Steelers vs. Ravens Predictions, Picks & Odds: NFL Wild Card Saturday
Saturday of NFL Wild Card Weekend wraps up in arguably the best way possible - with a classic AFC North rivalry. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens will kick off against one another for the third time this season, and we’ve broken down our Steelers vs. Ravens predictions for the matchup.
That means a best bet from our Steelers vs. Ravens picks, as well as a new, guaranteed $200 FanDuel Sportsbook sign up bonus for you!
Steelers vs. Ravens Predictions For The Wild Card Saturday, 1/11
All eyes will be on Charm City come 8 PM ET Saturday night where the Ravens will look to extend the Steelers four-game losing streak by beating them for the second time in three weeks. The Steelers vs. Ravens odds would suggest that they have no issues in doing so, but it’s far from a guarantee.
With the point spread having reached double digits, we’d be inclined to take the Pittsburgh side of the matchup, as not only has head coach Mike Tomlin been fantastic as an underdog, but rivalry games against Baltimore have almost always been close.
While that wasn’t the case on the Sunday before Christmas, they outright upset Baltimore in their first meeting this season. So, we’d recommend taking the points, but as for the best bet from our Steelers vs. Ravens predictions, we’re going to avoid the standard markets altogether.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Snapping The Streak
Before we get into the prop that we love for this matchup, let’s get into each team first. As mentioned, Pittsburgh ended their regular season by losing four straight games. That makes them just the third team in NFL history to enter the playoffs on a streak of four or more losses.
It was expected by many that they would struggle down the stretch, as all six divisional games fell within their final eight games of the season. The other two contests were against the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, both of which were losses. It’s not all doom and gloom for the Steelers though - they’re 3-1 against the Ravens in the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar’s Third MVP?
Despite still being among the class of young QBs in the NFL, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has already won the MVP award twice, including just last season and one that was unanimous. Since the NFL regular season finale, arguably the biggest debate is whether or not he should win his third.
According to the betting markets, he’s going to lose it to Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen looking to win his first. Based on pure stats, Lamar’s numbers are even better than his MVP-season last year, so it’s still a possibility. While fans and analysts are debating about that, Lamar would sure love to win his first Lombardi Trophy as well.
How To Watch NFL Wild Card Saturday 2025
As we get into the latest lines and the best bet from our Steelers vs. Ravens predictions, we also want to share how to watch the Steelers vs. Ravens Wild Card game:
- Where: M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD
- When: 8 PM ET on Saturday, 1/11
- Watch on TV: WMAR ABC in Baltimore (NO NATIONAL BROADCAST!)
- Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video
Steelers vs. Ravens Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
As promised, we’ve got the latest Steelers vs. Ravens odds at FanDuel Sportsbook for you below:
- Point Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers +9.5 (-105) vs. Baltimore Ravens -9.5 (-115)
- Money Line: Pittsburgh Steelers (+440) vs. Baltimore Ravens (-590)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 43.5 (-112) vs. Under 43.5 (-108)
Steelers vs. Ravens Best Bet: Lamar Jackson Over 8.5 Carries (-120 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
We mentioned that Pittsburgh is 3-1 against Baltimore in their postseason history, and it’s also worth noting that the over/under is 4-0 in those meetings as well. It’s just as important to share that playoff favorites of nine points or more are an incredible 13-3 against the spread in league Wild Card history!
So, while the Steelers are great as underdogs against the Ravens, that is also a factor in us avoiding the point spread. If we are to see the over trend continue, then we expect Lamar to also continue his MVP-caliber season. That’s why the focus of our Steelers vs. Ravens predictions is for the Baltimore QB to show off his dynamic running ability.
Make no mistake - we’re well aware that Ravens RB Derrick Henry is an absolute freak. However, that also forces the defense to focus on him. While Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley has stolen the talk show headlines, Henry quietly became the only RB in NFL history to rush for over 1,900 yards in multiple seasons.
While Pittsburgh is forced to focus on the King, they’ll also be getting torched by the first QB in league history to throw for over 4,000 yards and rush for over 800 yards. Lamar has loved scrambling against the Steelers as well, including nine carries when they met just before Christmas.
The QB also had nine carries in the regular season finale last weekend to help Baltimore steal the AFC North title from Pittsburgh. With all the above in mind, the best bet from our Steelers vs. Ravens predictions is Lamar Jackson over 8.5 carries (-120 at FanDuel Sportsbook).
Steelers vs. Ravens Injury Report & Latest News
Adding to the reasons as to why we love the best bet from our Steelers vs. Ravens picks is the fact that one of the biggest injury news stories for the NFL playoffs is that of Baltimore WR Zay Flowers.
He’s hopeful to fight through his knee issue, but the team doesn’t sound the most optimistic. You can monitor that, any updates for Steelers CB Joey Porter and more with the Fantasy Alarm NFL injury report.
How To Bet On Steelers vs. Ravens at FanDuel Sportsbook & Claim Your $200 Bonus
We also promised a guaranteed $200 FanDuel bonus to go along with our Steelers vs. Ravens predictions, and here’s how to easily claim yours ahead of kickoff:
- Sign up here for a new FanDuel account
- Make an initial deposit of $10 or more
- Wager at least $5 on any available market
- Receive $200 in bonus bets guaranteed
As you can see, that $5+ bet doesn’t even need to win, and you won’t even need a FanDuel promo code! That’s so long as you create your new account using this article.
Player News
The Athletic’s Zac Jackson suggested Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel will “potentially” compete for a roster spot in training camp.
The Browns’ Week 1 starting job will come down to Kenny Pickett versus Joe Flacco. Several Cleveland beat writers have said Flacco, who is familiar with Kevin Stefanski’s offense and succeeded with the Browns during a short stint in 2023, is the odds-on favorite to land the starting gig. That could leave Gabriel and Sanders to fight for the team’s QB3 spot. Jackson didn’t dismiss the possibility that Pickett or Flacco could get the boot ahead of Week 1. “Gabriel got some starter snaps during the spring, but I’d be stunned if either rookie can actually win the job in camp,” Jackson said, adding that one of the rookie QBs could see late-season playing time if 2025 is yet another lost season for Cleveland. “Nobody knows what the circumstances might be in November and December, and the Browns need to know who and what they need to prioritize next March and April at the game’s most important position.”
Kirk Cousins said he felt “a little bit misled” by the Falcons after they took QB Michael Penix in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Cousins made the remarks on the first episode of this season’s “Quarterback” on Netflix. The Falcons signed Cousins — coming off an Achilles tear and entering his age-36 season — to a contract worth more than $100 million just weeks before using the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft on Penix. Cousins said he would have likely stayed with the Vikings if he had known the Falcons would use major draft capital on a quarterback. “Certainly, if I had the information around free agency, it certainly would’ve affected my decision,” Cousins said. “I had no reason to leave Minnesota with how much we loved it there if both teams are going to be drafting a quarterback high. But I’ve also learned in 12 years in this league that you’re not entitled to anything. It’s all about being able to earn your spot and prove yourself.” Cousins attended Atlanta’s mandatory minicamp in early June and is expected to be at training camp in July. Penix has been named the team’s starter. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Cousins dealt to a QB-needy team in the next few weeks if the Falcons are willing to eat a chunk of his bloated contract.
Saints TE Foster Moreau said the QB1 role is “anyone’s job for the taking.”
It’s possible Moreau is just trying to speak positively of a quarterback room that could be in flux for much of the 2025 season, but the veteran tight end said neither Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler did much to separate themselves from one another during offseason programs. Shough was selected at No. 40 overall by the Saints in this year’s draft, and will almost certainly get a chance to start at some point in the season, but Rattler could also get a look after throwing for 1,317-4-5 in seven games as a rookie. Rattler only completed 57 percent of his passes last season, and doesn’t have much promise as a fifth-round pick, but there may be room for him to see some action in what might be the worst QB room in the league this season. Regardless, this competition will one to watch throughout the offseason as first-year head coach Kellen Moore hopes to find a reliable option come Week 1.
Free agent RB Nyheim Hines said he is hoping to sign with a team before training camp.
Hines suffered a torn ACL during a jet-ski accident in 2023 and hasn’t played an NFL game since. The running back/return man said he believes his knee is now fully recovered and is hoping he can join a team before the start of training camp. Hines caught 30 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown in 2022 while splitting time with the Colts and Bills, and also returned 19 kicks for 554 yards and two scores. At 28 years old, there should be plenty of teams interested in giving him a look due to his special teams prowess and abilities in the passing game, but he’ll be far from a lock to make a roster wherever he lands.
Speaking on the Giants Huddle podcast, TE Theo Johnson said he is healthy after undergoing foot surgery last season.
Johnson caught 29 passes for 331 yards and one touchdown last season, but saw his rookie campaign come to an end due to a foot injury. Now healthy and ready to get back to work, the second-year tight end is hopeful he can continue where he left off before his injury, when he went for 26-293-1 over an eight-game stretch. It’s far from elite production, but Johnson posted an impressive 9.93 RAS during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine and averaged a solid 12.2 YPR during his four years at Penn State. He won’t be on the fantasy radar to start the season, but Johnson could have some upside if he emerges as a primary receiving threat this season.
The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain says Ben Johnson “seemed confident” that Luther Burden (soft tissue) would be ready at the start of training camp.
Burden has been sidelined for most of the offseason while dealing with an undisclosed injury. The rookie second-rounder also remains unsigned. While it’s been a slow start to Burden’s pro career, a return by training camp should give him plenty of time to get up to speed before the start of the season. Even when Burden acclimates himself to the offense, he’ll likely slot in as the team’s No. 3 receiver with Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore expected to serve as the primary options in two receiver sets. Burden makes for an intriguing late-round pick in deeper leagues, but is unlikely to enter the season with much fantasy upside.