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Ravens and Steelers collide on Sunday night
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 11/2/2014  at  5:19:00 AM
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BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-3)
at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-3)

Kickoff: Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Baltimore -1, Total: 48

Division rivals clash on Sunday night when the Ravens visit the hated Steelers.

Baltimore fell 27-24 in Cincinnati last week, while Pittsburgh beat the Colts 51-34 behind 522 passing yards and six touchdowns from QB Ben Roethlisberger. When these teams met in Week 2, the Ravens crushed the Steelers 26-6 as 2.5-point home underdogs. But Pittsburgh is 11-4 SU in the past 15 home meetings with Baltimore, and Roethlisberger is 3-1 SU (2-1-1 ATS) when hosting the Ravens at home over the past five seasons, passing for 243.8 YPG in those contests with five total touchdowns and just 2 INT. Since 1992, the Ravens are 44-23 ATS after playing a game where 50 or more total points are scored. Meanwhile, the Steelers are 12-4 ATS after the first month of the season over the past two years and are also 26-11 ATS in home games after allowing 6+ yards per play in their previous game since 1992. WR Torrey Smith (concussion), CB Jimmy Smith (foot) and TE Owen Daniels (knee) are questionable for Baltimore. Pittsburgh's main injuries are on the defensive side of the ball with NT Steve McLendon (shoulder) and S Shamarko Thomas (hamstring)

Which team will win this heated rivalry? For the answer, connect to NFL Best Bets for all the StatFox Experts picks throughout the 2014 regular season and playoffs. The experts have remained hot over the past six weeks, combining for a 57% ATS mark (54-40). StatFox Scott is 71% ATS (17-7) in Best Bets during this timeframe, and 63% ATS (20-12) on the season. StatFox Dave is 62% ATS (16-10) in Best Bets during these six weeks to improve to 56% ATS (20-16) on the season, while StatFox Brian has gone 59% ATS (13-9) in NFL Best Bets since Week 3, and continues to roll in NFL Totals with a stellar 71% record (17-7) for the season.

The Ravens were unable to come away with a road victory over the Bengals last week, but they have still won two of their past three and five of their past seven contests. QB Joe Flacco (2,049 pass yards, 14 TD, 7 INT) was miserable against the Bengals, throwing for just 195 yards with zero touchdowns and two picks. He’ll need to limit his ill-advised throws against a Pittsburgh secondary that will make him pay. One player who did step up against the Bengals was RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (226 rush yards, 4 TD). The running back rushed seven times for 27 yards and two touchdowns in the game and also caught two passes for 42 yards. He’ll continue to get the goal-line carries for this team, but he could have trouble against a tough defensive front on Sunday. The Ravens are going to need WR Steve Smith Sr. (41 rec, 675 yards, 4 TD) to get himself back on track. After a sizzling start to the season, which included six catches for 71 yards versus Pittsburgh, Smith has just six catches for 102 yards over the past two weeks combined. The Ravens defense has been very good this season, allowing just 90.4 rushing yards per game (7th in NFL). They had not given up more than 20 points in a game in the four weeks before allowing 27 to Cincinnati.

The Steelers put a beating on the Colts last week with 51 points and 639 total yards. Ben Roethlisberger (2,380 pass yards, 16 TD, 3 INT) is coming off a career-best game (40-of-49, 522 yards, 6 TD, 0 INT) and his receivers were no slouches either. WR Antonio Brown (60 rec, 852 yards, 7 TD) had 10 catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns in the game. He has been the most consistent receiver in football with at least 84 yards in all eight games this season, and should have no trouble getting himself free against the Ravens. He had seven catches for 90 yards, plus a 10-yard carry, when he faced Baltimore in Week 2. RB Le’Veon Bell (691 rush yards, 1 TD) was severely under utilized in that game. Pittsburgh fell behind early, so Bell only got 11 carries for 59 yards. He also caught five passes for 48 yards. The Steelers will likely feature him early in an effort to win the battle for time of possession. WR Martavis Bryant (7 rec, 123 yards, 3 TD) has been unleashed in the Pittsburgh offense. The rookie played his first two games of the year over the past two weeks and responded with three touchdown catches. He’s a big target and has shown good hands and footwork, so Roethlisberger will look to target him when he’s faced with smaller Ravens’ corners. Pittsburgh’s defense has been solid this season, allowing just 107.8 rushing yards per game (11th in NFL) and 250.1 passing yards per game (19th in NFL). They’ve struggled against the pass at times, but they did limit Joe Flacco to just 166 yards the last time they met. He did, however, throw for two touchdowns and no picks.


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