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Our NFL betting writer brings you his best Ravens vs. Steelers predictions and picks for their NFL Week 14 showdown, which is live Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS.

A storied AFC North rivalry finally gets its first installment of the 2022 season. Still, all eyes will be on Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, who is expected to fill in for Lamar Jackson Sunday when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Ravens (8-4) are tied for the lead in the AFC North after squeaking out a 10-9 win over the Denver Broncos, but it’s time for Baltimore to be concerned, not content. Not only have the Ravens struggled to score or win convincingly in recent weeks, Lamar Jackson suffered a knee injury and was described by coach John Harbaugh as week to week. As of this writing, he hasn’t been ruled out for Sunday’s game.

Four of the Ravens’ last five games are against division opponents, starting with their first game of the year against the Steelers (5-7). Pittsburgh has won two straight and three of the last four, most recently putting away the Atlanta Falcons 19-16. Mike Tomlin never had a losing season in his first 15 years coaching the Steelers, and there’s plenty of time for him to keep that streak intact.

Putting aside Jackson’s injury, the Ravens’ offense has been sputtering even when he is on the field.

They’ve averaged just under 332 yards of total offense per game in the past four, struggled to beat the Carolina Panthers and blew another late lead in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Expectations have hardly matched reality for the Ravens this year. While they’re 8-4 straight-up, they are just 4-7-1 against the spread. The Steelers, on the other hand, have technically overachieved (6-5-1 ATS) after an ugly start to the season.

Then, we must factor in that Jackson is almost definitely going to miss this game, and probably more. Remember how last season ended for the Ravens: Jackson injured an ankle in December, missing the rest of the season, and backup Tyler Huntley failed to lead the team to a single victory.

Their season-ending six-game losing streak, for the record, began the week before Jackson’s injury — in Pittsburgh. Maybe it won’t be as bad for the Ravens this time around, but for one week, we don’t like their odds.

Pick: Steelers to cover -2.5 @ -110 with Caesars Sportsbook

The Steelers have tried a bit of everything in the run game this season, with 13 players taking at least one carry, including linebacker Marcus Allen, fullback Derek Watt and both quarterbacks who’ve started games.

But there’s no question that Najee Harris is the No. 1 back in Pittsburgh. The Steelers like to get him going in the early-game script, and he’s repaid them by scoring three of his four rushing TDs this season in the past three weeks.

Harris was the first touchdown scorer of the game just two weeks ago when Pittsburgh beat Indianapolis. He also scored the Steelers’ first touchdown (though not the game’s first) the week before that against Cincinnati.

Harris gets the bulk of the action for Pittsburgh in the red zone. Further, he remains an option in the passing game, and the Ravens have allowed the sixth-most receiving yards and seventh-most receptions to opposing running backs in the NFL.

Pick: Steelers RB Najee Harris to score the game’s first touchdown @ +480 with Caesars Sportsbook

Kenny Pickett threw eight interceptions over his first five NFL games. He’s responded by shaking off the rookie blues and going four straight games without a pick.

Don’t let that fact lull you into picking the under for this prop. He’s not going to remain interception-free forever.

The Ravens’ defense has collected 11 interceptions in 12 games, tied for eighth-most in the league. And while coordinators have changed, this unit has always known how to harass young quarterbacks with little NFL experience.

Look back to Week 3 for an example. The Ravens sacked Mac Jones three times and forced him to throw three picks in a road win over New England. All we’re looking for Sunday against Pickett is one.

Pick: Steelers QB Kenny Pickett to throw over 0.5 interceptions @ -108 at Caesars Sportsbook

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.