The Ravens are limping to the finish here with five straight losses, but they've also been extremely banged up facing and barely lost games against some top-tier offenses, which their opponent Sunday does not possess. The Steelers enter off a short week and a game in which Ben Roethlisberger seemed to let all his emotions out. History is behind Pittsburgh and Mike Tomlin as an underdog in this spot, but Baltimore is at home with a strong defensive front that should give Big Ben fits and slow down Najee Harris a bit.

Forget everything you believe about Baltimore, traditionally the bettor’s best friend. The Ravens somehow are yielding more than a field goal despite five straight-up losses in a row. Even though QB Ben Roethlisberger is staggering toward the finish line, he got some help when C Kendrick Green and WR Diontae Johnson were released from the COVID-19 list. Also freed was CB Joe Haden, who could bedevil Ravens backup QB Tyler Huntley. Although both teams are in the vying for the playoffs, the Steelers’ odds are superior, so they hold a motivational edge.

No. 1 wideout Diontae Johnson has been activated from the COVID list, which is great news for the Steelers, but left tackle Dan Moore is doubtful after injuring his ankle in Monday's emotional win over the Browns. It's a huge loss -- Big Ben just praised Moore as the team's "left tackle of the future." Pittsburgh also is missing its starting center. Baltimore's Tyus Bowser (7 sacks), Justin Houston (4.5 sacks) and Calais Campbell (1.5 sacks) should make Big Ben's last game miserable. The Ravens have lost five straight overall, four of those by one or two points, and three in a row to the hated Steelers. Look for an all-out Ravens' effort at home against a Steelers team on a short week.

Even though the Ravens have slim playoff hopes, they want to win this game badly. Baltimore has lost three straight to its biggest rival, including a 20-19 loss earlier this season in which the Ravens blew a fourth quarter lead. I think Baltimore is extra motivated to knock off the Steelers and send Ben Roethlisberger out a loser. Give me the Ravens.

Lamar Jackson isn't going to play but clearly oddsmakers built that into this number -- maybe it drops a point or two now that it's official. I expect this to be a run-heavy, short-passing frenzy. It's also supposed to rain in Charm City.