Pittsburgh Steelers Favored Over Baltimore Ravens
By Brett Foote
Nov 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller (83) gets tackled by Baltimore Ravens safety James Ihedigbo (32) and linebacker Daryl Smith (51) during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
The Vegas odds for week two are in, and they unanimously have the Pittsburgh Steelers favored over the Baltimore Ravens. This is not at all surprising, considering how the Ravens struggled offensively on Sunday, losing their home opener to the Cincinnati Bengals in disappointing fashion. The Pittsburgh Steelers, on the other hand, ran up a big lead on the Cleveland Browns early only to see that lead erode, requiring a late game field goal to seal the victory.
Here is the breakdown of how each Vegas outlet predicts the outcome of Thursday night’s game.
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Bookmaker
Steelers +3, O/U 44
BetDSI
Steelers +3, O/U 44
Bovada
Steelers +3, O/U N/A
5Dimes
Steelers +2 1/2, O/U 44
Pinnacle Sports
Steelers +2 1/2, O/U 44
Wager Web
Steelers +2 1/2, O/U 44
The Ravens and Steelers have played five straight contests that were decided by five points or less, so the smart money is on a close game. We don’t expect the Raven’s wide receivers to commit nine drops again, as they did in the opener. Nor do we expect them to throw the ball 62 times. This should be a close contest between two teams that are built similarly as both employ stout defenses, big quarterbacks with strong arms, and physical offensive and defensive lines.
Had the Ravens squeaked out a victory on Sunday, they would most likely be favored at home in this contest. The Bengals are a much tougher opponent than the Browns, and are a favorite among many experts to win the AFC North in 2014. The Browns, meanwhile, seem destined for another year in the basement after losing the NFL’s top receiver in 2013, Josh Gordon, to a year long suspension. With the Ravens looking to rebound, this contest could easily go either way.
Statistics tell a similar tale. These two teams have met nine times since 2010, and the Ravens hold the advantage during that span with a 5-4 record. The only game out of those nine that was decided by more than one score occurred on September 11th of 2011, when the Ravens won 35-7. The closest occurred just last season on Thanksgiving Day, when the Ravens won 22-20. The rivalry that exists between the Ravens and Steelers is one of the best in the NFL, and history tells us that this game promises not to disappoint.