The Steelers, who knocked off the Ravens earlier in the season in Pittsburgh, are right back in the playoff hunt after starting the 2013 NFL season with four straight losses. Baltimore is in the same situation as they are tied with the Steelers and four other AFC teams with a 5-6 record. This game should have a playoff feeling to wrap up the third game on Thanksgiving Night kicking off at 8:30pm ET on NBC.
- When:
Thurs., Nov. 28th, 2013 @ 8:30pm ET
- Where:
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
- Who’s Favored?
BAL by 2.5 ~ 40 o/u @ BetOnline
- More Info:
It is hard to say a game between two teams with a below five hundred records is a must win game but this game is. A win for either of these teams moves them one game closer to winning the second wild card spot. A loss drops them back on the Steelers in the wild card standings with all four of the other teams in action on Sunday.
The Steelers enter this game winning three straight and five of seven. The main reason for their success has been the play of their offense led by Ben Roethlisberger. During the team’s three game winning streak, the Steelers quarterback threw for 788 yards including seven touchdowns to go with one interception. Since entering the NFL Roethlisberger has put together an 8-5 record against the Ravens with 2,872 yards, 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
For the Ravens it will come down to establishing a running game early to open up the passing game. The Ravens have struggled all season to block for Ray Rice as well as keeping pressure off of Joe Flacco. Flacco is 5-6 all-time against the Steelers with 2,375 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. This included a fourth quarter comeback two seasons ago capped off with a game winning touchdown pass to Torrey Smith.
At the start of the season no one saw these two teams struggling this badly but a win this week and their playoff hopes are still alive.