The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-0) will host the Baltimore Ravens (6-4) on Sunday afternoon. This game was originally supposed to be played on Thursday night, but Baltimore had numerous COVID-19 positive cases. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 28-24 in Baltimore as a four-point underdog when these teams met earlier this season on November 1.
The Ravens actually outgained the Steelers 457 to 221 and 25 to 19 in first downs in the first meeting despite losing the game. Leading the Steelers in the victory was a 4 to 1 lead in turnover margin, as the Raven also committed six more penalties for 80 extra lost yards.
These two franchises have evenly split their last eight head-to-head meetings against the spread, with both teams covering four times.
Ravens Drop Second Straight Game
The Baltimore Ravens dropped to third place in the AFC North behind Pittsburgh and Cleveland after losing their second straight game on Sunday. After losing 23-17 as a seven-point favorite to New England the week prior, the Ravens fell 30-24 as a six-point favorite against Tennessee last Sunday.
The Ravens were outgained by the Titans 423 to 306 in total yardage for the game, and both teams committed one turnover.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson went 17 of 29 for 186 yards, throwing one touchdown and interception and 51 rushing yards on 13 attempts. J.K Dobbins led the rushing attack with 70 yards on 15 carries, and Mark Andrews led all Ravens receivers with five catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Dez Bryant finished with four catches for 28 yards making his first catch in an NFL game since 2017.
#Ravens RBs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins have tested positive for COVID-19 and will be placed on the reserve list later today, according to sources. All aboard the Gus Bus for Thursday vs. the #Steelers.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 23, 2020
Baltimore is the 12th highest-scoring team in the league averaging 26.8 points per game this season, but only 24th in total offense, averaging 343.9 yards per game. Baltimore has the top rushing attack in the NFL, averaging a league-best 160.5 yards per game, led by Lamar Jackson with 575 yards on 5.6 yards per carry. The ground game will be thinner on Thursday due to running backs J.K Dobbins (72 attempts, 380 yards, 3 TDs) and Mark Ingram II (57 attempts, 232 yards, 3 TDs) testing positive for COVID-19 and unavailable against Pittsburgh. Gus Edwards, who has averaged 4.4 yards per attempt while racking up 376 yards with zero touchdowns, will be the lead back on Thursday Night.
Baltimore's passing game is just 31st in the NFL, averaging 183.4 yards per game. Lamar Jackson ranks 23rd amongst NFL quarterbacks with a 62.3 QBR and has thrown for 1,948 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Defensively, the Ravens are third in the NFL, holding opponents to 19.5 points and eighth with 333 yards per game allowed. Baltimore has given up 116 rushing yards per game, good for 16th in the league, and 217 passing yards per game, ranking seventh.
Steelers Stay Undefeated
Last Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers improved to a perfect 10-0 and covered the spread as an 11-point favorite with a 27-3 home win against Jacksonville.
The Steelers outgained Jacksonville 373 to 206 in total yards and 23 to 14 in first downs. Pittsburgh capitalized off of four Jaguars interceptions while only committing one turnover on an interception themselves.
Ben Roethlisberger went 32 for 46 for 267 yards with two touchdowns and a pick, with Diontae Johnson catching 12 passes for 111 yards to lead the way. James Connor led the rushing game with 89 yards on 13 attempts.
The Pittsburgh defense has held opponents to a league-low 17.4 points per game and is fourth in total defense, only giving up 306.9 yards per game. The Steelers are seventh against the run allowing 103.4 yards per game and third with 203.5 passing yards.
You wanted it
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 24, 2020
You got it
Color Rush #HereWeGo | #Thanksgiving pic.twitter.com/FOtee4gfxL
The Steelers are the fourth highest-scoring team in the league averaging 29.8 points per game this season, but only 21st in total offense, averaging 347.8 yards per game. The Steelers are 18th in the NFL with 245.6 passing yards per game, led by Roethlisberger, who ranks 16th in the NFL with a 66.4 QBR, with 2,534 yards and an impressive 24:5 TD to INT ratio in his 17th season.
The Steelers rushing attack is 21st in league with 102.2 yards per game, led by James Conner, who has averaged 4.4 yards per attempt for 645 yards and five touchdowns on the season,
Notable Trends
- Pittsburgh 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games
- Pittsburgh is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against a team with a winning record
- Pittsburgh is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games against the AFC North
- Baltimore is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games
- Baltimore is 1-4 ATS in last 5 games against a team with a winning record
- Baltimore is 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight-up loss
