Nov 5, 2016 4 min read

One of things that makes a good rivalry is it doesn’t matter if one team is good and the other is bad in a given year, the games are typically hard-fought and close.

You’ve heard the old cliché, the records and venue don’t matter. When it comes to the Steelers and Ravens, that really is the case.

Baltimore was terrible last season, 5-11 bad. It was the worst record the Ravens had under head coach John Harbaugh.

But two of those wins came against the Steelers, who were a fumble away from advancing to the AFC championship game.

That’s what rivalries will do.

Was there some good fortune involved? Certainly in the first meeting, a 23-20 overtime win at Pittsburgh in which then-Steelers placekicker Josh Scobee missed field goals from 49 and 41 yards in the final 2:29 that would have put the Steelers ahead 23-17.

That does not explain, however, the Steelers’ 20-17 loss at Baltimore in Week 16 with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. Mike Vick started the previous game with Roethlisberger injured.

Ryan Mallett, who had been signed just two weeks before, led the Ravens to the win in Baltimore, besting Roethlisberger and costing the Steelers the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. This after the Ravens had knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs in Pittsburgh to end the 2014 season.

That’s why, despite some ill feelings for the Cincinnati Bengals, there’s still a strong dislike for the Ravens in Pittsburgh’s locker room.

The Bengals are a distraction. The Ravens are the main event.

The Steelers talked this week about matching Baltimore’s intensity and how they owe the Ravens for what has happened the past two seasons. Baltimore has won four of the last five meetings.

Not only are the Steelers due for a win over the Ravens, they’re the better team.

Baltimore’s defense is not as good as in years past, having allowed eight pass plays of 40 or more yards and 49 of 20 or more. By comparison, the Steelers have given up a league-best two 40-yard plays and 31 20-yard passes.

The Ravens have scored only 10 touchdowns in seven games as quarterback Joe Flacco looks unsteady in the pocket after tearing his ACL last season.

The Steelers are getting two points and that seems like a gift against a team thats has lost four in a row and whose wins have come against Buffalo, Cleveland and Jacksonville – teams with a combined 6-17 record.

Take the Steelers to win, 24-17

The Browns have come close to getting that first win. It won’t come in this game.

Take Dallas, 28-17

This is a long trip for the struggling Panthers.

Take Los Angeles, 24-21

The Raiders are 1-2 at home, having lost to Atlanta and Kansas City. Denver’s defense is better than those teams, but will be without star cornerback Aquib Talib.

Take Oakland, 23-21

EThe agles lost in OT last week. We’ll go against that as the Eagles make another road trip.

Take the Giants, 24-20

The Jaguars fired their offensive coordinator and are in turmoil. The Chiefs will be without quarterback Alex Smith and running back Spencer Ware.

Take Jacksonville to cover in a 27-20 loss

Running back LeSean McCoy is expected back but that won’t make up for perhaps the league’s worst wide receivers group.

Take Seattle, 24-10

The Vikings’ offense is so bad offensive coordinator Norv Turner resigned rather than watch it any longer.

Take Detroit to cover in a 20-17 loss

Jay Ajayi has rushed for at least 200 yards in each of the last two home games. That won’t happen against the Jets.

Take Miami, 24-17

Too bad the 49ers aren’t on Cleveland’s schedule. That would be a win for the Browns.

Take New Orleans, 27-17

The Packers, even banged up, are better than the struggling Colts.

Take Green Bay, 31-23

The Chargers should have enough offense to outscore the run-heavy Titans.

Take San Diego, 26-20

Last Week: 7-4-1 ATS; 9-2-1 Straight up

Overall: 43-61-4 ATS; 59-50-2 Straight up

Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.