Today’s Top NFL Picks and Predictions (How to Bet Steelers vs. Ravens in the NFL Wild Card)

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens have the third-best odds to win the Super Bowl in the NFL heading into their wild-card round matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

These teams split their regular-season matchups, but Baltimore easily won the last meeting in December. Now, the Ravens find themselves as heavy favorites by 9.5 points on Saturday night.

Jackson has had his fair share of learning moments in the playoffs, but bettors are betting big on Baltimore winning, and winning handily, in this matchup.

The Steelers, once 10-3, limped into the playoffs after losing their final four games of the regular season. The offense has really struggled lately for Pittsburgh, and veteran Russell Wilson has to play at a higher level for the Steelers to pull off an upset.

This gap has narrowed since the Ravens are double-digit favorites, and Zay Flowers’ knee injury, which will keep him out of this game, is likely one of the reasons.

If you are looking to bet on this game, you have come to the right place. The SI Betting team has made a ton of plays for this playoff matchup and I’ve selected some of the best, all in one place.

Let’s break down the picks for this AFC North rivalry matchup in the NFL Playoffs.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Baltimore Ravens -9.5 (-110) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers -Iain MacMillan

Before this week on their way to Super Bowl 59SI Betting’s NFL betting expert Iain MacMillan shared his best bet for this matchup and he’s scoring points with the AFC North champions:

This is shaping up to be the most lopsided game of the playoffs. The Steelers continue their seemingly annual tradition of making the playoffs and then getting eliminated in the first round. Pittsburgh finished the regular season ranked 23rd in net yards per play (-0.4), the worst mark among all postseason teams.

Their offense has been lifeless lately and now they face the team that I think is playing the best football in the league. Since Week 10, the Ravens ranked second in both EPA per play and opponent EPA per play. Their defensive issues early in the season have been resolved and they are now back to playing at the elite level they were in 2023.

In my opinion, the Ravens are the best team the AFC has to offer and they will prove it on Saturday night.

Rashod Bateman anytime TD (+145) -Iain MacMillan

MacMillan doesn’t just make game picks, as he has a few anytime touchdown scorers he’s betting on this week, including Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman:

With Zay Flowers gone from the Ravens, it’s time to address Rashod Bateman, who shined in Week 18 against the Browns, hitting five of his eight targets for 76 yards and a touchdown. He has nine touchdowns on the season and already scored once against the Steelers.

If you’re going to bet on a Ravens pass catcher finding the end zone, do it on Bateman.

Pat Freiermuth OVER 4.5 Receptions (+115) -Peter Dewey

Over the last two weeks, Russell Wilson has looked at his tight end a lot, and with George Pickens battling drops in Week 18, I expect that to continue in the playoffs.

Pat Freiermuth has 19 targets and 15 receptions in his last two games, catching at least seven passes in each matchup.

While he has only recorded five receptions in two matchups against Baltimore this season, the Steelers may be forced to throw the ball more on Saturday if they fall behind early, something the extension suggests could be a problem.

Baltimore allowed 93 receptions to tight ends in the regular season and the ninth-most receiving yards for that position in the NFL.

Jaylen Warren TD anytime (+360) -Iain MacMillan

If you’re looking for a Steelers player to bet on to find the end zone, MacMillan believes running back Jaylen Warren is a great value bet on Saturday night:

It’s a mystery to everyone who the Steelers are going to give the ball to more, Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren, but why not go for the more effective player who is also more likely to score?

He averages 0.3 more yards per carry than Harris and has proven to be a bigger threat as a receiver out of the backfield. It’s a great bet to score at +360.

Odds are updated periodically and are subject to change.

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