First place in the AFC North is at stake when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football next Sunday. The Steelers (6-2) have won four consecutive games since dropping their Week 4 road test against the Houston Texans, with the most recent victory coming last Sunday against the New England Patriots. The Ravens (5-2) were also winners in Week 8, but their victory over the Arizona Cardinals had to be somewhat troublesome if you’re a Ravens fan. Baltimore trailed Arizona by 24-3 at halftime before getting their act together and storming back to win 30-27.
The opening line for the two rivals’ rematch was -3 in Pittsburgh’s favor. Since then, that number has increased to -3 1/2 at Bodog, while the vig has increased to -120 at 5Dimes.
If you’re a believer in the Steelers regardless of the injury situation at linebacker, then you’d be wise to find the line as soon as possible at -3 and take it. If you’re concerned about what Ray Rice might do to the Steelers defense without the services of James Farrior (calf), James Harrison (eye) and LaMarr Woodley (hamstring), you can probably find a line at -3 1/2 and take the Ravens. I think though that as the week progresses and Woodley is most likely ruled out for Sunday, the line will inch back down perhaps as low as 2 or 2 1/2.