It’s time for the single best matchup in the NFL as the Baltimore Ravens will play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. Fans of hard-hitting, defensive-forward football will be tickled by this week’s tilt as the Ravens and Steelers meet for the first time this season.
Yet, despite Pittsburgh being the only remaining undefeated team left in the NFL, oddsmakers are still firmly in Baltimore’s corner. With Week 7 not even fully wrapped up yet, the Ravens enter Week 8 as 5.5-point favorites over the Steelers, according to BetMGM.
That point spread should come as quite a shock to both Baltimore and Pittsburgh fans. This matchup has often been very close, especially in the John Harbaugh era. Of the 27 games these two teams have played since Harbaugh took over control of the Ravens in 2008, 16 have had a final point differential of four or fewer points. Over the whole 27 games combined, the average margin of victory has been just 1.37 points, in Baltimore’s favor. It’s even odder when you consider the Steelers are the only undefeated team remaining in the NFL and the Ravens won’t have a full stadium to get the full home-field-advantage effect.
For those looking to make an early bet this week, taking Pittsburgh with the points seems like a wise investment. That’s not to say the Steelers will actually win, but the 5.5-point spread here is a little too good to not take advantage of before it undoubtedly gets trimmed down to within three points by game time.
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