Steelers vs Ravens Prediction & Picks (Week 17 SNF): Will the ground game guide Baltimore past Pittsburgh again?

Despite being without Lamar Jackson recently, the Baltimore Ravens remain in the hunt for the AFC South title. But to keep their hopes alive into the final week of the regular season, they will need to see off the rival Pittsburgh Steelers tonight in their home finale.

Week 17’s Sunday Night Football matchup is set to kick off at 8:20 pm ET, and you can catch all of the action from M&T Bank Stadium on NBC.

If Baltimore (10-5, 5-2 home, 2nd in the AFC North) defeats Pittsburgh (7-8, 4-4 away, 3rd in the AFC North), then the Ravens can win the division at Cincinnati (11-4) next Sunday, thanks to having already beaten the Bengals at home in Week 5.

After losing to the Ravens at home in Week 15, Pittsburgh’s NFL playoff hopes were hanging by a thread. But with back-to-back wins, they have carried their chances into the season’s penultimate Sunday.

Which AFC North rival will come out on top in tonight’s primetime tilt? Read on for our Steelers vs Ravens prediction, as well as our Pittsburgh vs Baltimore pick and analysis.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Odds

Odds are via BetOnline as of Sunday, January 1, 2023, at 4:40 pm ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Pittsburgh Steelers +1.5 (-110)
• Baltimore Ravens -1.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 35.5 (-106)
• Under 35.5 (-114)

Moneyline

• Pittsburgh Steelers +108
• Baltimore Ravens -126

Will the Ravens Ride the Run and Their Defense to Another Win?

The ground game is a big part of Baltimore’s offensive gameplan no matter who is in at quarterback, but it has carried an increased importance since losg Jackson during their Week 13 win over the Denver Broncos.

After tallying 103 yards on 28 carries against the Broncos, the Ravens have had three productive weeks on the ground:

• at Steelers (Week 14): 42 carries, 215 yards (5.1 yards per carry)
• at Browns (Week 15): 28 carries, 198 yards (7.1 yards per carry)
• vs Falcons (Week 16): 34 carries, 184 yards (5.4 yards per carry)

The Ravens have managed just three touchdowns and 46 points with Huntley, but they are 3-1 thanks to that productive ground game and their defense, which has allowed just three touchdowns and 45 points in four games.

In last week’s 17-9 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore was outgained 327-299.

But they stopped the Falcons on downs twice in plus territory, and a forced fumble and takeaway on a fourth-down conversion early in the third quarter proved pivotal in helping the Ravens establish some valuable space.

When these two teams met in Pittsburgh, the Steelers outgained the Ravens 329-309, but three interceptions by Mitchell Trubisky–all in Baltimore territory–and a blocked field goal helped the Ravens pick up a huge win at Acrisure Stadium.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Prediction and Picks

Steelers vs Ravens Prediction: Ravens to win

Steelers vs Ravens Picks: Ravens ML (Best Value: BetMGM) & Steelers team total under 16.5 (Best Value: BetMGM)

Since opening the season with a win at Cincinnati, the Steelers have struggled to beat decent teams this season. In seven games since against teams currently .500 or better, Pittsburgh’s only win is against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6. I don’t see that record improving tonight, even if Baltimore remains without its star quarterback.

The Ravens are struggling to generate much on offense right now, but their defense has been doing its part week in, week out while Jackson has been sidelined.

I don’t really see Baltimore winning at Cincinnati next week if Jackson doesn’t play, but they will at least go into that game with a chance to win the AFC North.

More NFL Week 17 Content at Betting News

• NFL Week 17 Odds
• NFL Week 17 Picks