NFL Week 2 Picks: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Thursday, 9/11/14, 8:25 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Baltimore -3
Current Betting Line: Baltimore -3
Opening Total: 43.5
Current Total: 44.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Baltimore Ravens have been incredible at home in the month of September

Pittsburgh opened up its season with a 30-27 victory over the Cleveland Browns as 5.5-point home favorites Sunday, while going OVER the betting total of 41.5. The Steelers were led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger offensively, as he had a career-best 278 yards in the first half and finished with 365, which can’t be ignored when making your Week 2 NFL betting picks. Nine of the last 10 regular-season games in this rivalry have been decided by three or fewer points. Pittsburgh is 5-6 SU and 6-4-1 ATS as underdogs the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 7-4 in that situation.

The Steelers scored 27 points in the first half and three in the second half against the Browns, but most of that was due to their no-huddle offense being curtailed in part by field position issues in the third and fourth quarters. Pittsburgh still came within three years of finishing with a 300-yard passer, a 100-yard rusher and two 100-yard receivers. Bell is a key player to watch in this matchup, as he totaled 166 yards and a touchdown on the ground with these two teams splitting a pair of meetings last year.

Baltimore will attempt to bounce back from a 23-16 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals as one-point home favorites Sunday, but it did win the statistical battle by 40 yards in that affair, which is important to consider when looking over the NFL betting odds. The Ravens have won seven of their last eight primetime television games at M&T Bank Stadium, including last year’s 22-20 thrill over the Steelers. Since 2008, Pittsburgh and Baltimore rank first and second respectively in the league in points allowed. Baltimore is 5-1 SU and 2-4 ATS as home favorites of three or fewer points the last two-plus seasons.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was happy to see tight end Dennis Pitta back on the field for the opener, as he was targeted a game-high 15 times—reeling in a career-best 10 receptions on the day. Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs is the main player to watch defensively, as his 16.5 sacks of Roethlisberger is the highest such number in the league.