NFL Week 14 Preview - Baltimore Ravens (7-5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (10-2)

Baltimore Ravens (7-5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (10-2) - Heinz Field
 
Blood rivals, the Ravens and Steelers, do battle in another AFC North smash-up derby in Pittsburgh on Sunday night. This rivalry for me is the most compelling in football, as when these sides go to war it’s often the most physical and bruising game of the season. The Steelers and Ravens have gone toe to toe over the past 15 years, with each side winning two Super Bowls and meeting in several huge divisional and playoff games. This year it’s the Steelers who are in control of the AFC North, having won their past 8 games to seemingly have a mortgage on the 1st or 2nd seed in the AFC at 10-2.

The Ravens, after a wobbly 3-5 start, are suddenly surging into the Wild Card picture, having won their past 4 games to currently occupy the 6th seed in the AFC with 6 rounds remaining. Baltimore are emerging from the pack, in an AFC light on contenders, as a potential challenger to both the Patriots and Steelers with their outstanding defence and experienced and hard nosed football team. When the sides met earlier this season in Baltimore it was the Steelers emerging dominant victors 26-9. 
 
Prediction - Pittsburgh Steelers 17 Baltimore Ravens 20
 
I'm going for an upset tomorrow as I believe the Ravens are catching the Steelers at the right time. The Steelers, despite being 10-2, have escaped with several narrow victories this year against poor sides. Even last week they needed a Big Ben miracle comeback to get over the struggling Bengals. Baltimore are playing balanced football right now and rarely get swept by the Steelers in a down year. I expect this to be one of the most intense games of the season. Traditionally, when these teams play, it’s extremely physical, tight and low scoring - so I see nothing changing tomorrow. Ravens to win it with a late field goal and stamp themselves as a serious team to watch over the next few weeks.