Total in Ravens vs Steelers Opened at 42.5, Now Listed at 44.5
- Baltimore Ravens have surrendered 73 total points in back-to-back losses to KC and Cleveland
- Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off their best defensive performance of the season, limiting Cincinnati to 175 yards in a 27-3 win
- Key injuries may limit Pittsburgh’s opportunity exploit Baltimore’s shaky defense, setting the stage for a low-scoring affair
After opening at 42.5, the point total in Sunday’s clash between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers has made steady gains, vaulting to its current position at 44.5.
Looking at the trends of the two teams so far in the Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers odds & stats, three of the Ravens four games have gone over the total, while the Steelers have gone under in three of their first four affairs.
How should you bet the total ahead of this AFC North divisional matchup in Week 5?
Ravens vs Steelers Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | -3 (-119) | -180 | O 44.5 (-109) |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +3 (+101) | +160 | U 44.5 (-109) |
*Odds taken 10/03/19
Ravens Defensive Struggles
Recent meetings between these rivals have tended to be low-scoring affairs, with the two teams combining to score more than 40 points just twice in seven meetings since December 2015.
So what has changed going into Sunday afternoon’s clash at Heinz Field?
For starters, the Ravens defense has been a major disappointment during the team’s current two-game losing streak, surrendering over 500 total yards in consecutive losses to Kansas City and Cleveland, giving up a combined 73 points.
It was the most points the team has allowed during a two-game stretch since giving up 69 points in consecutive losses to the Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks back in December 2015.
Nick Chubb 88 yards for TD versus Ravens pic.twitter.com/NWvWW25xMY
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 2, 2019
The Ravens have been dominated both in the air and on the ground in the past two weeks.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes lit up the Ravens for 374 passing yards and three touchdowns in Kansas City’s 33-28 win as 4.5-point home chalk.
Last weekend, it was Nick Chubb’s turn, with the Browns RB Nick Chubb marching for 165 yards and three scores in Cleveland’s lopsided 40-25 win as 7-point road underdogs.
Both Teams Impacted by Injury
Injuries have also been a concern. In addition to losing cornerback Tavon Young for the season with a neck injury, the Ravens were without defensive tackle Brandon Williams, who missed last weekend’s loss to the Browns with a knee injury.
Coach Harbaugh gives injury update on Tavon Young: pic.twitter.com/34zAalGfiZ
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 16, 2019
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson continued his steady play in a losing effort against the Browns, racking up 247 yards and three TDs.
However, the Baltimore offensive line continued to disappoint their second-year pivot last weekend, allowing Jackson to be sacked four times, lifting the total number of sacks in the past two weeks to seven.
The injury bug has also bitten the Steelers. Pittsburgh has badly missed linebacker Vince Williams, who has been sidelined for the past two games with a hamstring injury. The 29-year-old amassed 72 total tackles to go along with 4.5 sacks and a pair of interceptions last season, but returned to practice with the Steelers on Wednesday.
Win Over Cincy a Confidence Boost for Steelers
Pittsburgh routed the last-place Cincinnati Bengals 27-3 as 3.5-point home favorites last week, and limited the Bengals to just 175 total yards in their strongest defensive performance since 2011.
Mason Rudolph has looked increasingly comfortable since taking over from injured starter Ben Roethlisberger. The 24-year-old out of Oklahoma State turned in the best performance of his young NFL career against Cincinnati, connecting on 24 of 28 attempts for 229 yards and a pair of touchdowns against no picks.
Mason Rudolph is out here balling against the Bengals.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/NsdiHvStFZ
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) October 1, 2019
Rudolph could have an opportunity to build on those numbers when the Ravens come to town, but injuries also remain a concern on the Steelers offense. Neither running back James Conner nor receiver Juju Smith-Schuster participated in practice on Wednesday.
Smith-Schuster was spotted favoring his foot after suffering a toe injury on Monday night. Conner piled up 125 total yards and one score against the Bengals, but is now sidelined with an ankle injury that leaves his status for Week 5 uncertain.
Ravens Struggles, Steeler Injuries Set Stage for Under
With the Ravens struggling to keep pace with playoff contending teams in the past two weeks, the Steelers have a golden opportunity to return to contention in the AFC North with a fifth win in five meetings in Baltimore.
.@missi_matthews details Wednesday's injury report, talks about what the defense has to do to stop the Ravens' offense, the addition of QB Taryn Christion to the practice squad and more. pic.twitter.com/xH1FJxKg6G
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 2, 2019
However, the injuries to Conner and Smith-Schuster remain a massive concern for the Pittsburgh offense.
With the under prevailing in totals betting in three of the Steelers’ past four home dates, ending an 11-2 run for the over, and with rain currently in the weather forecast for Sunday, this divisional matchup has the makings of being another low-scoring contest.
Pick: UNDER 44.5 points (-109)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
