Week 14 of NFL schedule features key battles morning, noon and night

Baltimore Ravens (7-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-2)

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Line: Steelers by 5 (43.5)

Facts: Baltimore has won six of the past eight against Pittsburgh, but not last year at Heinz Field when the Steelers won 31-27 on WR Antonio Brown’s late reach over the goal line with 9 seconds left... In their Week 4 meeting in Baltimore, the Steelers won 26-9 seven days after the Ravens returned shell-shocked from London after losing to Jacksonville, 44-7... Both teams are missing major defensive contributors – Pittsburgh won’t have LB Ryan Shazier (serious back injury); Baltimore will be without CB Jimmy Smith. Also out will be suspended Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster... The Steelers are in a keen battle with New England for the top seed in the AFC, both at 10-2. The teams will meet next week in Pittsburgh, with the winner holding the top seed no matter what happens here.  

Analysis: Pittsburgh has the far better record, but the Ravens seem like the hotter team, with three straight wins, including a shutout over of the Packers at Lambeau Field, whereas the Steelers have pulled out late three-point victories over Green Bay and Cincinnati. What’s helped spark the Ravens is the return of NT Brandon Williams, who missed four games earlier this season. Without him Baltimore went 1-3, including the loss to the Steelers when Le’Veon Bell rushed for 144 yards. With him the Ravens are 6-2 and had all three of their shutout victories. The hungrier team wins.

Forecast: Ravens 24, Steelers 17