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Prediction: BAL 20, PIT 27 (Line: PIT by 3)

This is the third time these teams have played. The Ravens won 26-6 at home back in week two while the Steelers won their home game 43-23 in week nine. The Steelers are 6-2 at home while the Ravens are 4-4 on the road.

It is troublesome that the Ravens already were beaten soundly in Pittsburgh this year and against in the last road game two weeks ago in Houston. The Ravens draw a break with the Steelers missing Le’Veon Bell though but in the end, it will be all about the Ravens ability to slow down the Steelers passing game. The weather says it may rain but the wind will be mild and no help.

QUARTERBACK : Joe Flacco threw for two scores in each meeting with the Steelers this season. He ended with only 166 yards in the home game and 303 yards and an interception when in Pittsburgh. Flacco has consistently scored less in road games than at home aside from the big game in Tampa Bay.

RUNNING BACK : Justin Forsett never mattered much in this matchup. He ran for 56 yards on eight carries at home and later 38 yards on nine runs in Pittsburgh. He does add four or five catches in each game though he has never scored on the Steelers. Bernard Pierce had the primary job back in the first game with 96 yards on 22 runs but later in Pittsburgh only managed one run for two yards since Forsett had taken over.

WIDE RECEIVER : Steve Smith started the year out hot and maintained moderate value in some games but only managed six catches for 71 yards in the first meeting with the Steelers and later five receptions for 36 yards on the road. Torrey Smith started the year very cold and only managed one catch for ten yards in week two but later accounted for four catches for 63 yards and one score in Pittsburgh. Torrey Smith scored a total of 11 times during the regular season though his yardage rarely amounted to more than 60 yards or 70 yards.

TIGHT END : Owen Daniels hasn’t done much this year but he caught five passes for 28 yards and two scores in the home meeting with the Steelers and later six receptions for 53 yards in the road game. Owens four scores on the year were all at home and anything over 50 yards is unusual.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: This was already a shootout of sorts in last game in Pittsburgh. Flacco and both Smith’s have to come through to keep this competitive and the Steelers secondary may still be without several top players including Troy Polamalu. Forsett keeps some value here as a receiver but this comes down to Flacco hitting the wideouts. The Ravens offense enters this with only five offensive touchdowns over the last three games combined.

The Steelers finish the regular season on a four game winning streak but all that seems in jeopardy with the injury to Le’Veon Bell. Letting LeGarrette Blount go seemed to be a good thing when it ignited Bell into being the top back in the NFL but now that the options are dramatically inferior, the offense has to rely on the pass. Fortunately they already destroyed the Ravens in that way earlier in the year and the Steelers can compete on just the pass.

QUARTERBACK : While Ben Roethlisberger had no touchdowns when he passed for 217 yards in Baltimore this year, he came back with a vengeance. Big Ben passed for 340 yards and six touchdowns against the visiting Ravens and consistently posted big yards and multiple scores when at home.

RUNNING BACK : While the word is not official, it seems almost a lock that Le’Veon Bell will be out this week after receiving a hyper extended knee last week that looked like a shred job when it happened. Bell never scored on the Ravens this year but in the home game he ran for 82 yards on 18 carries while sharing with LeGarrette Blount (8-27). Now it will be the tiny Dri Archer with his 17 NFL touches and Josh Harris who has only nine runs for 16 yards.

The Steelers signed Ben Tate this week but he’s unlikely to play a big role so soon or even that well if he did since he’s been dropped by two NFL teams in one season.

WIDE RECEIVER : This is the year of Antonio Brown. He’s already scored 13 times and broken 90 yards in 13 different weeks. Brown ended with 90 yards on seven catches in Baltimore but later rolled up 11 receptions for 144 yards and one score in the home meeting. Markus Wheaton turned in two catches for 62 yards and a score in that game while Martavis Bryant managed three catches for 44 yards and two scores in that last meeting as well.

TIGHT END : Heath Miller has not occupied much of a role as a receiver this year and never had more than 35 yards in either meeting with the Ravens.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: The Ravens are #1 against running backs but the Steelers are pretty much out of them anyway. Here is where the Ravens #32 ranking against wide receivers loses the game. Again.

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