Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 5-0 straight up and 4-1 against the spread in their last five AFC North home games; the Baltimore Ravens are 1-5 ATS in their last six AFC North road games. The 5-3 Steelers and 5-3 Ravens continue their bitter rivalry with their second meeting of this season Sunday night at Heinz Field.

Point Spread: Ravens opened as 1.5-point favorites; the total was 47.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NFL pick, via Odds Shark Computer: 27.1-26.5 Ravens

Why the Ravens Can Cover the Spread

The Ravens had won five of their previous six games until falling at Cincinnati last week 27-24. Baltimore took the lead for the first time in the game on a Lorenzo Taliaferro touchdown run with six minutes to go, but they allowed the Bengals to drive 80 yards for the winning score with less than a minute on the clock.

Before that loss, the Ravens had beaten Tampa Bay and Atlanta by a combined score of 77-24. Baltimore ranks ninth in total offense, 13th in total defense and has outrushed opponents by a 128-90 yards-per-game margin. So far this NFL season, teams that have won the ground battle are 80-42 SU, 81-38 ATS.

Why the Steelers Can Cover the Spread

The Steelers have won and covered two games in a row, after romping over the Colts last week 51-34. Pittsburgh racked up 522 yards of offense, outrushed Indy 117-63 and won time of possession by a lopsided 40-20 margin. That's how you win games and cover spreads in the NFL.

If the Steelers hadn't blown that game against Tampa Bay a few weeks ago, they'd be in first place in the AFC North. Pittsburgh ranks third in total offense and 16th in total defense, while outrushing foes by 20 yards per game.

Smart Pick

The Ravens hold a short edge in the running games—and on defense—and they just beat the Steelers back in September 26-6, outrushing them 157-99, covering as field-goal favorites. So the smart choice here is with Baltimore.

Betting Trends

• Baltimore is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
• Pittsburgh is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games at home

Note: All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark—follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.