Oct 27, 2012 4 min read

It just so happened that the Baltimore Ravens’ game last Sunday against the Houston Texans was on at 1 p.m. while the Steelers were sitting around their hotel rooms in Cincinnati. You can bet that they liked what they saw in Houston’s 43-13 demolishing of the Ravens. That game, coupled with the Steelers’ win later that evening against the Bengals, showed that the AFC North race is wide open. Until last Sunday, the Steelers were still looking for their first road win of the season. They not only got that, but a much-needed AFC North victory as well. The Steelers’ road struggles – an 0-3 start – had been well-documented. But with half of their road schedule now behind them, the Steelers can focus on taking care of business at home, where they have won nine of their last 10 games, dating to last season. If, for the sake of argument, the Steelers can match last season’s 7-1 mark at home and find a way to split their final four road games – at the Giants, Ravens, Browns and Cowboys – they will finish with a 10-6 record. If they go 8-0 at home, 11 wins is a possibility. Either total could win the AFC North. Cleveland is one of the worst teams in the NFL. Cinicinnati, as it showed last week, is struggling. And Baltimore has road issues of its own. The Ravens are just 1-2 on the road this season, winning a 9-6 snoozer at Kansas City in Week 5. Baltimore’s defensive woes have been well-documented. Once its foundation, Baltimore’s defense is allowing 400 yards per game this season, good for 26th in the NFL. Add to that quarterback Joe Flacco’s issues on the road – where he’s completing just 50 percent of his passes and has a quarterback rating of 55.4 – and you have to wonder how many road wins the Ravens will be able to muster. Considering the Ravens still have five road games remaining – at Cleveland today, to go along with ones at Pittsburgh, San Diego, Washington and Cincinnati – it’s possible the Ravens could match the Steelers with just two or three road wins. Because of that, today’s game between the Steelers and Redskins at Heinz Field is one Pittsburgh has to have. The race to win the AFC north is going to be a tight one and the Steelers-Ravens matchups in Week 11 and 13 are likely going to go a long way toward deciding it. The Steelers are a better all-around team than the Redskins and are 5-point favorites to win today. Washington has a potent offense, but atrocious defense. The Steelers, meanwhile, have given up 104 points in their past 10 home games. Washington might have some success with dynamic quarterback Robert Griffin III and the NFL’s top rushing attack, but not enough to beat the Steelers at home. Take Pittsburgh, 31-17

Chicago’s defense is coming off a shutout of an explosive Detroit offense. Take Chicago, 27-13

Second concsecutive road game for Seattle after losing at San Francisco last week. Take Detroit, 24-20

No Maurice Jones-Drew for the Jaguars, who wouldn’t have had a chance if he did play. Take Green Bay, 38-7

Cowboys won in Week 1 at New York, then celebrated like they had won the Super Bowl. Take the Giants, 34-27

God had better save the Queen because he’s not going to save the Rams here. Take New England, 31-16

The Eagles are 13-0 under Andy Reid coming out of the bye. Take Philadelphia, 27-24

Remember when the Cardinals were unbeaten? That was three straight losses ago. Take San Francisco, 24-13

If the Saints can give up 400 yards passing to Josh Freeman, they can do so to Peyton Manning. Take the Saints to cover in a 38-35 shootout

It’s hard to trust the Chargers on the road, even at Cleveland. Take Cleveland, 24-23

Indianapolis is winless on the road since 2010. Take Tennessee, 27-20

Dolphins are coming off a bye, but I’m not buying their 3-3 start. Take the Jets, 20-16

Kansas City has failed to cover in 10 consecutive AFC West games when favored. Take Oakland, 17-13 Last Week: 7-4 ATS; 11-1 Straight up Overall: 39-53-5 ATS; 57-42 Straight up F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.