2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 14

Baltimore Ravens (8-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7)

Sunday, December 11, 1:00 PM ET

All of a sudden, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2022 season isn’t looking as dismal as it was a couple of weeks ago. Two wins in a row have put the Steelers back in the “in the hunt” category of the AFC playoffs. After starting off the year with Mitchell Trubisky in the driver’s seat of the offense and a 2-6 record, you’ll take it.

There’s a plethora of reasons why Mike Tomlin is a great coach, and the way the Steelers have been able to rally in the last month, winning three of their last four games and at least putting the ball back in their court, is Exhibit A.

Although the Steelers scored just three points in the second half of their victory this past weekend in Atlanta, that was all they needed to come away with the W. Pittsburgh got off to a 16-6 lead at the half and quickly shut down the Falcons’ bid to tie or win in the 4th quarter with a Minkah Fitzpatrick interception.

Are the Steelers the most exciting team in the NFL? No. Does their offense score points in bunches like it did with Ben Roethlisberger back in the day? No. But that doesn’t mean this team is going down without a fight. Right now, the Bengals look like they’ll emerge as the top team in the AFC North, so the Steelers desperately need to gain this ground against the Ravens, who are fresh off of a 10-9 win against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Lamar Jackson is considered week-to-week, and may not be available for this game, which obviously affects our NFL picks. I’m going to play it conservative and say that Jackson doesn’t play, giving way for Tyler Huntley to start. The Ravens simply don’t have the dudes offensively right now to beat Pittsburgh’s talented defense on the road, in my opinion, at least not without Jackson in the lineup.

Maybe I’ll eat crow on that later. For now, I’m riding this wave with Pittburgh.

Prediction: Steelers win 17-13