With The First Pick
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Steelers vs Ravens: Game Pick – AFC North supremacy at stake

By Maurice Barksdale

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 27: C.J. Mosley
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 27: C.J. Mosley /
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The 2-1 Pittsburgh Steelers go on the road to take on the 2-1 Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North for week 4.  Here is the pick for Steelers vs Ravens.

In week 3 the Pittsburgh Steelers lost on the road to the Chicago Bears and the Baltimore Ravens got blown out in London by the Jacksonville Jaguars 44-7. It seemed that both teams got distracted by the league wide protest and allowed lesser teams to get the better of them.  That has to change in Steelers vs Ravens.

The distractions will continue into week 4, as the Steelers received heavy criticism for staying in the locker room during the national anthem, while left tackle Alejandro Villanueva came out alone and did not kneel.  Also, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger expressed regret for staying in the locker room.

It will be interesting to see how the Pittsburgh Steelers handle this.  As for the Ravens, they garnered controversy because some of their players knelt during the national anthem but stood during the playing of the British national anthem.

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So each team will need to overcome the controversy in a way they didn’t in week 1.  The Ravens must get their passing game going, as Joe Flacco had a terrible performance against the Jaguars.  The Ravens defense got lit up to the tune of 4 TD passes from Blake Bortles.

The Steelers defense gave up 222 yards rushing to the Chicago Bears, so they’ll need to improve on that considerably.  Because the Ravens will want to run the football to set up play action for Joe Flacco, who will need it.

This is one of the most heated rivalries in the NFL.  So there will be hard hitting and animosity on both sides.  But ultimately I think the Steelers will get the win on the road.  They have the advantage offensively and the Ravens are last in the NFL in offense.  Steelers win.

Next: Raiders vs Broncos: Game Pick – AFC West rivals rumble

Winner:   Steelers

Score prediction:       23-20  Steelers 

Points spread:      Steelers  -3

Over/under:  42.5 – Over

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