Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens: Early Prediction, Betting Odds, Preview For AFC North Week 16 Matchup

The Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) won’t find the AFC North crown sitting under their Christmas trees, but they can win one of their most prized gifts if they manage to beat the rival Baltimore Ravens (8-6) in Week 16 Sunday night at Heinz Field.

Owning a one-game lead in the division with two contests remaining, Pittsburgh can even up the season series with Baltimore after Week 9’s 21-14 disappointing road loss, deny the Ravens a shot at the division and send them back to AFC’s Wild Card race.

Baltimore’s currently the “last team out” at the No. 7 spot, one game behind Miami (9-5) and two back from Kansas City (10-4). But a victory on the Steelers home turf, where they snapped a two-game losing streak last year behind kicker Justin Tucker’s 42-yard field goal in regulation to tie and 52-yard bomb to win 23-20 in overtime, would put the Ravens at 5-0 in the division and let them overtake the AFC North lead.

The Steelers extended their winning streak to five games last week thanks to kicker Chris Boswell’s six field goals to beat Cincinnati 24-20 on the road. Ben Roethlisberger fired off his 26th touchdown pass of the season and running back Le’Veon Bell tallied 93 rushing yards off 23 attempts, helping Pittsburgh claim a fourth straight road victory and keep up with New England for the league’s current longest winning streak.

The Ravens, meanwhile, survived a late surge by Philadelphia after their defense denied a 2-point conversion with 4 seconds left in regulation and claimed a 27-26 win. Quarterback Joe Flacco launched two touchdowns, one apiece to receivers Steve Smith Jr. and Kamar Aiken while running back Terrance West racked up 77 yards at 5.9 yards per attempt, his second-highest rate in any game this season.

The win also helped Baltimore erase a very costly loss to New England the week prior. Despite forcing three turnovers, including a rare interception from quarterback Tom Brady, the Ravens secondary gave up a 79-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter and put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. However, the mistake wasn’t a regular one for Baltimore, who’s allowed only 41 completions of 20 yards or more and only eight of 40-plus yards, both better than the majority of the NFL.

Receiver Michael Campanaro and rookie rusher Kenneth Dixon helped West and the Ravens gain 151 total ground yards, a huge jump for a team ranked No. 28 in the NFL in rushing offense.

Still, even if Baltimore’s rushing attack has finally found a rhythm, it may prove difficult for the Ravens to eat up the clock on the ground. Pittsburgh’s fifth in the NFL in total rushing defense, and allows a mere 89.1 yards per game. It has, though, coughed up 13 rushing touchdowns, ranking near the middle of the league.

Hindering Bell, who’s moved to third in the league with 1,146 yards despite sitting out three games due to suspension to start the season, will likely be the focal point of Baltimore’s defensive stand. He saw his streak of 100-yard games stopped at four straight, but just barely.

Betting Odds: Pittsburgh -5 (-110), Baltimore +5 (-110) via Bovada.lv

Over/Under: 44.5 points

Prediction: Pittsburgh over Baltimore, 24-17