Week 9 betting preview: Steelers remain 3-point underdogs vs. Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are a team teetering on the brink of collapse having lost three of their last four games following a 3-1 start and the Pittsburgh Steelers could push them closer to the edge with a win over their division rivals at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday. However, if the current spread is anything to go by, neither the betting public nor the bookmakers are especially convinced that will happen in Week 9.

An opening line of 3-points has remained consistent throughout the week despite the Ravens injury concerns along the offensive line and recent results and it is something of a surprise to note the line has not even moved by half a point. While many will point to a 3-point spread as being the value of home field advantage, for most sportsbooks these days that figure is closer to 2.5-points, a position we expect to see closer to kickoff. Baltimore’s final injury report of the week on Friday afternoon may yet have some impact on the spread if some key names are ruled out of the game.

There has been no change to an initial totals position of 47.5 points either, a line that is still available with most sportsbooks at the time of writing. If there has been any notable movement in the betting, it has been the shift in the moneyline and even that has been marginal. From an early offering of +115, it is perhaps a sign of the public’s interest to note that Pittsburgh has drifted slightly to a best price of +135. An opening offering of -135 for Baltimore has been replaced by prices as short as -155.

According to Oddsshark.com, Pittsburgh is 6-3 against the spread in their last nine road games and 4-3 ATS overall on the season. The total has gone over in seven of the Steelers last nine games and the under is 2-5 on the year. Pittsburgh is 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games versus Baltimore and the total has gone under in five of the Steelers last seven games against the Ravens.

Although James Conner scored twice in Week 8, it was Antonio Brown who grabbed the first touchdown, but we will be sticking with the young running back once again this Sunday after he came through for us in Weeks 5 and 6. He should available at a price of around 6/1 for the games first touchdown and around 3/1 for first team touchdown. A saver on JuJu Smith-Schuster at around 10/1 and 5/1 respectively could also be worth a look this week.