Those who showed their support for the Pittsburgh Steelers by patting their bellies after their 26-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night may want to continue supporting them until the end of the season.
Sunday’s matchup in Baltimore showcases the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens as strikingly similar teams.
The 8-8 Ravens and 8-7-1 Steelers share a special bond, as they both rely on the unlikely upset by the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Indianapolis Colts to maintain their playoff aspirations. Together as a team, they fervently support this near-impossible outcome.
However, it is a significant request.
The Jacksonville Jaguars suffered a crushing 50-10 defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots. If they fail to overcome the highly favored Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis will secure a playoff spot, rendering the Steelers-Ravens matchup insignificant.
It is highly probable that both teams will face elimination from the playoffs following this game.
Should the miracle occur, Pittsburgh must secure a victory and hope for anything other than a tie between the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers.
The duration of top players’ performance in this game is contingent upon the events unfolding in the Colts-Jags affair.
The betting line is indicative of the potential scenario where Pittsburgh’s quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, may not participate in the entire game. Considering Pittsburgh’s previous victory over Baltimore with a score of 20-19, the appropriate line should have been Baltimore -2.5 or -3, rather than -5.
If Indianapolis is successfully defeating Jacksonville, one might observe Roethlisberger playing three quarters and then being substituted.
Pittsburgh Steelers Odds At WV Sportsbooks
Pittsburgh’s offensive star, Najee Harris, keeps thriving and has proven himself to be the most dependable player. Remarkably, he has yet to fumble the ball even once this year.
Harris showcased his best performance yet against the Browns, amassing an impressive 188 yards. The highlight of the game was his game-winning 37-yard touchdown sprint, securing the victory. Pittsburgh maintained a lead throughout the entire game, a rarity this season.
T.J. Watt, a standout on the Steelers’ defense, is on track to secure the NFL sacks title. Following an impressive display in his recent game, he is now only one sack shy of matching Michael Strahan’s record for most sacks in a single season.
Keep an eye out for Watt sack prop, as he is the clear frontrunner among West Virginia sportsbooks for defensive player of the year. He will undoubtedly put in a significant effort to secure at least one sack in this game.
Both the Steelers’ Chris Boswell and the Ravens’ Justin Tucker, known for their exceptional kicking skills, are required to stay on the field for the entirety of the game. Tucker, widely regarded as one of the greatest kickers in history, and Boswell, a reliable asset for the Steelers, bring immense value to their respective teams.
Boswell scored more than 6.5 points against Cleveland. Tucker is typically reliable from seven points onwards. While many coaches choose to take risks on fourth downs instead of attempting field goals, Tucker stands out among the league’s kickers with his traditional approach. The Ravens appreciate his old-school style and have no qualms about accumulating points in increments of three.
Pat Freiermuth has consistently proven to be a valuable receiver for the Steelers. However, during Monday night’s game, he was not utilized to his full potential due to Pittsburgh’s dominant running game.
Despite Diontae Johnson’s recent struggles with drops, he remains a scoring threat. However, the team’s most reliable third-down receiver is still ahead of him in terms of sure-handedness.
Last week, Chase Claypool received nine throws, however, he is currently facing difficulty in getting open for deep passes.
Week 17 Money In The Bank
It has been observed that numerous West Virginia sports bettors reaped rewards if they placed their bets correctly on the props that were mentioned here last week.
At DraftKings WV Sportsbook, Pittsburgh successfully scored 10 points first against Cleveland, which had a favorable odds of +125. Moreover, the Steelers further achieved the milestone of reaching 15 points first, granting Mountain State gamblers a more enticing +155 odds.
Both Baker Mayfield and Big Ben threw interceptions, with similar odds of returning to the game.
The largest lead held by any team was 13.5 points, resulting in a payout of -105 for the under.
Harris was responsible for overseeing the DraftKings proposition bet on whether Cleveland running back Nick Chubb would exceed 174.5 yards.
What Might Have Been
The Ravens had lofty expectations, while the Steelers had none. However, both teams find themselves in the depths of despair, missing the playoffs by a single game. Here’s what they will lament:
Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers were dealt a blow when their quarterback, Roethlisberger, tested positive for COVID-19, leading to a disappointing 10-10 tie against the Detroit Lions. Roethlisberger’s absence certainly affected the game, compounded by challenging weather conditions that hindered the Steelers’ offense. Regrettably, this tie has proven costly for the Steelers, as it counts as half a loss and has had negative repercussions for their season.
After winning four consecutive games, Pittsburgh reached a peak with a score of 5-3.
Baltimore
The season likely met its end due to two remarkably audacious decisions. The initial one occurred during a two-point conversion instead of aiming for a tie against Pittsburgh. Watt, with his relentless pressure, caused the rushed pass that narrowly missed receiver Marc Andrews.
The Ravens attempted a similar strategy but ended up losing to the Green Bay Packers.
In total, they suffered three losses, each by a narrow margin of one point. Their most recent four defeats have accumulated to a mere five points in total. These unfortunate outcomes have ultimately led them to the offseason instead of the postseason.
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