Depleted Ravens are double-digit underdogs vs. Steelers

Depleted by a coronavirus outbreak, the Ravens are 10-point underdogs against the Steelers ahead of their game Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh, according to Las Vegas sportsbooks.

The Ravens (6-4), who were four-point underdogs last Tuesday, will be missing several starters on offense, defense and special teams, including Lamar Jackson, the NFL’s reigning Most Valuable Player. Despite three postponements, the team also will have had just two walk-through practices before traveling to Pittsburgh (10-0) on Tuesday night.

With 21 active-roster or practice squad players on the reserve/COVID-19 list — designated for players who’ve tested positive or been deemed a “high-risk” close contact — the Ravens are double-digit underdogs for the first time since 2015.

[ After whirlwind week, Ravens set for strangest game in team history — on a Wednesday afternoon in Pittsburgh ]

They lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, 24-16, in Week 17 that season as 10-point road underdogs one week after stunning the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-17, as 11-point home underdogs. Starting in place of the injured Joe Flacco, quarterback Ryan Mallett went 28-for-41 for a career-high 274 yards and a touchdown, while the Ravens defense held Pittsburgh to 308 yards.

These Ravens, who have lost two straight and would be eliminated from AFC North title contention with a defeat, have been favored in 19 straight games, including the postseason. (The team entered its Week 9 game against the Indianapolis Colts as a one-point underdog in some books, but others had the Ravens favored.)

The over/under for Wednesday’s game is 41½ points.

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Tennessee Titans players run past Baltimore Ravens safety Chuck Clark to celebrate the touchdown by running back Derrick Henry during overtime in Baltimore Sun., Nov. 22, 2020 Tennessee upended Baltimore, 30-24. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)