Steelers Vs Ravens: Las Vegas Line and Pick Against Spread

The AFC North is the roughest division in football and when these two teams meet there is never a lack of punishing hits or cheap shots. Ray Lewis circled this game on his calendar the day the schedule came out and now the rested linebacker looks to prove his career is far from over.

The two teams rank well in all categories but this season many will watch the Pittsburgh Steelers defense this season. There are rumblings the Steelers defense has lost a step and this game will serve notice to the doubters of Troy Polamalu and company, that this defense is better than ever.

Steelers Offense vs Ravens Defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the best offense going into this game. What Ben Roethlisberger gives up in mobility, he makes up for with game smarts. The running game was a problem last season but Rashard Mendenhall will pound the ball inside early establishing the run, especially in this game.

Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense is older with some young additions at key spots. Can Lewis and Ed Reed squeeze one more year out of their now fragile bodies? Reed took a step back last season due to injury but he spent much of the summer resting up for the 2011 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has the edge over the Baltimore Ravens defense.

Baltimore Ravens Offense vs Pittsburgh Steelers Defense

Joe Flacco is not a quarterback capable of producing big numbers but he does have a nice one-two punch out of the backfield with Ricky Williams and Ray Rice. The key for this season will be a punishing run offense led by Rice and supported by Williams.

Troy Polamalu is the key to this Pittsburgh Steelers defense. He is the dynamo who can smell the ball out on every play. Instincts are key on defense, especially with a player like Polamalu. If he goes down with injury, James Harrison and Lamaar Woodley are ineffective. The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has the edge over the Baltimore Ravens offense.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens -3: Pick Against the Spread

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a three-point underdog in this game and these games have a history of being decided by exactly three points. The teams split the series last year with both teams winning on the road.

The score will be low, below 30 points for each team which makes the 37 point over/under total very tempting. The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook has installed the Ravens as a three-point favorite but the road team looks better prepared for this one. Take the Pittsburgh Steelers +3 over the Baltimore Ravens.

Sources:

NFL team websites: Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens
Las Vegas Hilton Superbook Betting Sheet