Entering Week 18, four divisional titles were up for grabs. The AFC North headlines the group, featuring a tight race between the Baltimore Ravens (8-8) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7).
Both teams clash on Sunday, with the winner advancing to the postseason and the loser falling short of the playoffs. We’re in for a treat as the regular season concludes with a must-see Sunday Night Football battle.
Sunday’s bout kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. Below, we’ll make a Ravens vs. Steelers prediction and picks, featuring PrizePicks player projections and PrizePicks Team Picks trends to monitor.
Ravens vs. Steelers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
The Chargers and Bills have clinched wild-card spots in the AFC, while the second-place AFC South club occupies the other slot. Baltimore and Pittsburgh are not alive for a said opening, so it's do-or-die for each team’s playoff dreams and the No. 4 seed.
According to the injury report, the Steelers are at full health, but Pittsburgh WR DK Metcalf is still serving his two-game suspension. For the Ravens, WR Rashod Bateman (illness), DT Taven Bryan (knee), and CB Marlon Humphrey (illness) are questionable.
Ravens vs. Steelers Over/Under, Spread
After stacking a 2-1 record over the previous three games, the Ravens are 3.5-point favorites on Sunday on PrizePicks Team Picks, aided by the absence of Metcalf. The Steelers have a 2.56x payout to win outright.
A low-scoring contest might be ahead, given Week 18’s 40.5 total.
- Spread: Baltimore Ravens -3.5
- Over/Under: 40.5
- Game Winner Payout: Ravens 1.44x | Steelers 2.56x
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Ravens vs. Steelers Prediction on Spread
In Week 17, the Steelers were one win away from clinching the AFC North as 4-point favorites against the Browns. Pittsburgh fell short in the 13-6 loss, as the offense turned in a dud with a measly 4.5 yards per play.
Last week was Metcalf's (850 receiving yards) first absence this season. QB Aaron Rodgers logged just 4.3 yards per pass — a harsh drop from his 6.7 mark for the year.
This offense severely lacks another presence at wideout, as TE Pat Freiermuth (435 receiving yards) and RB Kenneth Gainwell (422 receiving yards) are the second- and third-leading targets. Metcalf dominates the Steelers’ downfield work, boasting a 43.0% air yards share (fifth), via PlayerProfiler.
Minus its top receiver, Pittsburgh’s passing game could be limited. The Steelers tout solid efficiency in the run game with 4.3 yards per carry (16th). However, Baltimore excels at stopping the rush by holding opponents to-0.08 EPA per carry (tied for third), per SumerSports.
On the other side of the ball, the Ravens have recorded 29.7 PPG over the last three, surpassing their season-long average of 25.0 (11th). With a healthy unit, Baltimore is performing like most expected in the preseason.
This remains one of the league’s most potent ground games, totaling 5.3 yards per carry (first). Pittsburgh, meanwhile, cedes 0.0 EPA per carry (tied for 21st). Additionally, the Steelers yield a gaudy 246.4 passing yards per game (30th).
Pittsburgh’s offense may fail to keep up with Metcalf out of the lineup.
Ravens vs. Steelers Picks for Sunday Night Football
Among player projections at PrizePicks, Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell may pick up some slack in the receiving game. Elsewhere, Ravens RB Derrick Henry could stay hot on the ground.
Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell vs. Ravens Projection: 4.5 Receptions
- Gainwell is one of the league’s most-used receiving backs, carrying a 16.0% target share (fifth) and 269 routes run (11th). He touts excellent efficiency, too, boasting 1.57 yards per route run (seventh).
- Since Week 11, the veteran tailback is averaging 6.0 targets, 5.1 receptions, and 42.7 receiving yards per game.
- While Gainwell’s usage dropped to 4 targets and 3 catches last week, he’s still reached at least 5 receptions in five of the previous seven contests.
Ravens RB Derrick Henry vs. Steelers Projection: 91.5 Rushing Yards
- Since Week 14, Henry is averaging 22.5 rushing attempts and 134.5 rushing yards per game. Following his jaw-dropping 216 rushing yards in Week 17, he's on fire.
- The five-time Pro Bowler logged 94 rushing yards in Week 14’s meeting with the Steelers.
- Usage isn’t a worry, as King Henry holds 287 carries overall (fourth) and gets 17.9 rushing attempts per contest.
- Henry also sports 925 yards created (10th) and 4.7 true yards per carry (10th), giving him the ideal efficiency to perhaps feast on SNF.
Make Ravens vs. Steelers SNF Picks on PrizePicks
Who will be crowned the AFC North champions on Sunday Night Football? The Steelers have a tall task ahead with Metcalf absent, potentially leading to a one-dimensional offense. Will Pittsburgh overcome adversity against the Ravens?
Make your SNF picks on PrizePicks for a chance to earn real-money rewards if you’re right. Just pick players and predict More or Less on their projected stats. You can also make picks on the winner, spread, over/under, or futures on teams to make the playoffs on PrizePicks Team Picks — now available in 30 states.
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