Steelers Hope for Playoff Spot

The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping history will repeat itself as the final two weeks of the NFL season are played out.

Twenty years ago, the Steelers needed to win their last three regular-season games and have their AFC rivals falter to make the playoffs. And that's exactly what they need to happen this season.

The defending Super Bowl champions will continue their drive for the postseason when they host AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens in a huge game for both teams on Sunday (1 pm ET, CBS).

Pittsburgh is a 2.5-point favorite and the over/under is 41 in NFL Betting at betED.com.   

Just like in 1989, when they won their final three games and made it to the second round of the NFL Playoffs, the Steelers are happy to just have a shot at the postseason.

The Ravens, after a win against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, are second in the AFC North and in a solid position for an AFC Wild Card spot.

Baltimore is 8-6 SU and ATS and Pittsburgh is 7-7 SU and 4-10 ATS.

Both teams are 5-5 straight up in the past 10 head-to-head matchups, but the Ravens have a slight edge against the spread at 6-4 ATS. Baltimore does not do well against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, going 1-8 SU in the past nine visits.

Although both teams are known for defense, Steelers-Ravens matchups tend to be high-scoring, as the total has gone over in six of the past seven meetings overall, and in all five of the past five meetings in Pittsburgh.

This will be the second meeting of the season. The Ravens won 20-17 but failed to cover as 7.5-point home favorites on Nov. 29.

But the clash from the past both teams will have on their mind is last year's AFC Championship, won 23-14 by the Steelers as 6-point home favorites. Pittsburgh went on to win its NFL-record sixth Super Bowl.

Check out betED.com for NFL Week 16 Lines.