The Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday for the second time in 2024, in a game where the Steelers could clinch the division title with a victory. Pittsburgh previously beat Baltimore at home in Week 11 without scoring a touchdown and converting six field goals with Chris Boswell. The Ravens are a clear-cut threat to the rest of the National Football League, but the Steelers have taken them down eight times in the last nine meetings. It will be a tougher task this time around for the Steelers, with George Pickens being ruled inactive for the third straight week.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Chris Boswell kicks one of six field goals in a win over the Baltimore Ravens in 2024.
Pittsburgh's chances of winning this weekend in Baltimore certainly fall with Pickens' absence. The offense over the last two weeks has lost some serious explosiveness and downfield play-making. Without their number one wide receiver, opposing defenses have been able to stop the run with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. If the Steelers want any shot at winning the AFC North title on the road, Mike Tomlin and Russell Wilson are going to need big performances.
The majority of the national media are taking the Ravens to win this game over Pittsburgh. This week is a must-win for Baltimore if they want any shot at a home playoff game in the first round. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Ravens are six and a half point favorites over Tomlin and the Steelers.
Media personality Colin Cowherd is a big fan of picking Tomlin to cover the spread as an underdog, and he explained why he'll pick Pittsburgh to cover once again against the Ravens.
"You know what the Ravens are? They're the Mike Tyson," Cowherd said on his podcast. "They're bullies. First round knockouts against bad teams. You push them back, you make them think, Baltimore can get beat by a lot of good teams. Pittsburgh pushes back. Tomlin is a six and a half point underdog. This to me is the steal of the week."
In Baltimore's Week 11 loss in Pittsburgh, the Ravens turned the ball over three times and missed two field goals by Justin Tucker. The Ravens have relied heavily on the run game with Derrick Henry, but he only managed 65 yards on 13 carries against Pittsburgh's defense. Tomlin and the Steelers have done a really solid job at containing Lamar Jackson and Baltimore's other play-makers, and won't let the Ravens push them around. This is why Cowherd is confident in Pittsburgh.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers' TJ Watt and Patrick Queen make a play on Ravens running back Derrick Henry in 2024.
After last week's disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, this Steelers group should be ready to go in Baltimore. A sweep over the Ravens would solidify a home game in the first round of the playoffs and it would be the first division title for the Steelers since 2020. A loss would set both AFC North squads at 10-5 and Pittsburgh would be in a much tougher situation to win the division.
Steelers' Russell Wilson And Offense Need To Have Big Performance Without George Pickens
In their 18-16 victory just a few weeks ago, Pickens, to no surprise, was the team's leading receiver with eight catches for 89 yards on 12 targets from Wilson. Harris, Warren, and Darnell Washington were the top three pass-catchers behind Pickens in that matchup, which is a major concern going into this weekend.
Leading the team while Pickens works his way back has been mostly tight end Pat Freiermuth, who's caught a touchdown in three straight games. The offense is going to need guys like Harris and Freiermuth to have big games for the offense if they want any shot at taking down Jackson and the Ravens.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Pat Freiermuth runs with the ball during a win over the Cleveland Browns in 2024.
No matter who comes out on top with the win, Cowherd is taking Tomlin and the Steelers to cover the six and a half point spread. The last nine matchups between the historic AFC North rivalry have all ended within one score. Taking the Steelers to cover the spread seems like a guarantee.
What do you think? How will the Steelers handle the Ravens without Pickens on the field? Will the Steelers cover the spread? Let us know in the comments below.
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