Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Prediction NFL Picks 12/21/24

Baltimore Ravens Betting Preview

The Baltimore Ravens are 9-5 this season after they defeated the Giants by a score of 35-14 in their last game. Baltimore led 21-7 at halftime and scored the first 14 points in the second half for the easy win. The Ravens out gained New York by a total of 445-236, tied the turnover battle at one, and went 9-11 on third down in the game. Lamar Jackson threw for 290 yards and five touchdowns, while Derrick Henry rushed for 67 yards in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Ravens lost to Philadelphia by a score of 24-19, but did beat the Chargers by a score of 30-23 before that. The Baltimore offense has scored 29.9 points per game with 245.6 passing yards and 178.4 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 23.7 points against per game this season. Lamar Jackson has completed 68.1% of his passes for 3,580 yards, 34 touchdowns, and three interceptions, while Derrick Henry has rushed for 1,474 yards and 13 scores. 

Why the Ravens will beat the Steelers

• The home team has won each of the Steelers' last six Week 16 games.
• The Steelers have lost four of their last five Week 16 road games against AFC opponents.
• The Ravens have covered the spread in six of their last seven December games against the Steelers.
• The Steelers have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four December games as road underdogs against AFC opponents.
• The Steelers have lost the first quarter in five of their last six Week 16 games.
• The Steelers have lost the first half in 12 of their last 14 road games against teams that held a winning record.

Why the Steelers will beat the Ravens

• The Steelers have won eight of their last nine games as underdogs following a road loss.
• The Ravens have lost each of their last two games as favorites following a win.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in nine of the last 10 games between the Steelers and Ravens.
• The Ravens have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games following a win.
• The Steelers have won the first quarter in three of their last four games as road underdogs against the Ravens.
• The Ravens have lost the first half in each of their last three games following a win.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Ravens' last six games against the Steelers following a win have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Each of the Steelers' last five games as underdogs against the Ravens have gone UNDER the total points line.

Baltimore Ravens Player Prop Facts

• Derrick Henry has scored two touchdowns in three of the Ravens' last four games at M&T Bank Stadium against teams with a winning record.
• Derrick Henry has scored at least one touchdown in nine of his last 10 appearances against AFC opponents.
• Lamar Jackson has recorded 237+ passing yards in each of the Ravens' last six games played as favorites on the East Coast.
• Diontae Johnson has recorded 14+ receiving yards in each of his 16 previous December appearances against AFC opponents.
• Diontae Johnson has recorded 15+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his 16 previous December appearances against AFC opponents.
• Lamar Jackson has recorded 55+ rushing yards in four of his five previous December appearances against AFC North opponents.
• Lamar Jackson has thrown three or more touchdowns in four of the Ravens' last five games played as favorites on the East Coast.
• Lamar Jackson has recorded 18+ completions in each of the Ravens' last four December games.
• Heading into Week 16, Lamar Jackson ranks 1st amongst qualified players for passer rating (120.7) this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers Player Prop Facts

• Najee Harris has scored a touchdown in four of the Steelers' last five games as road underdogs against AFC North opponents.
• Jaylen Warren has recorded 33+ rushing yards in each of the Steelers' last four games against the Ravens.
• Jaylen Warren has recorded 54+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Steelers' last seven games as underdogs against AFC opponents.
• Russell Wilson has recorded 213+ passing yards in six of his seven previous road appearances against AFC North opponents.
• Mike Williams has recorded 22+ receiving yards in 14 of his last 15 appearances with his team as a road underdog against AFC opponents.
• Russell Wilson has thrown three or more touchdowns in three of his five previous December appearances against AFC North opponents.
• Russell Wilson has recorded 20+ completions in six of his last seven appearances following a loss.
• Minkah Fitzpatrick is just one away from 20 career interceptions.

Matchup/League Facts

• Heading into Week 16, the Ravens rank 1st in the NFL in red zone percentage (74.1%) this season.
• Heading into Week 16, the Ravens rank 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards per game (178.4) this season.
• Heading into Week 16, the Steelers rank 32nd in the NFL in average kickoff return (22.4 yards) this season.
• Heading into Week 16, the Steelers rank T1st in the NFL in turnover differential (+18) this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Prediction 

Baltimore comes into this matchup after alternating wins and losses over their last five games, but they are still one of the best offenses in the NFL and they are at home. Pittsburgh has won two of their last three games and they beat Baltimore by a score of 18-16 back in the middle of November. The Steelers couldn’t get much going last week against the Eagles, but they should be able to attack this below average Baltimore defense. I know we saw a bunch of field goals in their first meeting, but I think we are going to see more touchdowns here. Take the over.