As bad as things looked for the Pittsburgh Steelers a week ago they still find themselves in a position where a win on Sunday would put them right back in first place in the AFC North. They just have to get through the Baltimore Ravens to do it. The Ravens are road favorites going into the game.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET from Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The game will be televised on CBS.
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This is the third time in three home games this season that the Steelers have been a home underdog, which seems incomprehensible for the Mike Tomlin era. But if you have watched the Steelers offense over the first four games – and at times their defense – you can understand why the public and oddsmakers have so little faith in them.
The Steelers’ offense has managed just four touchdowns in four games and is going to be dealing with some significant injury issues going into Sunday. Starting quarterback Kenny Pickett is questionable with a bone bruise, while tight end Pat Freiermuth is also expected to miss time. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson also remains sidelined after suffering an injury in a season-opening loss to San Francisco.
Typically Tomlin-coached teams are outstanding as home underdogs, but the state of the offense both in terms of quality of play and injuries is a significant hurdle. As is the fact Baltimore is a pretty good team and coming off a huge divisional win against Cleveland.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson had his most efficient passing game of the season against an outstanding Browns defense. As good as Jackson has been throughout his career, Pittsburgh is the one team he has consistently struggled against. His 67.4 passer rating in five career appearances against the Steelers is his lowest against any opponent, while he has also been intercepted six times and fumbled six times against them.
Given the Steelers offense, Pittsburgh could need its defense to do that again to have a chance.
All odds from BetMGM. Looking for NFL tickets? Buy them here.
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(Photo of Lamar Jackson: Jason Miller / Getty Images)
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