In this article, we will formulate a Ravens vs Steelers prediction for this NFL game on Saturday, January 11th at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this AFC Wild Card matchup. The winner of this game will meet the Broncos or Bills in the next round.
Baltimore Ravens Betting Preview
The Baltimore Ravens are 12-5 this year after they defeated Cleveland by a score of 35-10 in their last game. Baltimore led 14-3 at halftime and they were able to pull away in the second half for the win. The Ravens outgained Cleveland by a total of 437-230, won the turnover battle 2-0, and went 7-14 on third down in the game. Lamar Jackson threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns, while Derrick Henry rushed for 138 yards and two scores in the game.
Prior to that win, the Ravens defeated the Texans by a score of 31-2 and the Steelers by a score of 34-17. Baltimore has won four games in a row and won the AFC North by two games. The Baltimore offense has scored 30.5 points per game with 237.4 passing yards and 187.6 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 21.2 points per game this season. Lamar Jackson has completed 66.7% of his passes for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns, and four interceptions, while Derrick Henry has rushed for 1,921 yards and 16 scores this year.
Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 10-7 this season after they lost to Cincinnati by a score of 19-17 in their last game. Pittsburgh trailed 19-7 in the fourth quarter, but they did score 10 points late and nearly completed the comeback. The Steelers were outgained by a total of 314-193, won the turnover battle 2-1, and went 4-12 on third down in the game. Russell Wilson threw for 148 yards and one touchdown, while Najee Harris rushed for 36 yards and one score in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Steelers lost to the Chiefs by a score of 29-10 and the Ravens by a score of 34-17. Pittsburgh has lost four games in a row and they enter the playoffs with no momentum at all. The Pittsburgh offense has scored 22.4 points per game with 192.0 passing yards and 127.4 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 20.4 points per game this season. Russell Wilson has completed 63.7% of his passes for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while Najee Harris has rushed for 1,043 yards and six scores this season.
The First Two Meetings
These two teams have played twice already this season, with each team winning once. Pittsburgh won the first meeting by a score of 18-16, while Baltimore won the second matchup by a score of 34-17. Each team won at home, but even in the Pittsburgh win, they were still outgained by Baltimore and failed to score a touchdown.
Why the Ravens will beat the Steelers
- The Ravens have won each of their last 10 home games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Steelers have lost each of their last five postseason games against AFC opponents.
- The Steelers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five postseason games against AFC opponents.
- The Ravens have covered the spread in each of their last four games as favorites against AFC opponents.
- The Ravens have scored the first touchdown in 10 of their last 11 games as favorites against AFC North opponents.
- The Steelers have lost the first quarter in each of their last six games.
- The Ravens have won the first half in 10 of their last 11 home games against the Steelers following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Ravens’ last six games against the Steelers following a home win has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Steelers’ last five postseason games has gone OVER the total points line.
Baltimore Ravens Player Prop Facts
- Derrick Henry has scored two or more touchdowns in three of his last four appearances in home night games against teams with a winning record.
- Mark Andrews has scored a touchdown in each of the Ravens’ last six games.
- Lamar Jackson has recorded 54+ rushing yards in each of his seven previous January appearances with the Ravens as favorites.
- Derrick Henry has recorded 140+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Ravens’ last four games against AFC opponents.
- Lamar Jackson has recorded 217+ passing yards in each of the Ravens’ last four games as heavy favorites (>-7.0 points).
- Derrick Henry has recorded 18+ receiving yards in each of the Ravens’ last four games as favorites following a win.
- Heading into the Wild Card Round, Derrick Henry ranked T1st in the NFL in rushing touchdowns (16) during the reg. season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Player Prop Facts
- Najee Harris has scored a touchdown in each of the Steelers’ last four January games against AFC North opponents.
- Russell Wilson has recorded 222+ passing yards in each of his last seven January appearances with his team as a road underdog.
- Najee Harris has recorded 10+ receiving yards in each of the Steelers’ last six January games against AFC North opponents.
- Jaylen Warren has recorded 33+ rushing yards in each of the Steelers’ last five games against the Ravens.
- Najee Harris has recorded 55+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Steelers’ last six January games against AFC North opponents.
- Russell Wilson has recorded 21+ completions in each of his last four road appearances against AFC opponents.
- Heading into the Wild Card Round, Chris Boswell ranked 1st in the NFL in made field goals (41) during the reg. season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Heading into the Wild Card Round, the Ravens ranked 1st in the NFL in yards per game (424.9) during the reg. season.
- Heading into the Wild Card Round, the Ravens ranked 1st in the NFL in rushing yards per game (187.6) during the reg. season.
- Heading into the Wild Card Round, the Steelers ranked T1st in the NFL in forced fumbles (22) during the reg. season.
- Heading into the Wild Card Round, the Steelers ranked T1st in the NFL in fumbles recovered (16) during the reg. season.
Ravens vs Steelers Prediction
Baltimore comes into this matchup with the home-field advantage and they have won four games in a row, while the Steelers ended the season on a four-game losing streak. The Ravens have scored at least 31 points four straight and this Pittsburgh defense has had trouble stopping teams during the losing streak. Pittsburgh needed a heroic effort from their kicker and defense in their win over Baltimore earlier in the season, but I just don’t see that happening here. The Pittsburgh offense has been pretty bad in recent games and I don’t like their chances of keeping pace with the Ravens in this one. Take Baltimore to cover at home.