The AFC Championship game get’s unleashed, Sunday Jan 18, with the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers beat the Ravens twice this year, 23-20 in Week 4 and 13-9 in Week 15. NFL oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com have the Steelers as -6 point home favs over the Ravens with the over/under posted at 34 points. Get your AFC Championship Game Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens in now at SBGglobal.com
The Steelers needed only one win to make the AFC Final, they beat the Chargers 35-24 at home. QB Ben Roethlisberger made 17 of 26 passes for 181 yards with one touchdown pass. To date QB Ben Roethlisberger has 17 touchdown passes for 3,314 yards with 15 interceptions. He makes 60% of his passes for an 80.2 QB rating. Their top RB Willie Parker had 27 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns. WR Hines Ward had four catches for 70 yards, while WR Heath Miller added a touchdown. Their offense is currently ranked 22nd overall averaging 312 yards a game, no thanks to their 16th ranked passing game that averages 207 passing yards a game. Unfortunately their running game is bad ranked 23rd averaging 105 yards a game. WR Hines Ward leads the Steelers with seven touchdowns. QB Roethlisberger is fresh off a concussion and going up against the tough defense of the Ravens, one good hit could have bad consequences for Roethlisberger.
On defense the Steelers allowed the Chargers a low 15 yards rushing and a high 308 yards passing. Their overall defense is currently ranked best in the league allowing an average 237 yards a game, thanks to their first ranked pass defense that gives up an average 157 yards a game. Their rush defense is just as good currently ranked second overall allowing an average 80 yards a game. DE James Harrison leads the Steelers defense with 15 sacks.
The Ravens have two playoff road wins; they beat the Dolphins and the heavily favored Titans. They’ve outscored their opponents 40-19. They’ve combined for 201 yards rushing and 296 yards passing. QB Joe Flacco made a combined 20 of 45 passes for 296 yards with one touchdown pass. To date rookie QB Joe Flacco has 14 touchdown passes for 2,971 yards with 12 interceptions. He makes 60% of his passes for an 80.3 QB rating. Their offense is currently ranked 18th overall averaging 324 yards a game, thanks to their fourth ranked running game that averages 148 passing yards a game. Unfortunately their passing game is horrible ranked 28th in the league averaging 175 yards a game. Their passing game has improved with WR Derrick Mason catching, he’s made a combined nine catches for 149 yards with one touchdown.
On defense the Ravens allowed the Dolphins 52 yards rushing and 224 yards passing, while they allowed the heavily favored Titans 116 rushing yards and 275 yards passing. Their overall defense is currently ranked second best in the league allowing an average 261 yards a game, thanks to their second ranked pass defense that gives up an average 179 yards a game. Their rush defense is just as good ranked third best overall allowing an average 81 yards a game. DE Terrell Suggs leads the Ravens defense with eight sacks.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Pittsburgh.
- Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Ravens are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings.
- Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
- Ravens are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games.
- Ravens are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Ravens are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. AFC.
- Ravens are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 playoff road games.
- Ravens are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. AFC North.
AFC Championship Game Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens
When: Sun, Jan 18, 2009 6:30 PM ET
Line: SBGglobal.com
Pick: Ravens +6
Point-Spreads.com AFC Championship Game Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens
The Bottom Line: It’s harder for a team to beat another team three times in a season, the loser usually finds the way to win. Go Ravens! Get your AFC Championship Game Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens in now at SBGglobal.com and receive a 30% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit!
