Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2024

Stadium: M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore
Logo Pittsburgh Steelers
VS
Logo Baltimore Ravens
46.5
OPENER
-4.5
45.5o -105
CURRENT
-7 +100
+270
MONEYLINE
-340
0
SCORE
0

Preview and Prediction

The Pittsburgh Steelers, who already possess a playoff berth, are aiming to secure the AFC North title against their bitter foes in Baltimore.

The Ravens are determined to avoid witnessing their rivals' celebration and can secure their own spot in the playoffs with a win against the visiting Steelers on Saturday.

Pittsburgh (10-4) has the opportunity to clinch the division thanks to their 18-16 victory over Baltimore (9-5) on November 17th. The Steelers' Chris Boswell kicked six field goals and the Ravens failed to convert a two-point conversion with just over a minute remaining.

See also: "Dolphins Wide Receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill Injured Ahead of Matchup Against 49ers" See also: "Best 10 Player Predictions for NFL Week 16"

This win marked the Steelers' eighth in their last nine meetings with the Ravens.

"Losing, in general, bothers me not the team we play, really," stated Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. "We just have to find a way to get a win."

Jackson will face a Pittsburgh team that has bigger goals in mind.

"We understand that we have a checklist to complete," said star defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. "We talk about being a top team in the AFC. To achieve that, we need to win the AFC North and make it to the playoffs.

"We want home games in January. This is a step towards that goal."

The Steelers saw their division lead decrease to just one game last week after a 27-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite the setback, Pittsburgh secured a playoff spot due to losses by the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.

Meanwhile, Baltimore gained ground on Pittsburgh with a 35-14 win over the New York Giants. This game marked the Ravens' first of three in an 11-day span, including a Christmas Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on a Wednesday.

See also: "Titans to Face Colts Without WR Alec Pierce Due to Concussion" Nelson Agholor, Ravens wide receiver, declared unfit to play against Steelers See also: Nelson Agholor, Ravens wide receiver, declared unfit to play against Steelers

But first, they must figure out how to end their losing streak against the Steelers.

Jackson's record as a starter against the Steelers fell to 1-4 with their loss last month. In his seven-year career, he has never started a home game against Pittsburgh in front of a full crowd. His only home start against the Steelers a 28-24 loss in 2020 was played with limited fans due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Jackson is eager for a win against the Steelers, but he is not alone.

"It bothers me," said Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey of their recent 1-8 record against Pittsburgh. "That's not a good number at all. You want to be able to beat your rival.

"I will be speaking to the team at some point this week after practice, but that will be the message. This game means a lot to a lot of people. It means a lot to me, being here for a long time. And if you don't understand, the message will become very clear as the week goes on."

Ravens star running back Derrick Henry ranks second in the NFL with 1,474 rushing yards, but he has failed to reach 100 yards in four of the last five games. In their loss to the Steelers, Henry only managed 65 yards, with 31 coming on one play.

Jackson threw five touchdown passes for the sixth time in his career in their win over the Giants. He has thrown 34 touchdowns and only three interceptions this season.

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson threw for a season-high 414 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 1st, but has followed up with underwhelming performances of 158 and 128 yards.

The Steelers are keeping a close eye on the progress of star linebacker T.J. Watt, who injured his left ankle late in their loss to the Eagles.

Watt was limited in practice on Wednesday.

"I'll be sending ice to his house and praying to God we get him right," joked Heyward. "Get lots of rest and get ready for Saturday."

Backup quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal), wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring), cornerback Donte Jackson (back), and safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) all missed practice on Wednesday for Pittsburgh. Pickens, the team's top receiver, has been out for the past two games.

Baltimore had two players sit out of practice on Wednesday due to injuries receiver Nelson Agholor (concussion) and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring).

PREDICTION
Pittsburgh Steelers
19
26
Baltimore Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens Recap JAN 7TH 2024

Brittney Sykes struck a catch-and-fire buzzer-beater

Sunday afternoon
for the visiting Washington Mystics, who squandered a 12-point fourth-quarter lead before
snapping the New York Liberty's eight-game winning streak
with a 90-88 victory in the regular-season finale for both teams.

The two teams will meet again Friday in the opener of a best-of-three series in the first round of the playoffs, when the seventh-seeded Mystics (19-21)

visit the second-seeded Liberty (32-8)
.

The Mystics led 84-72 midway through the fourth before the Liberty mounted a 16-4 run capped by Breanna Stewart's short bank shot with 21.5 seconds left. After a Washington timeout, Stewart blocked Elena Della Donne's shot with what appeared to be 0.2 seconds left.

Following a review, three-tenths of a second were added to the clock. In one motion, Sykes caught the inbounds pass from Natasha Cloud, shot over Stewart's extended hand and

drained the game-winning jumper
.

Sykes finished with a team-high 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists while Cloud had 17 points, six rebounds and five assists. Delle Donne and Ariel Atkins added 11 points apiece.

Sabrina Ionescu had 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Liberty. Jonquel Jones (19 points, nine rebounds) flirted with a double-double, while Betnijah Laney scored 13 points and Marine Johannes had 11 points off the bench.

The Liberty led by as much as eight in the first half before the teams entered the locker room tied 50-50. Sykes' 3-pointer began a 9-0 run that gave Washington its first double-digit lead at 67-57 with 3:10 left in the third.

Ionescu converted a three-point play and Stefanie Dolson

sank a 3-pointer
to pull the Liberty within 71-67 at the end of the third. Delle Donne opened the fourth with a 3-pointer and Stewart answered with a jumper before the Mystics mounted a 10-3 run to go ahead 84-72.