Betting Picks

Ravens at Steelers: SNF NFL Week 4 Betting Preview and Pick

AFC North rivals Baltimore and Pittsburgh square off in the Steel City on Sunday night in Week 4 of the NFL season. The home side is a 3-point favorite and our pick against the spread (although that’s an awful number). The total for this SNF NFL Week 4 betting matchup is 51.

Ravens-Steelers is probably the most physical rivalry in the NFL, built on the backs of guys like Ray Lewis and Troy Polamalu, among others. They are usually lower-scoring games decided by a touchdown or fewer. The Steelers have won the past three in the series, with the one in Pittsburgh last year decided by one point in a rare shootout.

Why Pittsburgh will cover the SNF NFL Week 4 betting spread

Had the Steelers lost Monday night at Tampa, their season likely would have been already over at 0-2-1 and surrounded by drama involving star running back Le’Veon Bell and receiver Antonio Brown. Bell remains out as he refuses to sign his franchise tag, and now word is the Steelers are fed up with the All-Pro, ready to trade him and move on with young James Conner.

Pittsburgh’s defense was still an issue Monday in the 30-27 win, allowing 455 yards, but Ben Roethlisberger stepped up like a leader and future Hall of Famer should in throwing for 353 yards and three scores. Brown caught one of those, and Conner had 95 yards from scrimmage. This team is going to score points with or without Bell, but the defense has to improve for any realistic playoff (much less Super Bowl) hopes.

Monday was Pittsburgh’s 13th straight win at night.

Baltimore betting notes for Sunday

The Ravens do have the advantage of an extra day of rest here, although Pittsburgh playing Monday night is somewhat lessened by the fact this game is Sunday night and not a 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Baltimore has dominated in two home wins this year, outscoring opponents a combined 74-17. However, the Ravens’ lone road game was a 34-23 loss at another AFC North team, the Cincinnati Bengals.

This will be the final game of Ravens top cornerback Jimmy Smith’s four-game suspension. He will be missed against Brown and Big Ben. Brown had 247 yards receiving in the two games last year against Baltimore, but no TDs. The Ravens won’t miss Bell, as he had five TDs combined in the two meetings.

Will Baltimore have top linebacker C.J. Mosley back? He missed the Week 3 win over Denver with a knee injury.

Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore line movement

With this sitting on the push number of 3, any movement for this SNF NFL Week 4 betting line will be potentially important. Some NFL odds have it at Steelers -3.5. The total has stayed constant.

Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore matchup trends

• The Steelers haven’t lost in their past 11 against AFC North opponents (one tie – Week 1 vs. Browns).
• The Ravens have covered just one of their previous six games in Week 4.
• The Ravens have won just nine of their last 33 games straight up on the road at Pittsburgh.