Ravens vs Steelers Odds, Picks, Prediction for NFL Week 5
Getty Images. Pictured: Lamar Jackson (left) and Kenny Pickett (right).
Ravens vs Steelers Odds, Picks, Prediction
| Ravens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -1o5 | 38.5 -110o / -110u | -225 |
| Steelers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -115 | 38.5 -110o / -110u | +180 |
Ravens vs. Steelers odds have Baltimore listed as a 4.5-point road favorite over Pittsburgh in most Week 5 betting markets, as we dive into the Ravens vs Steelers odds, picks and prediction for NFL Week 5.
Baltimore versus Pittsburgh has steadily become one of the more exciting rivalry matchups in the NFL. What makes this matchup so enticing is that no matter how the teams are currently performing, they always show up for this game and give each other their best. We will see if this happens once again for two teams coming off polar opposite weeks.
Let's preview this AFC North clash, and make a Ravens vs. Steelers pick.
In Week 4, Baltimore finally put together a complete game and blew through the Browns 28-3. After two weeks of playing tight games against underwhelming teams – the Bengals and Colts – the Ravens needed a statement win.
Offensively, the rumored transition to a pass-heavy offense has not gone as expected. Baltimore is last in pass attempts and 26th in passing yards. However, despite focusing resources on its aerial attack, Baltimore has maintained its potency on the ground. The Ravens are fourth in rushing yards and third in rushing touchdowns.
Perhaps as the year goes on, this team will eventually turn to leaning on the pass, but for now, the Ravens still rely on the run.
Defensively, the Ravens have dealt with injuries to some of their best players — but they haven't skipped a beat, currently ranked second in yards per drive and third in points per drive.
Now, Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Williams return to a defense that ranks first in net yards per pass allowed. Their returns should allow this defense to play more aggressive and make game-changing plays.
Bet Baltimore vs Pittsburgh at FanDuel
Speaking of units that make game-changing plays, Pittsburgh’s defense has been the make-or-break factor in its wins. In the Steelers' two victories, the defense forced seven turnovers. In their losses, just one.
In terms of raw numbers, Pittsburgh's defense looks bad on paper, but that is more due to time on the field. The Steelers rank 23rd in points allowed and 30th in yards allowed. However, when you look at efficiency numbers, their defense moves up to 24th in yards per drive and 18th in points per drive.
More impressively though, they are 14th in the percentage of drives ending in an opposing score, according to Pro-Football-Reference. Keeping in mind that the Steelers are last in average possession time per drive, their defense has played pretty well despite being on the field for an outrageous amount of time.
Turning to the main problem for Pittsburgh — the offense.
The Steelers' efficiency numbers are bottom of the barrel: 30th in yards per drive, 31st in points per drive and 29th in percentage of drives leading to a score. These struggles come despite having a dearth of playmakers at their disposal.
The good news for the Steelers offense is that Baltimore has a bottom-ten pressure unit, per PFF. Playing a worse pass rush should help Pittsburgh's league-worst pass block unit (PFF).
We will see if keeping Kenny Pickett upright can give this offense a spark.
Ravens vs Steelers
Betting Picks & Predictions
These teams have looked both strong and weak at times this season. We can give flowers to the Ravens for dominating the Browns, but can't discount the fact that Cleveland started Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback.
The Steelers, on the other hand, are coming off their worst outing of the year in which Houston inflated the deficit by scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Rather than try to decipher what is real and not, I will turn to the recent matchups in this rivalry. Our Week 5 Betting Primer details the history, but the bottom line is underdogs have dominated this matchup over the years. In games between Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh, the underdog is 22-5-3 against the spread.
The home underdog position is also a Tomlin special. Add that to the division rivalry twist and this looks like a great spot to back Tomlin to flex his muscles as a prime emotional leader.
I’m taking the points and Steelers. Worst-case scenario, I expect Pittsburgh to keep things close with a very familiar foe.
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