Is one player worth 7 points on the spread? Apparently so. Steelers went from a 3.5 point favorite to a 3.5 point underdog after the announcement that Ben Rothesburger is not playing.
Ravens are coming off a 55-20 demolition of the Raiders, and I say so what. Steelers are coming off a lucky horseshoe win over the anemic Chiefs, and I say so what. This is Ravens vs Steelers and this game is it's own entity.
Ravens swept the Steelers last year (with Big Ben). The Ravens have played the Steelers 4 times without Ben starting (since his being named starting QB) and the Ravens are 4-0. The Steelers do get Mendenhall back and also Clark.
I honestly did not see the Ravens winning in Pittsburgh WITH Ben starting. WIthout him may be a different story. Baltimore has a very difficult 3 game stretch, @ Pitt, @ SD, vs Pitt. My thoughts were that winning 2 out of 3 would be very difficult. Now, without Ben, it almost makes this a MUST WIN for the Ravens. This is a golden opportunity that they simply cannot squander. To come home from a Rothesburger-less Pittsburgh with a loss would be unforgivable, and may set this team in a down-word spiral. Pittsburgh is most certainly not going to lay down. They have the running game to pound the piss out of a weak Ravens defense and control the clock. The Steelers defense is tough and will certainly keep Flacco and the gang from putting up big numbers.
I see a close, tight game. I HATE laying 3.5 points, but I do think the Ravens win. Simply because they have to. When the Ravens HAVE TO win, they do. So my play is sort of a cop out, but that is the way I am playing it. BTW- I would have no problem seeing someone fill in a teaser with Pittsburgh getting 10 or more.
RAVENS 20
STEELERS 19
PLAY: RAVENS M/L -160
RECORD IN RAVENS GAMES 9-0
****REMANDER OF MY NFL PICKS WILL BE POSTED BELOW BY NOON SUNDAY
