Pittsburgh vs Baltimore Week 8 Spread Opens at Ravens -5.5 with AFC North Up for Grabs

• Baltimore Ravens (5-1) open as 5.5-point favorites against the unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers (6-0) for their Week 8 meeting (Nov. 1, 1 pm. EST)
• The Steelers beat the previously unbeaten Titans 27-24, while the Ravens were on bye
• See opening odds, team overviews, and a prediction about how the line will move

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the AFC’s only unbeaten team.  They weren’t sharp Sunday and still managed to knock off the previously undefeated Tennessee Titans 27-24.  The Steelers haven’t started 6-0 since 1978. They won the Super Bowl that season under coach Chuck Noll.

But despite their strong start, the Steelers are still 5.5-point underdogs against the Ravens (5-1).

Given the popularity of the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger’s determined play, the spread could be reduced as the week moves on.  The Steelers are averaging 30.5 points per game this season, and the Ravens are putting up an average of just under 30 points per game.

Steelers vs Ravens Opening Odds

Odds taken Oct. 25th at FanDuel.

Roethlisberger vs Jackson : A Study in Contrast

Quarterbacks Roethlisberger and Lamar Jackson have been equally important to their team’s strong start, and yet their auras couldn’t be more different. It’s like comparing a Ford F-450 Super Duty truck to  a Ford Mustang.

Roethlisberger is a rugged 242-pound old-school QB, who rumbles around long enough to buy him the time he needs to make a play.  Jackson is a sleek, fast, 210-pounder who has been both the Ravens’ leading rusher and leading passer in four of their five wins.

Lamar Jackson playing real-life Madden. pic.twitter.com/gHETwzdrZN

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 18, 2020

In six games, Roethlisberger has thrown 11 touchdowns and Jackson has 10. Jackson is averaging 189 yards per game passing and Roethlisberger is at 241.

Jackson is more elusive but he has been sacked 15 times, while Roethlisberger has been sacked eight times.

Steelers Showed Vulnerability Against the Titans

Roethlisberger said the Steelers’ win against Tennessee wasn’t pretty. It was an apt description.

At one point, Pittsburgh had a 161-1 edge in yards gained. The Steelers led 24-7 at halftime, thanks to a couple of Roethlisberger TD passes to Diontae Johnson.

But Roethlisberger, who only had one interception in the first five games, threw three interceptions against Tennessee. The Titans outscored Pittsburgh 17-3 in the second half. They had a chance to tie the game with 14 seconds left but Stephen Gostkowski’s field goal kick from 45 yards out went wide.

The Steelers, even at 6-0, said they know they have much work to do. Perhaps the Tennessee scare was what they needed going into the game against Baltimore.

Roethlisberger is on pace for 3,856 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Two years ago he had 5139 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.

— Chris Dokish (@ChrisDokish) October 25, 2020

Steelers’ Johnson Says He’ll Be Ready for the Ravens

Steelers key receiver Diontae Johnson was hurt late in Sunday’s win against Tennessee, but he said after the game he didn’t expect to be out of the lineup. He said it was an ankle bruise

Johnson caught nine passes for 80 yards, including two for touchdowns, in Sunday’s win against the Titans.

The Steelers played Sunday without fullback Derek Watt (hamstring) and cornerback Mike Hilton (shoulder). It’s unknown whether they’ll be able to play Sunday versus the Ravens.

Coming off a bye, the Ravens should be rested and less beat-up than the Steelers.

"Sure there are bumps and bruises."

No other injury info from Tomlin #Steelers

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 25, 2020

Steelers Betting Could Be Heavy

Interest in the Steelers is always overflowing.  But these days fans can’t get enough Steelers talk. In Pittsburgh, it’s not too early to discuss the playoffs and Super Bowl. The Steelers also boast an avid national following.  That will prompt strong betting on the Steelers.

The 5.5-point spread will seem like a large spread to give an undefeated team, and you can anticipate plenty of betting on the Steelers from fans and bettors looking for an early edge. That could easily shrink the point spread. Of course, if it moves too much, it would prompt heavy Baltimore betting.