It’s time for the official betting preview of the
Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. The sportsbooks have
as the five-point favorite with a total of 34-34.5. Based on yards allowed per
game, these are statistically the league’s top two defenses.
Because of Hurricane Ike, the Ravens had an unscheduled
bye week and have played just two games, winning and covering both. This is
their first road game and their toughest foe.
The Steelers are 2-1 straight up and 1-2 versus the
number. This is their only home game in a five game stretch in which
four-of-five are on the highway. The won and covered their only home game so
far crushing
last two games have produced a total of 16 and 21 points combined.
The Steelers defense has carried them. According to Bob
Warner of Lines-Maker.com, they are
allowing just 2.8 yards per rush against teams normally allowing 3.8, 4.9 yards
per pass to 5.8 and 4.1 yards per play to 5.0.
There are several key injuries for tonight’s game. The
Steelers will be without their leading rusher Willie Parker, meaning rookie
first-rounder Rashard Mendenhall gets his first
career start. In the past four series meetings, no
running back has exceeded 42 yards rushing.
Two key players will start but could be less than 100
percent: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and Ravens RB Willis McGahee.
Out for
is key defender Samari Rolle.
They will start Corey Ivy or Frank Walker, two players who looked horrible in
the preseason according to Brian Gould of ScoresOddsPicks.com.
The Steelers rush defense has also been great in the
series, allowing just 81.8 yards rushing per game and 3.4 yards per carry in
the last five meetings at Heinz Field. The Steelers are a stunningly
spectacular 13-0 straight up on MNF since 1992.
meanwhile is trying to snap a six-game primetime losing streak.
If you are betting on this game, the biggest side and
total are detailed on the home page of OffshoreInsiders.com