Steelers vs. Ravens odds, line, spread: 2024 Week 18 NFL picks, Saturday predictions by model on 181-129 roll
Written by CBS SPORTS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED on January 5, 2024
The Pittsburgh Steelers will try to earn a playoff berth for the seventh time in the past 10 years when they battle the Baltimore Ravens in a key AFC North matchup on Saturday. The Steelers (9-7), who have not had a losing record under coach Mike Tomlin since he took over in 2007, are coming off a 30-23 win at Seattle on Sunday. The Ravens (13-3), who have already clinched the top seed in the AFC playoff bracket, rolled to a 56-19 win over Miami last Sunday. Since coach John Harbaugh took over in 2008, Baltimore has reached the postseason 11 times in 16 seasons.
Kickoff from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is set for 4:30 p.m. ET. The Steelers are three-point favorites in the latest Steelers vs. Ravens odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over-under for total points scored is 35. Before making any Ravens vs. Steelers picks or NFL predictions, you need to see the NFL betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 18 of the 2023 NFL season on an incredible 181-129 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. It is also on a 35-21 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of last season.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick’em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.
Now, the model has zeroed in on Steelers vs. Ravens and identified its picks and predictions. You can see the model’s picks only at SportsLine. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Ravens vs. Steelers:
- Steelers vs. Ravens spread: Pittsburgh -3
- Steelers vs. Ravens over-under: 35 points
- Steelers vs. Ravens money line: Pittsburgh -178, Baltimore +148
- PIT: Steelers are 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 games
- BAL: Ravens are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games
- Steelers vs. Ravens picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Steelers vs. Ravens live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why the Steelers can cover
Mason Rudolph is expected to get the start against Baltimore as Kenny Pickett continues to nurse an ankle injury. Rudolph is coming off a solid performance in last Sunday’s win at Seattle. In that game, he completed 18 of 24 passes (75%) for 274 yards for a 112.2 rating. A week earlier in a 34-11 win over Cincinnati, he completed 17 of 27 passes (63%) for 290 yards and two touchdowns. In four seasons with the Steelers, Rudolph has completed 273 of 438 passes (62.3%) for 2,933 yards and 18 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
Running back Najee Harris powers the running game. In 16 games, he has carried 229 times for 923 yards (4.0 average) and seven touchdowns. He has converted 45 first downs. Harris has been an option out of the backfield, catching 24 passes for 149 yards (6.2 average), including one explosive play of 32 yards. He is coming off his first 100-yard game of the year on Sunday, carrying 27 times for 122 yards (4.5 average) and two touchdowns. See which team to pick here.
Why the Ravens can cover
Despite that, the Steelers are not a lock to cover the Steelers vs. Ravens spread. That’s because Baltimore still has a solid quarterback option even with Lamar Jackson sitting. In his place will be fourth-year veteran Tyler Huntley, who has filled in admirably for Jackson when he has been unable to go. In 19 career games, he has completed 206 of 314 passes (65.6%) for 1,811 yards and seven touchdowns.
Veteran running back Melvin Gordon III is expected to see action for the Ravens. He has played in just three games this season, but has 19 carries for 63 yards (3.3 average) and one touchdown. The ninth-year veteran from Wisconsin is a former 1,000-yard rusher for the Los Angeles Chargers, and has scored 10 touchdowns in a season twice. In 111 games played, Gordon has carried 1,586 times for 6,525 yards (4.1 average) and 56 touchdowns. See which team to pick here.
How to make Steelers vs. Ravens picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over the total, projecting 37 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread cashes in over 50% of simulations. You can see the model’s NFL picks and analysis only at SportsLine.
So who wins Ravens vs. Steelers on Saturday, and which side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you should jump on, all from the advanced model on a 181-129 roll on NFL picks, and find out.
The post Steelers vs. Ravens odds, line, spread: 2024 Week 18 NFL picks, Saturday predictions by model on 181-129 roll first appeared on CBS Sports.