Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens Prediction & Best Bets (December 7th, 2025)
The battle for the AFC North division crown commences on Sunday, where the Baltimore Ravens will be -280 favorites to down the rival Pittsburgh Steelers at home.
Pittsburgh originally raced out to an impressive 4-1 start while an injury-ravaged Ravens team struggled (1-5), but both teams are now 6-6 and face off with the division on the line.
This game is crucial for both sides, especially with the Cincinnati Bengals also breathing down their necks. A loss here may signal an exit from the AFC playoff conversation, while a win would give the victor a leg up in the race for the AFC North title.
Not sure who to back? Let’s analyze the latest odds and key matchups as I hand out my top picks and a Steelers vs. Ravens prediction.
Game Info Snapshot
- Date & Location: Sunday, December 7th, 2025 | Kickoff at 1:00 pm ET (CBS) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD
- Team records entering the game:
- Steelers: 6-6
- Ravens: 6-6
- Odds (from DraftKings)
- Spread: Steelers +5.5 (-104) | Ravens -5.5 (-118)
- Moneyline: Steelers (+235) | Ravens (-290)
- Total: Over 43.5 (-105) | Under 43.5 (-115)
Pittsburgh comes in as clear underdogs on the road, as they have not been in good form, and Baltimore has been white hot after a rough start.
The game total is quite low, factoring in Pittsburgh’s dormant offense and a much improved Ravens defense.
Storylines to Watch
The main Steelers vs. Ravens storyline is the fact that this game is for sole possession of first place in the AFC North. It’s quite likely the winner of this game will go on to win the division, although the two sides will meet again one more time before the year is up.
Here’s a look at some other key Ravens vs. Steelers storylines to keep in mind:
- Rested Lamar: Lamar Jackson has not looked like himself in recent weeks, but he last played on Thursday and has had ample time to heal his body. Could we see the most refreshed and healthy version of Lamar that we’ve seen since earlier in the year?
- Pointing Fingers: Aaron Rodgers has been wrapped up in more negativity than positivity lately, as he’s publicly called out some of his teammates. Will that move backfire, or will it light a fire under his crew?
- Sulking Defense: Pittsburgh’s defense has tons of star power, but the results have been inconsistent. Can they rise to the challenge with the season arguably on the line, or will a week 14 loss to their rivals be the last straw in a disappointing season?
Team Profiles
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have been an interesting team, but arguably a fairly fraudulent one. They won a shootout with the Jets back in week one, while their offense carried the team en route to a 4-1 start.
A crazy 33-31 shootout loss to the Bengals in week six probably should have been the writing on the wall – and perhaps it was – as the Steelers have struggled to be consistent during a brutal 2-5 stretch after that hot start.
The Steelers don’t defend well, and their offense is like pulling teeth. However, they do stand out in some key areas:
- Finish the Job: Pittsburgh isn’t as balanced or productive as you’d like as a whole on offense, but they do a good job when they get inside the 20. Aaron Rodgers and co. know how to finish a series, converting in the red zone at a 65.7% rate – 6th best in the NFL.
- Pressure Up Front: The Steelers aren’t as nasty on the edge as they usually are, but T.J. Watt and co. can still bring the heat. They are in the middle of the pack (15th) with a 6.9% sack rate so far in 2025.
- Turnover Margin: Aaron Rodgers turns the ball over more than he has historically, but the Steelers are so good at taking the ball away (2nd) that it can negate their offensive struggles. The Steelers happen to own the league’s 5th-best turnover margin per game.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have endured a trying season, as they had a win wrapped up in week one against the Bills, but unraveled late in a loss. They bounced back with a blowout win over the Browns in week two, but proceeded to have major issues on defense during a 1-5 start.
An injury to star quarterback Lamar Jackson contributed to that rough stretch, but Baltimore’s defense calibrated, and Jackson eventually returned to the lineup. Baltimore has combined improved defense and Lamar’s return to go 5-1 in their last five games, and they figure to keep it rolling at home against Pittsburgh.
Here’s a quick look at where they’ve excelled in 2025:
- Ground Control: Lamar Jackson hasn’t been carrying much of the load with his legs lately, but this is still a team that likes to run and is quite good at it. Derrick Henry spearheads a Ravens offense that is third in yards per rush (5.0) and 4th in rushing yards per game (136.8).
- Splash Plays: In addition to a strong rushing attack, Baltimore still reserves the right to hurt you deep. Guys like Isaiah Likely, Mark Andrews, and Zay Flowers have delivered chunk plays throughout the year, helping Baltimore rank 8th in yards per pass (7.6).
- Bend, Don’t Break: Baltimore’s defense has given up production for much of the year, but they typically batten down the hatches when opposing offenses get close. They are only giving up a RZ score 54% of the time, which ranks 6th in the NFL.
Key Matchups & Angles
Check out the key Steelers vs. Ravens matchups:
- Steelers passing offense vs. Ravens passing defense: Pittsburgh weirdly loves to throw the ball, but they’re not that good at it. Baltimore ranks 31st in sack rate and 26th against the pass, though. This is actually a spot where the Steelers might be able to find success.
- Ravens rush offense vs. Steelers run defense: Baltimore is going to run all day if you let them. Pittsburgh prefers you to throw, but if they can’t force it, they struggle to the tune of 4.3 yards per carry allowed (18th). Derrick Henry could dominate in this matchup if Baltimore can play with a lead.
- Red-Zone Battle: Pittsburgh has been quite good at finishing scoring drives, while this Ravens defense doesn’t allow much scoring inside the 20. Something has to break, or the Steelers need to find a way to score before they enter the RZ.
Betting Trends & Odds Context
Take a look at the latest Steelers vs. Ravens odds, per FanDuel:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | +5.5 (-104) | +235 | Over 43.5 (-105) |
Ravens | -5.5 (-118) | -290 | Under 43.5 (-115) |
Take a look at some key betting trends for this showdown:
- Public Betting: The public loves Baltimore in this spot, as the Ravens are getting 83% of the bets and 80% of the money right now.
- Record History: This is a storied rivalry with these division rivals meeting 63 times already. Baltimore won both meetings last year with ease, while the Steelers won the four matchups before that.
- ATS Tidbits: Pittsburgh (5-7) has been weak against the spread, while they are 2-1 ATS in division games, 2-4 ATS as the underdog, and 1-4 ATS on the road. Baltimore (4-8) is even worse, as they are just 4-6 ATS as the favorite, 2-3 as the home favorite, and 1-2 ATS inside the AFC North.
Best Bets for Steelers vs. Ravens
Pick 1: Baltimore Ravens ATS -5.5 (-118) – 7/10 Confidence
Why We Like It
The Ravens have been the much more cohesive team lately and were a trendy Super Bowl pick before the season started. They got tripped up by the Bengals, but they’re at home and will be focused on bouncing back.
Risks/What to Watch
Pittsburgh has still been largely competitive in 2025 and has some surprising wins like a defeat of the Colts not too long ago. They’ve wilted in high-profile matchups lately, but they could always flip the script against a familiar foe.
Pick 2: Under 43.5 (-120) – 7/10 Confidence
Why We Like It
Pittsburgh has a ball-control offense that is not very explosive, while the Ravens like to run a good amount. Given Baltimore’s improved defense and the magnitude of this game, we could see a heightened effort on defense for both sides in a tight, low-scoring affair.
Risks/What to Watch
Baltimore had one of the best offenses in football before Lamar Jackson got hurt. The Steelers also give up over 24 points per game. If the damn breaks, the Ravens could run away with this one.
Pick 3: Prop Play – Lamar Jackson Anytime TD (+270) – 6/10 Confidence
Why We Like It
The extra time off should allow Jackson to get closer to 100%, which means he could be more effective on the ground. Pittsburgh is tied for the third most rushing scores allowed to QBs in 2025.
Risks/What to Watch
Jackson may not be himself fully yet, and the Steelers could go out of their way to contain him. Derrick Henry is also a TD machine (-160 to score), and he could steal the rushing opportunities inside the RZ.
As AFC North stakes rise, shifting odds lines reflect how bettors react to the Steelers vs. Ravens momentum swings—track updated football odds at our top football betting sites.
Final Verdict: Ravens Take Over the AFC North
My main Ravens vs. Steelers prediction is that Baltimore is going to win this game. The issue is their moneyline is pretty hefty at -280. That’s something you could go harder at individually or throw on your favorite parlay for the week, but it lacks high-end value.
You can obtain value by betting on the Ravens to cover the 5.5 spread. They’re the better team, Pittsburgh has been blown out twice in their last four games, and with so much on the line, I expect the Ravens to leave little doubt.
That said, the Steelers may still come to play and keep it close and low-scoring – at least initially. Historically, these battles have been kind of gross, so while I very much lean toward the Ravens, the overall scoring should be fairly limited.
Lastly, I love the value with Lamar finding the endzone with his legs. It’s a riskier Steelers vs. Ravens prop bet, but there is clear upside, and this is something Jackson has done regularly in his career.
Final Score Prediction: Ravens 20, Steelers 10
