NFL Picks: Bet On The Pittsburgh Steelers And Baltimore Ravens: December 24th 2011
NFL Picks: December 24th 2011
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NFL Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers -12
As of print, Ben Roethlisberger is most-likely not going to see any action here. It doesn’t matter. At 10-4, the Steelers are tied with the Ravens in the AFC North. They have all the motivation in the world to win this one because Baltimore owns the tie-breaker. So Pitt needs to win out. Winning out can not just give Pittsburgh the Division, but possibly the best record in the AFC. The Steelers possess the 2nd ranked “D” in the NFL, allowing just 15.6 PPG. they are #1 against the pass (179.6 YPG) and #1 in total yards allowed (276.9). LB, James Harrison is due back from suspension. Without Big Ben at the helm, the offense will keep the ball on the ground against the Rams 32nd ranked defense against the run.
St. Louis gives up 153.4 YPG to the rush. Sam Bradford is shut down for the season, giving Kellen Clemens the start. The depleted OL of St. Louis has given up 49 sacks so far this season. The Pitt “D” will leave little to chance here. The Rams dropped 5 in a row SU, going 0-4-1 ATS, losing by an average of 14.0 PPG. After the Monday Night loss to San Francisco, Pittsburgh needs the win and needs to make a statement to the rest of the NFL here. The Rams are 1-8 ATS their L9 games played on the road, 3-14 ATS their L17 games played as a ‘dog of 10 1/2 or more points, and 5-15-1 ATS their L21 games played overall. The Steelers are 7-3 ATS their L10 games played at home, 9-2 ATS their L11 games played following an ATS loss, and 7-0 ATS their L7 following a SU loss. Take Pittsburgh. Thank you. -Joseph D’Amico
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NFL Pick: Baltimore Ravens -12
The Baltimore Ravens got extremely lucky last week. After losing to the San Diego Chargers Sunday night, Baltimore was able to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers lose to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. That loss for the Steelers kept the Ravens in first place in the AFC North. If the Ravens win their final two games, they not only win their division, but they also hold the No. 2 seed in the AFC. It’s safe to say that the Ravens are going to come back more hungry and motivated than ever Saturday against the Cleveland Browns after catching such a great break. They should be able to make easy work of the hapless Browns, which is something they have been making a habit of over the last few years.
Baltimore has won seven straight meetings with Cleveland. They have won six of those by duble-digits, and four by 14 points or more. That includes a 24-10 victory over the Browns on 12/04 in their first meeting of the season on the road. That game was actually a bigger blowout than the final score would indicate. The Ravens outgained the Browns 448-233 for the game, led by a career-high 204 rushing yards from Ray Rice. Cleveland is down to No. 2 quarterback Senaca Wallace, who is going to struggle mightily against a Baltimore stop unit that ranks No. 3 in total defense (287.9 yards/game). The Browns rank just 30th in the league against the run (145.4 yards/game), so expect another huge day from Rice as the Ravens take a big lead early and build on it.
Baltimore has been unstoppable at home this season. The Ravens are 7-0 SU & 4-2-1 ATS at home this year, scoring 28.4 points/game while allowing 15.0 points/game. They are outscoring their opponents by 13.4 points/game on home turf, and outgaining them 349-255 on average. The Browns are 11-29 ATS in their last 40 versus good rushing defenses – allowing <=3.5 rushing yards/carry. Baltimore is a perfect 7-0 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 400 or more total yards in their previous game. The Ravens are also a perfect 9-0 ATS in their last 9 after being outgained by opp by 100 or more total yards last game. Ray Lewis and company are going to come back hungry this week and they’ll shut down this Cleveland offense. Bet the Ravens Saturday. -Jack Jones
Get more NFL Picks for December 24th 2011 from our professional sports handicappers at Handicapperspicks.com. Don’t miss out on this year’s bowl predictions at Touthouse.com as well.

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San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
San Diego Chargers vs. San Francisco 49ers