The Sunday Night Football in the NFL 2022 season this week was due to be the clash of the Los Angeles teams but instead the huge AFC North clash between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers has been flexed into that position.
These two teams never need an invitation to beat each other up but they both know that they will begin the primetime clash knowing that they have to win out on the campaign to achieve their current aims so this is a huge game.
Baltimore Ravens
This has been a bit of a topsy turvy season for the Baltimore Ravens although a lot of that has been down to the injury to Lamar Jackson which has halted them in their stride in terms of offensive performance if not results. Nevertheless, they kick off here 10-5 for the year and they know if they win their last two matches they will be crowned the AFC North winners and will host a team in the playoffs, which is a massive incentive here.
Jackson remains out for the Ravens here so for the fourth game in a row they will hand the reins to Tyler Huntley, who really needs a performance in case anything happens to Jackson when the playoffs come around. The Ravens go into this match off the back of three wins in their last four matches but they haven’t put up more than 17 points in any of those games and while their defence is elite, how long they can rely on it remains to be seen.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
This was never going to be a smooth season for the Pittsburgh Steelers and it certainly hasn’t been that way but at 7-8 for the year they remain alive in terms of getting a wildcard spot. They have to win out to have any chance of that and then they will need to hope that they get help from results elsewhere. The positive for the Steelers is they have already played one must win match on primetime and come through it so they can take confidence from that.
The Steelers defence showed some good signs against the Las Vegas Raiders last week and if they can come up with the goods again, especially against the run and force the backup opposing quarterback to win the game with his arm they might be in business. The big question is whether the Steelers can get anything going on offense against one of the best defences in the league. They have won four of their last five but haven’t put up more than 24 points in any of them.
Betting
I wouldn’t usually go near the under on a 35.5 point line but given that these two met three weeks ago and the line wasn’t covered and these two defences are in such good form I think the under is the natural play. This has all the feel of one of those matches where the kickers could be important and it wouldn’t be a surprise if this one comes down to a last play field goal to decide it but the simple fact is that these two defences just can’t conceding points at the minute.
In their last four outings, the Baltimore Ravens have conceded just 45 points while the Pittsburgh Steelers have only leaked three more in that time. I think it is fair to say that neither team have played a great offense in that period but these two offenses aren’t among the most powerful with no Lamar Jackson around either. Matches between these two when the offenses were more settled tend to be low scoring affairs. Only one of the last four has covered this line and that only had 39 points in it. Given what both teams are playing for and the rivalry between the two I’m expecting a hard fought defensive battle where the points are in short supply.
Tips
Back Under 35.5pts for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with Sky Bet
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