The Steelers have everything on the line as they prepare to face the Ravens at home on Sunday night in what Mike Tomlin has affectionately dubbed “AFC North Championship Week.” While we’d understand if no one feels the need to ratchet up the excitement of this game, we’ve still pinpointed three bets that we think will pay off for any takers.
AP Photo / Stephanie Scarbrough
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a tough game against the Ravens.
Check out this list of the top sportsbooks online right now, claim your favorite welcome offer and make your picks. Here are our favorite bets for the Steelers’ Week 18 matchup against the Ravens:
Steelers +2.5 1st Half Point Spread (-105 on BetMGM)
Did you know that the Steelers have not trailed at halftime at home yet this season? We’ll be using one hand to knock on wood and the other to bet on the Steelers to cover a 2.5-point first-half spread against the Ravens on Sunday night.
Pittsburgh didn’t trail at the half when they lost 26-7 to the Bills in Week 13. They didn’t trail against the Seahawks in Week 2 or against the Packers in Week 8 despite going on to lose both games by multiple scores. This is a good first-half team, regardless of what happens in the second half.
And on Sunday, you can bet (literally) that Pittsburgh will come out with plenty of energy in an attempt to not only win the NFC North, but to extend Aaron Rodgers’ career. The price on this bet is similar across sportsbooks, but the best juice we found was -105 at BetMGM.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling Over 2.5 Receptions (+117 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
In their first game without DK Metcalf this season, the Steelers attempted to replace him with the only other 6’4” wideout on their roster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was targeted a game-high nine times by QB Aaron Rodgers. Of course, three of those targets came on three very stubborn play calls to end the game. But for MVS to get nine targets only to have his total receptions set at 2.5 the following week feels like a bet worth taking.
There’s another clear reason to like the over on MVS’ receptions total on Sunday: the absence of Darnell Washington. Even if Calvin Austin III is able to suit up, Valdes-Scantling is the tallest wideout by about two feet. Rodgers can target Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth in one-on-one matchups, but neither tight end has the ability to go vertical that makes MVS a solid target.
This bet even comes with plus money on most sportsbooks, maxing out at +117 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Derrick Henry Over 18.5 Rush Attempts (-118 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
Anyone who watched the Ravens run all over the Packers last Saturday knows what Baltimore’s game plan should be in Pittsburgh on Sunday. Every NFL talking head said as much throughout this week, too: If the Ravens want to win, they should give Derrick Henry the football 30 times. Henry toted the rock a season-high 36 times last week and has an extra day to rest up from all that action. After King Henry tallied 25 carries in his first matchup against the Steelers, it’s surprising to see a sportsbook offer his total carries at 18.5 this week.
Not every football betting app has Henry’s total this low, so we’d recommend jumping on Henry to go over 18.5 at FanDuel Sportsbook, where the juice is -118 on the pick.
Parlay These Bets for +900 Odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
Unfortunately, no sportsbooks are offering these three picks in a parlay as-is. The best parlay option we found was on DraftKings Sportsbook, where you’ll need to bet Henry’s rushing attempts total at 19.5 instead of 18.5. Pair that bet with MVS receptions and the Steelers +2.5 in the first half and you’ll get +900 odds, a huge number that doesn’t require you to bet much in order to get a decent return.
