Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens
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The toughest rivalry in the NFL is at it again on Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers head to Baltimore to face the Ravens. The AFC North is sure to be one of the most competitive divisions in the league, and this first game could play a huge part later in the year.
Steelers vs Ravens
Venue/Stadium: M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland
Time/Date: 1:00 PM ET, September 11, 2011
NFL Odds From: BetOnline.com
Spread (ATS): Ravens -1 ½ , -110
Over/Under: 36, -110
Both defenses will be hitting as hard and as fast as they can in the first matchup of the AFC North rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.
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Both teams are expected to fight for the division title, and week one could have huge implications on the playoff race later in the season.
Both teams have very similar styles of play, most notably their tough defensive play.
More than that though, the teams’ attitudes reflect one another. Both teams have tough coaches that fit the mold of each team.
Both running games are going to be strong, with Ray Rice running the ball for the Ravens and Rashard Mendenhall, who is coming off a career-best 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns, taking the rock for Pittsburgh.
The Ravens running game was bolstered by the addition of All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach, who will pave the way for Rice who tallied up 1,220 yards to go along with 5 TDs in 2010.
There is one major difference between the two teams though that could be the difference maker in this game: the passing game.
Pittsburgh’s passing attack is far and away the more polished and talented, and everyone expects the team to give quarterback Ben Roethlisberger more chances to push the ball down the field, and if history is any indication, that will indeed be the case.
Every year for the past five years, the average passing plays per game for Pittsburgh has increased and average of five per year, which, if the trend continues, Big Ben could very well be passing the ball 30 times a game this year, which will bode well for the team by making them a multi faceted offense that can score at will against any defense.
The odds makers have the Baltimore Ravens as a -1.5 point favorite with an over/under of 36.
Matt’s Prediction: Pittsburgh 10, Baltimore 7 – It is going to be rough and tough game, and I expect a close finish. Six of the last eight meetings have been decided by five points or less. The teams split last season’s series, with both teams winning by three points at home. It will however, by a very low scoring contest, with big hits stealing the limelight from the offenses. Pittsburgh, though, should be able to put more points on the board than Baltimore, hands down, and they should be able to squeak out a win.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends:
- Pittsburgh 17-5-1 SU in its last 23 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games
- Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Baltimore Ravens Betting Trends:
- Baltimore is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- Baltimore5-1-1 SU in its last 7 games
- Baltimore is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
- Baltimore is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
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