165 passing yards and 68 yards rushing.
Jackson will fancy his chances against a Steelers defense that has conceded 41 points in each of their last two outings. The Steelers had no answer in Week 12 for Joe Mixon, who ran for 165 yards and a couple of touchdowns on 28 carries.
That will be music to the ears of the Ravens, who are second in the league in rushing offense, averaging 150.7 yards per game this season.
Related Article: New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills Week 13 Predictions, Picks, Odds, and MNF Preview
Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 13 as +2.5 underdogs
The Pittsburgh Steelers failed to win for the third consecutive game as they lost in humiliating fashion to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers suffered a 41-10 loss to their division rivals, dealing a huge blow to their hopes of reaching the playoffs. They now head into Week 13 with a 5-5-1 slate, the worst record in the AFC North.
The Steelers will look to get their season back on track in Week 13 when they face the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers received terrible news on Monday, though, with star pass-rusher T.J. Watt placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He just returned from a one-week absence against the Bengals, recording just two combined tackles in the blowout loss.
Watt is a key member of the Steelers' defense, recording 12.5 sacks in nine games played this season. The deadly coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the Steelers' squad of late, with both safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger missing some time because of positive tests.
With Watt likely sidelined for the clash against the Ravens, Pittsburgh will turn to Taco Charlton and Derrek Tuszka. Both players have played 115 snaps each for the Steelers this season. The Steelers have depth problems in this position, with the team just trading Melvin Ingram III to the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the deadline.
Writer's Prediction
Pittsburgh wins over Baltimore.
READ MORE ON SWN:
Cowboys vs Saints Week 13 Predictions, Picks, Odds, and Thursday Night Football Preview
Cardinals vs Bears Week 13 Picks and Preview: Will Justin Fields Start in Key NFC Duel?
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
