Perhaps the best NFL game this week happens Sunday night. The Pittsburgh Steelers head south to take on the Baltimore Ravens in a match-up predicted to be dominated by defense.

The Ravens and Steelers are tied for the AFC North lead with an 8-3 record. Both defenses have been outstanding. The Ravens have given up a measly 188 points and the Steelers 181.

If the Steelers win, they would own the tiebreaker – for now- due to the Ravens division loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2.

In the first meeting on Oct 3, the Ravens won 17-14 at Heinz Field, but that was without Ben Roethlisberger, who missed the first 4 games of the 2010 NFL season to do a league suspension.

But in the second meeting on Sunday, Big Ben is expected to play even though he has a sprained right foot he suffered in last week’s game against Buffalo.

In the first meeting, the Ravens were without safety Ed Reed, who has 4 interceptions and a forced fumble since returning from a hip injury in late October.

Offensively, the Ravens have scored 250 points, averaging 22.7 points per game. The Steelers have score 254 and are averaging 23.1 ppg.

The Ravens are 5-0 at home while the Steelers are 5-1 away. Both are 2-1 in their division and 6-2 in the AFC.

The Steelers offensive leaders are QB Ben Roethlisberger (137-220, 1825 yards, 12 TDs), running back Rashad Mendenhall (238 carries, 962 yards, 9 TDs) and wide receiver Mike Wallace (36 rec, 792 yds, 8 TDs).

The Ravens offense is lead by QB Joe Flacco (231-365, 2722 yds, 18 TDs), running back Ray Rice (204 carries, 815 yds, 3 TDs) and wide receiver Anquan Boldin (51 rec, 652 yds, 6 TDs).

PACKERS FALCONS: GAME DAY PARTICULARS
Visitors	Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Home	Baltimore Ravens (8-3)
When	Sunday Dec 6 08:20 pm EST
Where	M&T Stadium, Baltimore, MD
TV COVERAGE	NBC
WEATHER	42º/32º 10% Precip
Favorite	Ravens -3
Under/Over	40

STEELERS RAVENS TRENDS AGAINST THE SPREAD (ATS)

STEELERS RAVENS AVERAGES
Both teams are very evenly matched offensively and defensively. However, the Steelers show an advantage in defense against the rush (64 yds per game vs. 101)

Pittsburgh OFFENSE		Baltimore DEFENSE
Rush Yds/Gms	126.0	Rush Yds/Gms	101.7
Pass Yds/Gms	208.5	Pass Yds/Gms	205.6
Tot Yds/Gms	334.0	Tot Yds/Gms	307.4

Baltimore OFFENSE		Pittsburgh DEFENSE
Rush Yds/Gms	114.4	Rush Yds/Gms	64.0
Pass Yds/Gms	233.9	Pass Yds/Gms	240.5
Tot Yds/Gms	348.0	Tot Yds/Gms	304.5

STEELERS RAVENS INJURIES
The Baltimore Ravens Offensive left tackle Michael Oher has a sprained right knee but is expected to play and fullback Le’Ron McClain is doubtful after spraining his ankle last week.

Perhaps the bigger story regarding Baltimore’s injury report is on defense. Two of the Ravens safeties are questionable; Dawan Landry (concussion) and Tom Zbikowski (heel).

STEELERS RAVENS GAME PREDICTION
Both teams are evenly matched, have great defenses and better-than-average quarterbacks.
Expect Joe Flacco and Ray Lewis to lead the Ravens in a low scoring win.

RAVENS 21, STEELERS 17

Sources: espn.com New York Post, New York Daily News

Here is the NFL Week 12 Schedule for Sunday, November 28. Handicapping tips for each of he NFL matchups include the favorite, under/over and record against the spread (ATS).

1:00 PM GAMES

JAGUARS (6-4) At GIANTS (6-4)

Favorite: Giants (-9) Over/Under: 44.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Jaguars are 6-4 ATS

Jaguars are 2-2 ATS away

Jaguars are 3-4 ATS as the underdog

Jaguars are 2-2 ATS as an away underdog

Giants are 5-5 ATS

Giants are 2-3 ATS at home

Giants are 3-3 ATS as the favorite

Giants are 2-3 ATS as a home favorite

VIKINGS (3-7) At REDSKINS (5-5)

Favorite: Redskins (-2) Over/Under: 43

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Vikings are 2-8 ATS

Vikings are 0-5 ATS away

Vikings are 0-6 ATS as the underdog

Vikings are 0-5 ATS as an away underdog

Redskins are 5-3 ATS

Redskins are 2-1 ATS at home

Redskins are 0-1 ATS as the favorite

Redskins have not been a home favorite

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-3) At BUFFALO BILLS (2-8)

Favorite: Steelers (-6.5) Over/Under: 43

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Steelers are 6-4 ATS

Steelers are 4-3 ATS away

Steelers are 4-3 ATS as the favorite

Steelers are 2-1 ATS as an away favorite

Bills are 5-4 ATS

Bills are 1-3 ATS at home

Bills are 4-3 ATS as the underdog

Bills are 0-2 as a home underdog

TENNESSEE TITANS (5-5) At HOUSTON TEXANS (4-6)

Favorite: Texans (-6.5) Over/Under: 46

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Titans are 5-5 ATS

Titans are 3-2 ATS away

Titans are 2-2 ATS as the underdog

Titans are 2-2 ATS as an away underdog

Texans are 3-6 ATS

Texans are 1-4 ATS at home

Texans are 1-3 ATS as the favorite

Texans are 0-3 as a home favorite

CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-9) At CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-7)

Favorite: Browns (-10.5) Over/Under: 37.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Panthers are 2-8 ATS

Panthers are 1-3 ATS away

Panthers are 2-6 ATS as the underdog

Panthers are 1-3 ATS as an away underdog

Browns are 4-5 ATS

Browns are 2-3 ATS at home

Browns are 0-3 ATS as the favorite

Browns are 0-1 as a home favorite

GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-3) At ATLANTA FALCONS (8-2)

Favorite: Falcons (-2) Over/Under: 47.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Packers are 6-4 ATS

Packers are 3-2 ATS away

Packers are 1-0 ATS as the underdog

Packers are 1-0 ATS as an away underdog

Falcons are 6-4 ATS

Falcons are 3-2 ATS at home

Falcons are 5-3 ATS as the favorite

Falcons are 3-2 as a home favorite

Packers vs Falcons NFL Matchup Preview

4:05 PM GAMES

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-4) At SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-5)

Favorite: Chiefs (-1.5) Over/Under: 44.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Chiefs are 6-4 ATS

Chiefs are 2-3 ATS away

Chiefs are 2-3 ATS as the favorite

Chiefs are 0-2 ATS as an away favorite

Seahawks are 5-5 ATS

Seahawks are 3-1 ATS at home

Seahawks are 4-4 ATS as the underdog

Seahawks are 2-1 ATS as a home underdog

MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-5) At OAKLAND RAIDERS (5-5)

Favorite: Raiders (-3) Over/Under: 39.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Dolphins are 6-4 ATS

Dolphins are 4-1 ATS away

Dolphins are 3-1 ATS as the underdog

Dolphins are 2-1 ATS as an away underdog

Raiders are 5-4 ATS

Raiders are 3-2 ATS at home

Raiders are 1-1 ATS as the favorite

Raiders are 1-1 ATS as a home favorite

4:15 PM GAMES

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-3) At CHICAGO BEARS (7-3)

Favorite: Eagles (-3.5) Over/Under: 42

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Eagles are 5-5 ATS

Eagles are 3-2 ATS away

Eagles are 4-3 ATS as the favorite

Eagles are 2-1 ATS as an away favorite

Bears are 5-4 ATS

Bears are 2-3 ATS at home

Bears are 4-1 ATS as the underdog

Bears are 1-0 ATS as a home underdog

ST. LOUIS RAMS (4-6) At DENVER BRONCOS (3-7)

Favorite: Broncos (-4) Over/Under: 44.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Rams are 7-3 ATS

Rams are 3-1 ATS away

Rams are 6-3 ATS as the underdog

Rams are 3-1 ATS as an away underdog

Broncos are 3-7 ATS

Broncos are 2-3 ATS at home

Raiders are 1-1 ATS as the favorite

Raiders are 1-1 ATS as a home favorite

TAMPA BAY BUCS (7-3) At BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-3)

Favorite: Ravens (-7.5) Over/Under: 44.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Bucs are 6-3 ATS

Bucs are 5-0 ATS away

Bucs are 5-2 ATS as the underdog

Bucs are 5-0 ATS as an away underdog

Ravens are 5-5 ATS

Ravens are 2-2 ATS at home

Ravens are 3-3 ATS as the favorite

Ravens are 2-2 ATS as a home favorite

8:30 PM GAME

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-5) At INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-4)

Favorite: Colts (-3) Over/Under:51.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Chargers are 5-5 ATS

Chargers are 1-4 ATS away

Chargers have not been the underdog

Colts are 6-3 ATS

Colts are 3-1 ATS at home

Colts 4-3 ATS as the favorite

Colts are 3-1 ATS as a home favorite

In the NFL this week, 3 games were played on Thursday, November 25, the results:
New England 45 Detroit 24
New Orleans 30 Dallas 27
New York Jets 26 Cincinnati 10

sources: New York Post, espn.com, foxsports.com, thespread.com

The Baltimore Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts meet on Saturday in a 2010 AFC Divisional Playoff game. The Ravens advanced to this AFC Divisional game by beating the New England Patriots in their AFC Wild Card matchup last week. The Colts are the AFC South Division Champions, are the AFC number 1 seed and have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Colts are favored by 6.5 points and the under/over is 46.5 points.

The Colts had a chance at an undefeated season going into week 15 but the team decided to rest their starters in the second half against the Jets. The result was a Jets win and the end to the Colts run at 16-0. Colts fans were angry about the move but the Colts management stuck to their decision to rest the starters to give them the best chance at ascertaining their goal – a Super Bowl win. The Colts ended up 14-2 and haven’t played a meaningful game in over a month. So the Colts could be rusty coming into this Divisional playoff matchup with the Ravens.

The Ravens are coming off an impressive win against Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots. The Ravens caused Pats QB Tom Brady to throw for 3 interceptions and 1 fumble. RB Ray Rice had an 83-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage and the Ravens never looked back. The final score of that AFC Wild Card game was 33-14.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco has thrown ofr 21 TDs 12 INTs for a 63.1% completion percentage. Colts QB Payton Manning has thrown for 33 TDs 16 INTs and a completion percentage of 68.8.

The Ravens hold the rushing advantage over the Colts (who are rated last in the NFL in rushing). Former Rutger standout Ray Rice is averaging 5.3 yard per carry and has scored 7 TDs; he also leads the team in receptions with 78 for 702 yards and 1 TD.

But the Colts passing offense is absolutely devastating. The Colts WR Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark both have 100 receptions, 10 TDs and over 1000 receiving yards.

Although the Ravens have the momentum and the Colts may be rusty, the Colts passing offense will be too much for the Ravens defense. The Ravens will win but will not cover the spread.

Thenflthisweek.com Prediction

Colts 31 Ravens 28