Despite their struggles in the first three weeks of the regular season, VegasInsider.com is backing the Ravens as 3-point favourites against the Steelers, with the game total at 44.
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For most of the night, it appeared Pittsburgh would survive with Roethlisberger relegated to a sweatsuit after spraining his left knee last week against St. Louis.
A week after torching the Cincinnati Bengals, ageless receiver Steve Smith Sr.is certain to have the full attention of the Steelers secondary since he is the only viable target the Ravens have at the moment.
The stakes definitely different in this one as the Steelers could all but end the Ravens season in the first month of the 2015 campaign – and Vick could be the hero for the first time in a long time. Antonio Brown spearheaded the receivers with 11 receptions in 108 yards; while Le’Veon Bell contributed one touchdown in 19 attempts and 62 rushed yards as well as 70 yards in seven catches. The Steelers defense will continue to dominant the run, but will give up yards through the air. That put the Ravens three games out of the AFC North lead through three weeks. The Steelers lose precious days of practice and game planning because the showdown is on Thursday night instead of 2 1/2 days later on Sunday afternoon. They very well could win this game. Baltimore hasn’t been great against the pass this season, ranking 29 in the league allowing an average of 291 passing yards per game, but Vick has a few rust he has to shake off and the Ravens pass rush will be waiting to strike.
Vick hopes to exploit Baltimore’s defensive frailty if he is handed a starting role by the Steelers. It will take adjustments on the team and Vick.
The Steelers are set to bring in Vick to replace injured quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the visit of the Ravens to Heinz Field in the early hours of Friday, live on Sky Sports. Giving him too much attention, should he get hot, would open up space for Justin Forsett and the rest of the Raven’s stable of running backs to run wild. Even though they got the win, the negatives might be outweighing the positives this time around. When last seen, Vick was flaming out as Geno Smith’s backup a year ago with the New York Jets and admitting he didn’t prepare enough for games. All signs point to a Steelers loss, but I’m going with the cover.
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It’ll be a close game, but with the points and home field, Pittsburgh looks like the play as a 3-point dog. Joe Flacco has to start protecting the football more as he has four touchdowns and four interceptions.
