Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Wild Card Predictions, Picks and Odds – 01/11/25

It’s a 100% AFC North showdown in this NFL Wild Card round matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, taking place on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at M&T Bank Stadium.

Here is a look at our predictions, picks and odds for this wild card round between the Steelers and the Ravens.

Ravens vs Steelers odds via BetMGM

Spread: Steelers -10 | Ravens +10
Moneyline: Steelers +380 | Ravens -500
Over/Under: Over 43.5 | Under 43.5

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Game Details

• Date: Saturday, Jan. 11th

• Time: 4:30 pm ET

• Venue: M&T Bank Stadium

• Broadcast: Prime Video

Steelers vs Ravens Game Preview

The Ravens have solidified themselves as the kings of the AFC North. After a strong finish to the season, Baltimore managed to edge out the Steelers, who seemed to struggle down the stretch. While the Maryland franchise had a few head-scratching losses during the regular season—most notably against the Raiders and Browns—John Harbaugh’s team rebounded in impressive fashion.

They closed the season with four straight wins, showcasing an overwhelming dominance by outscoring their opponents 135-43 across those games.

Steelers: Struggling to Regain Momentum

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the end of the regular season painted a much grimmer picture. They were in contention for the top seed in the AFC for two-thirds of the season and remained in the divisional race until the final weeks. However, a disastrous finish with four consecutive losses cost them both opportunities. While those defeats came against strong opponents, the skid has raised concerns. Heading into the Wild Card round, the Steelers will need to quickly regain their confidence.

Ravens’ Ground Game vs. Steelers’ Defense

Baltimore’s strength lies in their ground game. The dynamic duo of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry is one of the most feared rushing attacks in the NFL. However, with Zay Flowers out for this game, the pressure on the Ravens’ ground game will only intensify.

Ravens rule out WR Zay Flowers (knee) for Wild Card game vs. Steelers on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/gXY7GtEIfd
— NFL (@NFL) January 9, 2025

Defensively, the Steelers have the tools to slow them down, led by the relentless T.J. Watt. The big question is whether their defense alone can carry them through this game.

Steelers’ Offense Faces Questions

On the other side, concerns linger over the Steelers’ offense and their ability to challenge Baltimore’s defense. Russell Wilson looked shaky toward the end of the season, committing numerous costly mistakes. Can he turn things around and deliver against a Ravens defense that has been in top form?

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens Prediction

The Ravens are clearly the favorites in this Wild Card matchup against the Steelers. The current momentum of both teams points toward a likely Baltimore victory on Saturday night.

Ravens’ Defense Poised to Capitalize

The Ravens’ defense could take advantage of Russell Wilson’s questionable decision-making to alleviate pressure on their offense. By forcing turnovers or creating short fields, Baltimore’s defense could set the tone for the game.

Ground Game Expected to Shine

As always, the Henry-Jackson duo is expected to work wonders in the ground game. However, in the passing game, the absence of Zay Flowers will likely be felt. It will be up to Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews to step up and elevate their performance to compensate for his absence.

Baltimore’s ability to execute on both sides of the ball makes them strong contenders to move past this Wild Card round.

BET 1 – Derrick Henry to rush more than 98.5 yards (-115)

BET 2 – Ravens +10 (-105)

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Key Stats

Baltimore Ravens:

Lamar Jackson (QB): First player to record 4,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards in a single season.
Derrick Henry (RB): Rushed for 162 yards in Week 16 against the Steelers.
Zay Flowers (WR): Out for the game.

Pittsburgh Steelers:

Russell Wilson (QB): Passed for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions this season.
Jaylen Warren (RB): Identified as a potential X-factor due to his dynamic and elusive running style.
Donte Jackson (CB): Set to return from a back injury for the Wild Card game.

Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Charles Taudin

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Global Editorial Chief of The Playoffs, I created The Free Agent, which became The Playoffs FR, in 2020 during the pandemic. A longtime fan of the four major American sports, I now oversee the editorial strategy and social media for all versions of The Playoffs. I still occasionally write about sports I’m particularly passionate about, such as the NFL or MLB. If there’s one thing you should remember: Eli Manning is the true GOAT for beating Tom Brady twice.