The Steelers game against the Ravens has been postponed until Sunday afternoon. Here’s why the odds could shift back towards Baltimore.
Steelers fans were dealt some disheartening news on Wednesday afternoon. After preparing themselves for what was likely the most anticipated game of the season against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night, this game has now officially been moved to Sunday afternoon. While a temporary postponement seems better than pushing the game until the end of the season (or canceling it altogether), Pittsburgh lost their competitive edge in this contest.
It’s true that there are some advantages for the Steelers here. Joe Haden and JuJu Smith-Schuster now have more time to nurse back to full health before gameday. However, they may have been able to play through their minor injuries anyway. Still, there’s no doubt in my mind that postponing the game favored the Ravens.
While Baltimore played at home in Week 11, they lost a hard-fought game in overtime to the Tennesee Titans. In just four days’ time, they would have had to travel to Pittsburgh with a banged-up team and face the 10-0 Steelers at less than full strength. While the Ravens will still be without several players due to positive COVID-19 tests, they will have ample time to recover and prepare to face Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Steelers odds of winning could narrow
Oddsmakers had Pittsburgh as 4.5-point favorites to open the week, courtesy of The Action Network; however, that could change now. With the Ravens having much more time to recuperate and prepare for the Steelers, we could see this line narrow as we approach game day. In fact, it has already dropped to 4 points as of Wednesday evening, and it may not end there.
While the Steelers are still the better on paper and the healthier team overall, there’s no doubt that the Ravens have a lot to play for, and they know it. Baltimore has lost 3 of their last 4 contests, and dropping to 6-5 could be the nail in the coffin of their 2020 season. They know how critical this win will, and they can’t afford to fall two games back in the Wild Card race.
If this game were to be played on Thanksgiving night as scheduled, I think the Steelers had a chance to run away with it. Baltimore would have been ill-prepared and exhausted – being forced to travel to Pittsburgh just three days after their overtime loss. However, this could be a much closer contest now, and it’s possible that the line could narrow to 3 points by kickoff.
In the end, the Steelers have clearly been the better team in 2020, but it’s always difficult playing a heated division rival. Pittsburgh players are upset about the game being postponed and they have voiced it on social media. Let’s hope they take this added aggression to the field on Sunday and advance to 11-0.