The Baltimore Ravens will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14, and they’ll very likely do so without their star quarterback. Lamar Jackson is set to miss this week’s game after suffering a knee injury this past Sunday.
That means it’ll be the Tyler Huntley show again in a situation that feels eerily similar to last season. Huntley is a more than capable quarterback who has proven himself in the past, but he’s no Lamar Jackson.
Nonetheless, these aren’t the Steelers of old either. While their defense is still impressive, Pittsburgh’s offense is a shell of its former self.
Who will emerge victorious in the AFC North rivalry? Let’s take a look at three bets that might be worth making.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Best Ravens Bets Week 14
Ravens spread (+1.5)
Despite facing a lowly Steelers team that’s only 5-7 because of victories over the lowly Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts in recent weeks, the Ravens are 1.5-point underdogs on the road this week.
Much of that likely has to do with Jackson’s absence, but the Ravens themselves haven’t exactly been playing lights-out football as of late either.
Still, the Ravens are the better team here by a decent margin. A loss this week would provide detrimental to the team’s chances of not only winning the division but making the playoffs as a whole.
This feels like a must-win game for the Ravens. I think the safe bet is to assume they get it done, even with Huntley at QB.
Under 36.5 point total (-105)
Sunday’s matchup will very likely be a defensive showdown as well as a dual between two lackluster offenses. Even given the already-low 36.5-point over/under, I feel comfortable taking the under.
The Steelers have scored more than 24 points just once this season and have failed to top 20 points in nine of their last 11 games. They’re hardly an offensive juggernaut.
The same could be said about the Ravens who have failed to score more than 13 points in two of their last three games. Now with Huntley starting, it’s hard to expect a big day from the offense.
The point total prop is low, but I’d still hammer the under this week.
Tyler Huntley OVER 42.5 rushing yards (-114)
The Ravens will likely look to lean on the ground game as much as possible on Sunday. A returning J.K. Dobbins will split time with Gus Edwards in the backfield, but don’t be surprised if Huntley gets his fair share of ground work as well.
This past week, Huntley rushed for 41 yards on 10 carries as well as a game-winning rushing score in the fourth quarter. He rushed for 40 or more yards in each of the five games he received substantial playing time last year too.
This is a stingy Steelers defense, but they’ve allowed some room on the ground to opposing quarterbacks in recent weeks. Huntley presents their most difficult challenge yet.
Expect a heavy dosage of the ground game for the Ravens with Huntley serving as one of the primary beneficiaries.