This game’s spread indicates a rushing game script for the Ravens, who are favored by 4.5 points.
Based on their underlying tendencies and matchup dynamics, the leading projections forecast the Baltimore Ravens to run on 51.3% of their plays: the greatest clip among all teams this week.
Based on their underlying tendencies and game dynamics, the Ravens are expected by the projections to call 67.1 total plays in this game: the 3rd-most among all teams this week.
In this game, Gus Edwards is expected by the model to rank in the 78th percentile among RBs with 13.2 carries.
This year, the poor Steelers run defense has given up a whopping 149.0 adjusted rushing yards per game to opposing squads: the 4th-worst in football.
Cons
The Baltimore Ravens boast a new play-caller this year in offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and the predictive model expects their pass/run mix to tilt 1.7% more towards passing than it did last year (in a neutral context).
Gus Edwards has been a more important option in his team’s offense this year, playing on 44.2% of snaps vs just 26.4% last year.
Gus Edwards’s 2.52 yards-after-contact this year signifies a a meaningful decline in his rushing proficiency over last year’s 3.64 mark.