Submitted by Admin on January 13, 2011 - 09:00
The Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers meet in Black and Blue game
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens are very familiar with one another as this will be the third meeting of the year. The Steelers and Ravens are very bitter rivals and as division foes meet up twice a year.
The games between these two games are very close as indicated by the three point margin in both meetings this year. Pittsburgh fans will point out that the Steelers lost the first game without the services of suspended quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. When he returned for the second contest the Steelers won. This game will be much more significant than the regular season games, because the winner will advance to the AFC Championship game. The loser will know they were sent home by their arch rival.
The Baltimore Ravens already have one game under their belt in the playoffs as they easily stomped the Kansas City Chiefs. The Ravens started slowly and then dominated in the second half as they won convincingly. The Ravens defense was the main reason for the win playing with an inspired Ed Reed. The Ravens defense used that motivation to play an inspired second half and shut down the home crowd and the Chiefs setting up a battle with the Steelers.
The Steelers believe they have a formula that can beat the defensive minded Ravens. The Steelers will attempt to establish the run against the Ravens which may be hard to do because the of the Ravens tough defense. The Chiefs led the league in running the ball and were silenced, which means this game could come down to the play of Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger actually has a good record against the Ravens and is not afraid to stand in the pocket and take a hit. That will to win could be the difference in this game.
The sports betting trends are positive for both teams in this game.
The Ravens are 27-10-1 ATS in their last 38 games on grass, 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 games as a road underdog of 0.5-3.0, and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 playoff road games.
The Steelers are 5-0 ATS in their last five against the AFC North, 7-1 ATS in their last eight playoff games, and 4-1 ATS in their last five Divisional Playoffs games.
Something has to give as these two physical teams meet up in the playoffs to produce an instant classic.