The Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers meet Sunday in NFL action from Acrisure Stadium. The Ravens last appeared in a matchup versus the Browns. In that game Baltimore posted a blowout win. As for the Steelers, they’re coming off a game against the Texans. Pittsburgh would go on to lose by 24 points. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.

Baltimore Ravens 

The Ravens’ year began with a home game versus the Texans and an eventual 25-9 win. Baltimore kept it up in Week 2 with a tense 27-24 win over the Bengals, then fell in overtime to the Colts 22-19 the next weekend for their first loss of the year. Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson led the rush with 101 yards and a pair of scores in the defeat. 

In game four versus the Browns, the Ravens were up 21-3 by the break and never looked back in a 28-3 victory. Jackson had a solid passing game with 186 yards and two scores (and two more rush TDs). Gus Edwards posted 48 yards on the ground, and Mark Andrews led the receivers on 80 yards and two touchdowns off five grabs. 

Baltimore Ravens Team Facts

The Ravens have lost four of their last five games as road favorites following a win.
The Ravens have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as favorites following a win.
The Ravens have won the first quarter in seven of their last eight Week 5 games.
The Ravens have scored the first touchdown in each of their last six games as favorites.
The Ravens have won the first half in each of their last seven games as road favorites against AFC North opponents.

Pittsburgh Steelers 

Over on the Steelers’ side, they didn’t start off the season very well, falling at home to the 49ers 30-7 in their opener. Pittsburgh was able to bounce back the next week in a 26-22 win over the Browns though, and followed that up with another win 23-18 versus the Raiders. Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett posted 235 yards with two scores in the victory. 

Matched up against the Texans, Pittsburgh trailed 16-0 going into the second half. The Steelers gave up another 14 points in the fourth and lost 30-6. Pickett threw for 114 yards and an interception, while Najee Harris added 71 rushing yards on 14 carries. Harris was also tops in receiving with a 32-yard catch. 

Pittsburgh Steelers Team Facts

The Steelers have won each of their last seven games as home underdogs following a loss.
The Steelers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as home underdogs following a loss.
The underdogs have won the first quarter in four of the last five games between the Ravens and Steelers.
The Steelers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last four games following a loss.
The Steelers have won the first half in three of their last four games as moderate underdogs (+3.5 to +7.0 points).

Matchup/League Facts

The Steelers rank 1st in the NFL in total punt yards this season (1135)
The Steelers rank T2nd in the NFL in forced fumbles this season (8)
The Ravens rank 1st in the NFL in red zone percentage this season (80.0%)
The Ravens rank 1st in the NFL in Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.8)

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stay with the Ravens. That said, in a rivalry matchup such as this, you can throw out the records and stats as it’s anyone’s game. Baltimore’s defense kept them in the Browns game, giving up just 166 total yards (73 passing), 2.6 yards per play, 13 first downs and 4-of-16 on third-down tries. The Ravens also collected three picks. As for the offense, it was very good by comparison with 296 yards total (165 passing) and 16 first downs. Baltimore struggled in a lot of areas though, including a rough 4-of-12 rate on third downs. 

As for Pittsburgh, they’re in an even worse position right now after the big loss to the Texans. The Steelers put up just 225 yards (111 passing), 4.0 yards per play, 12 first downs and six of 14 third-down conversions. With the extra divisional motivation here though, I can see this matchup being pretty close—and relatively low-scoring. I still think Baltimore is in total control cover-wise, though.