Ravens vs. Steelers NFL Week 5 odds: Spread rising with Mitchell Trubisky expected to start for injured Kenny Pickett

The spread for Sunday's Baltimore at Pittsburgh game is on the rise toward the Ravens with Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett expected to be out due to a left knee injury suffered in this past Sunday's ugly 30-6 loss in Houston. Mitchell Trubisky should be under center. Baltimore was -2 on the lookahead lines and is now up to -5 at some books. The total will most likely dip below 40 once Pickett is officially ruled out.

Pickett was hurt while being sacked on a fourth-and-1 dropback from the Texans' 33-yard line with 1:16 remaining in the third quarter Sunday. The only QB selected in the first round of the 2022 draft, Pickett had completed 15 of 23 passes for 114 yards with one interception and a career-low 53.7 passer rating to that point. He initially needed help leaving the field and didn't return. Trubisky went 3-of-5 for 18 yards in two fourth-quarter drives in his place.

The NFL Network reported that while the Steelers are still awaiting results of the MRI on Pickett's knee, he is not believed to have suffered a season-ending injury and his ACL is not torn. There is concern about the MCL and meniscus in his left knee. It's somewhat ironic that this injury happened in Week 4 as in Week 4 a year ago, Pickett replaced Trubisky at halftime as the team's starting quarterback.

Some of the columnists who follow the Steelers were speculating that it might be time to bench Pickett this year regardless with how poorly he had played following a terrific preseason. The 25-year-old has completed 60.6% of his passes for 803 yards, four touchdowns and four picks for a rating of 76.3 that is 29th in the league.

Pittsburgh's offense has had just five drives that reached the red zone on Sunday, which resulted in only two TDs. In their two losses, the Steelers have been outscored 36-7 in the first half. Trubisky said this when asked can be done about the offense: "Show some more heart."

The former No. 2 overall pick is 31-24 as an NFL starter and was 2-3 last year with Pittsburgh. As a home underdog as he will be Sunday, Trubisky is 5-6 straight up and 5-3-3 against the spread (1-1 SU and 1-0-1 ATS with Steelers). As a career dog overall, Trubisky is 15-11-4 ATS. He might be missing top tight end Pat Freiermuth, who is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Get more out of your SportsLine subscription! 

• Picks: NFL | NBA | CFB | CBB
• DFS: Lineup Optimizer | Picks
• Early Edge: YouTube | Apple Podcasts
• Newsletters: SportsLine Daily | Fantasy

Qualifying SportsLine members receive a 30-day free trial of Paramount+ premium. Sync your account right here.