Ravens vs Steelers ( BAL -3, 48.5)
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Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh | Sunday, November 17, 2024
What a fantastic game this is at the top of the AFC North. Lamar Jackson, the frontrunner to win a second consecutive MVP award, is leading the league’s very best offense, who will be tested this weekend against a sturdy Pittsburgh Steelers defense in their own building. Defeating a Mike Tomlin-led side is never going to be easy, but this version is on a four-game winning streak, looking as dangerous as ever with Russell Wilson under center.
Tomlin’s decision to turn his 4-2 team over to a new quarterback has paid off big time, with Russell Wilson passing for 737 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception from his three games, averaging a passer rating of 105.9. His presence in the lineup has added a deep-passing element that has completely unlocked the overall offense. In particular, it has unlocked George Pickens, who has spent the last three games reminding us that he is one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL. Across Wilson’s three starts, Pickens has collected 276 yards and two touchdowns, with many of those yards coming on remarkable contested catches.
With Najee Harris running hard and Jaylen Warren now back from injury and also performing well, this is a legitimate offense that can beat anyone. While Harris and Warren may struggle going up against a Baltimore defense that is giving up the fewest rushing yards per game this year, with just 73, Russell Wilson is in a great spot to succeed. That’s because, for as good as Baltimore is at stopping the run, they are equally bad at stopping the pass, giving up a league-worst 294.9 passing yards per game. Watch out for Russell Wilson and George Pickens to do some damage this weekend, perhaps with another touchdown from new signing Mike Williams, who scored on his debut last week.
Pittsburgh certainly has a lot to be excited about, but so do the Baltimore Ravens. Their 31.8 points and 440.2 yards per game both rank first in the NFL. Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson are producing a league-leading 182.6 rushing yards per game, and Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, and company are producing the third-most passing yards per game with 257.6. They really are doing whatever they want against opposing defenses, moving the ball at will in both the pass and rushing game.
This will be a fascinating clash for the high-flying Ravens offense, going up against the Pittsburgh defense that is giving up the second-fewest points per game, with 16.2.
The Steelers are limiting opponents to just 87.1 rushing yards per game, which is fourth-best in the NFL, while also holding opposing quarterbacks to the seventh-lowest completion rate at 62.5%. Lamar and his Ravens offense are certainly going to have their work cut out, but if any team has the right personnel to get the job done, it’s Baltimore.
Derrick Henry already has 1,120 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns at 6.1 yards per carry, with Lamar Jackson also chipping in with a very useful 538 yards and two touchdowns as a runner. Stopping King Henry tends to be target number one for defenses, but with Zay Flowers already posting 688 receiving yards on the season, Rashod Bateman passing the 500-yard mark, and Mark Andrews now getting more involved, it really is an embarrassment of riches.
Pittsburgh will benefit from being in their own building, and should be able to put up points against this generous Baltimore pass defense, but you bet there will be points going in the other direction as well. With so much at stake in the AFC North, this promises to be box office entertainment.
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Ravens -3