Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens Odds

Opening Line: Steelers +2.5, Ravens -2.5 O/U NA

Time: 8:20 PM EST Sunday November 29, 2009 on NBC

by Marasoft.com Staff

In a big AFC North game this Sunday the Baltimore Ravens host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both of these teams trail the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North and each needs to win this game to keep pace with Cincy in this tough division. The Steelers have had a yo-yo season so far, as they began 1-2, won their next 5 games, and now have lost 2 in a row. They were shocked last week losing to Kansas City in OT and on top of that QB Ben Roethlisberger suffered a concussion, but he will play in this game. He has to stay healthy, as the Steelers lost backup QB Charlie Batch for the season with a wrist injury. The Ravens have lost 2 of their last 3 games and are at .500 for the season.

Last week the Ravens lost to the Indianapolis Colts 17-15 and the Steelers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in OT.

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The Steelers are led by QB Ben Roethlisberger (2,867 yds 17 TD 10 INT) and his main targets are WR's Hines Ward (63 rec 798 yds 5 TD) and Santonio Holmes (50 rec 764 yds 1 TD). The Steelers rushing attack is led by RB Rashard Mendenhal (689 yds 4 TD). The Ravens are led by QB Joe Flacco (2,455 12 TD 8 TD) and his main targets are Derrick Mason (46 rec 672 yds 4 TD) and RB Ray Rice (56 rec 515 yds 1 TD). The Ravens rushing attack is led by RB Ray Rice (733 yds 6 TD).

The Steelers have the top-ranked defense in the league, but while they are the best in the league at stuffing the run their secondary has given up an average of 208.7 passing yards per game. The secondary is not the same when S Troy Polamalu does not play, as he is injured and his status is questionable for this game. The Steelers need to contain Ravens' RB Ray Rice, who leads Baltimore in rushing yards and is 2nd in receiving yards. Joe Flacco has been decent this season and he may have to move the chains with his arm since the Steelers are so good at defending the run.

The Steelers' offense ranks 6th in the league and they must have Ben Roethlisberger because his backup in this game is 2nd year QB Dennis Dixon who only has one pass attempt this season. The Steelers have a well-balanced offense with Big Ben and a solid running game. The Ravens' D ranks 9th in the league and they have to play well in this game. They have 21 sacks this season and they have to get to Big Ben and not give him time to find Holmes and Ward, who are each averaging at least 12 yards per reception. The Ravens' secondary will be without starting CB Fabian Washington, who tore his ACL in the last game and is out for the season.

The Steelers are only 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road games. The Ravens are 17-7 ATS in their last 24 games and the total has gone Under in 5 of the last 6 Baltimore games.

This is more of a must win game for Baltimore, as it will be a major uphill battle to make the playoffs if they lose this game and fall below .500.

The Marasoft Pick: Baltimore -2.5