NFL Best Bets For Sunday (January 4): Ravens vs Steelers Betting Odds & Player Prop Bets

NFL Week 18 is here, and Sunday night football will feature a high-stakes matchup between the Ravens and Steelers.

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The AFC North is up for grabs, and it all comes down to the matchup tonight.

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens (8-8, 5-2 away) will square off against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, 5-3 home) on the road.

The public is split 50/50 on this matchup, and the sportsbooks are predicting a close one. Slim 3.5-point and -200 moneyline favorites on the road, the Ravens will have Jackson back in the huddle.

The Ravens have found their footing after a tumultuous start to the season and have won two of the past three games against the Bengals and Packers. Following a 41-24 Week 17 victory over the Packers, Baltimore is now back in playoff contention and is the favorite to secure the AFC North. With +950 odds to win the AFC Championship, the Ravens have +1900 odds to win Super Bowl LX.

Despite dropping last week's game to the Browns, 13-6, the Steelers have won three of their past four games, and get another matchup in the Steel City. With +3500 odds to win the AFC Championship, the Steelers are long shots to Super Bowl LX (+10000).

Who Will Win The AFC North: Ravens Or Steelers?

Last defeating the Ravens 27-22 on Dec. 7, the Steelers are 7-3 against Baltimore since 2021, and tonight highlights one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL. Overall, they have a 37-27 record against the Ravens.

Somehow, someway, the Ravens are still alive. With the season and division on the line, Baltimore and Pittsburgh (win or tie) must win tonight to save their seasons. Whoever comes out victorious will not only win the AFC North but will also capture the No. 4 seed in the AFC.

Lamar Jackson vs. Aaron Rodgers: This AFC rivalry continues with two of the most renowned quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. According to ESPN, the Ravens have a 58.7% chance of winning tonight. If so, they will capture their third straight division title. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, hasn't won the AFC North since the 2020 NFL season.

Pittsburgh will get some reinforcements, as T.J. Watt will lace up tonight. However, how will wide receiver DK Metcalf's suspension affect the team's performance? For Baltimore, receiver Rashod Bateman has been ruled out tonight, and Marlon Humphrey is now questionable. Injuries or not—expect a blood bath Sunday night.

Odds Are Current As Of January 4 AT 11 A.M. ET

If you're betting on the Ravens vs. Steelers matchup, welcome!

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. Scheduled to broadcast on NBC, the Steelers remain underdogs at home, yet it's anyone's game.

According to the weather forecast, temperatures are expected to be around the high 20s, along with 5 mph wind gusts.

It's the last regular week of the 2025-2026 NFL season, and what better way to end it? It all comes down to two rivals under the bright lights. That said, let's take a look at my three best bets, player prop picks, and predictions for the Jan. 4 Sunday night matchup featuring the Ravens and Steelers. If you're tailing my picks, I parlayed my bets within DraftKings Sportsbook.

Are you in search of further NFL and sports betting promotions? We have compiled a list of the best sports betting offers here. 

NFL WEEK 18 BETS: Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers FanDuel Odds For January 4

MONEYLINE

• BALTIMORE RAVENS: -200
• PITTSBURGH STEELERS: +168

SPREAD

• BALTIMORE RAVENS: -3.5 (-110)
• PITTSBURGH STEELERS: +3.5 (-110)

OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)

• OVER: 41.5 (-115)
• UNDER: 41.5 (-105)

BEST ODDS FOR BALTIMORE RAVENS VS PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Caesars has the best odds, favoring the Baltimore Ravens by 3.5 points (-109)
• The Pittsburgh Steelers will get a home game for the ninth time this NFL season.  Caesars offers the best odds at -110, tabbing the Steelers as 3.5-point spread underdogs.
• FanDuel and DraftKings currently offer the best odds for the game totals. FanDuel offers the best value for the under (41.5) at -105, while DraftKings offers the best value for the over (41.5) at -108 odds.

Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers Injury Report

RAVENS

1. Rashod Bateman, WR: OUT
2. Marlon Humphrey, NB: QUESTIONABLE
3. Bilhal Kone, CB: IR
4. Nnamdi Madubuike, DE: IR
5. Dayton Wade, PR: IR

STEELERS

1. DK Metcalf, WR: OUT—SUSPENDED
2. Darnell Washington, TE: IR
3. Skylar Thompson, QB: IR
4. Broderick Jones, LT: IR
5. Calvin Anderson, RT: IR

NFL Predictions for Saturday, January 4, Week 18: Ravens vs Steelers

Ravens vs Steelers Parlay Picks (+230 DraftKings)

• Aaron Rodgers 200+ Passing Yards
• Derrick Henry 70+ Rushing Yards
• Kenneth Gainwell 25+ Receiving Yards

NFL Player Prop Bets Today: Aaron Rodgers

• 200+ Passing Yards

The first leg of my parlay includes Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to record 200+ passing yards.

I'm not exactly banking on Rodgers to throw for 300-400 yards at 42 years old, but I think 200 is more than acceptable.

Averaging just north of 201 passing yards per game, Rodgers will be without his main target in DK Metcalf (suspension). Even so, he's learned to heavily lean on his running backs.

While the Ravens have Kyle Hamilton back, Marlon Humphrey is not questionable to suit up tonight. With that said, the Ravens rank No. 15 in defensive DVOA and 20th in defensive passing DVOA.

It's no secret that the Ravens allow the third-most passing yards per game (245.3), in addition to the fourth-most passing yards to quarterbacks. We've especially seen this with opposing quarterbacks within recent weeks. The following gun slingers crushed the Ravens' secondary over the last six weeks:

• Malik Willis, Packers (228 passing yards)
• Drake Maye, Patriots (380 passing yards)
• Joe Burrow, Bengals (284 passing yards)
• Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (284 passing yards)
• Tyrod Taylor, Jets (222 passing yards)

Not to mention, seven additional quarterbacks have thrown for 200+ yards against Baltimore. They've held just three quarterbacks to under 200 passing yards this season.

While the weather projects cold temperatures, wind MAY be a factor tonight. That said, there's no rain or snow expected in the forecast.

In the first game with Metcalf, Rodgers threw for just 168 yards, completing 21-of-39 pass attempts against a stingy Browns' defense. In a low-scoring 13-6 affair, it was the Steelers' running backs who took care of business with 131 yards on the ground.

Sure, we can blame the abysmal offense on Cleveland, and tight end Pat Freiermuth led the way for the Steelers with 63 receiving yards.

If we look at Rodgers' stats, there's certainly a stretch where he threw for under 200+ yards in three straight weeks. However, he's thrown for 200+ yards in three of the last four games, averaging 235.5 passing yards per game.

Final Ravens vs Steelers NFL betting prediction: Aaron Rodgers 200+ Passing Yards

Over the last three weeks, we've seen head coach Mike Tomlin heavily use Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell in both the rushing and receiving games. Now with Mecalf and Darnell Washington ruled out, Rodgers will have to rely largely on his running backs, Adam Thielen, Freiermuth, Scotty Miller, and Calvin Austin III. If anything, Rodgers will crush this prop with the short game.

• I'm taking Aaron Rodgers to record 200+ passing yards today as one of my best bets and prop bets on Sunday night.  He's averaging 35.2 passing attempts over the last four games, including 41 and 39 against the Lions and Browns. Overall, the Ravens allow the third-highest passing attempts per game (37.2).

NFL Player Prop Bets Today: Derrick Henry

• 70+ Rushing Yards

For the second leg of my parlay, I took Ravens running back Derrick Henry to record 70+ rushing yards tonight.

This line may seem steep, and I veered away from the original prop line, which is set at 89.5 rushing yards. As my favorite saying goes, the stats do not lie!

Last week, bettors saw Henry rush for a career-high 216 rushing yards for four touchdowns in the Ravens' 41-24 Week 17 victory over the Packers. When I say this was one of the most dominant performances I've ever seen, I truly mean that. Rushing 36 times, Henry finished with an average of 6.0 YPC.

Is it a coincidence that today marks King Henry's 31st birthday? I smell a big day ahead for Henry. The only obstacle standing in his way is the return of T.J. Watt.

Why Derrick Henry Can Soar Over This Player Prop Sunday Night

Rushing for 100+ yards in three straight weeks, Henry has compiled 444 rushing yards over that span. For those who are spiritual, 444 is one of the more positive numbers we could see. Over the last four weeks, King Henry has averaged a solid 22.5 carries per game.

I am expecting Keaton Mitchell to get some touches, as he logged 18% of snaps last week. However, Henry is still the workhorse back and played 63% of snaps in Week 17.

Overall, Henry is undoubtedly one of the most elite running backs in the game, ranking in the top three in rushes (287), rush yards (1,469), rush touchdowns (16), and yards after contact (983). Considered one of the most explosive running backs in the NFL, we are talking about a player who averages 18.9 touches per game and gets 58.2% of snaps with touches. The Ravens have always been a run-heavy team, and Henry fits perfectly in John Harbaugh's scheme.

Just a few weeks ago, Henry rushed for 94 yards on 25 carries in the Ravens' 27-22 loss against the Steelers. Bottled up for 3.8 YPC, the volume is certainly there for Henry. Mind you, that was WITH Watt in the game.

Final Ravens vs Steelers NFL betting prediction: Derrick Henry 70+ Rushing Yards

It will be a tall task for Henry, who faces a Steelers' defense that ranks No. 8 in defensive rush DVOA, yet sits No. 25 in rush EPA. Middle-of-the-road defensively against running backs, Pittsburgh completely shut down the Lions' and Browns' run game over the last two weeks. Prior to that, James Cook (Bills) rushed for 144 yards, while Chase Brown and Kimani Vidal each rushed for 90+ yards.

• Tonight is a must-win game for both sides— I do believe both defenses will be out tonight. That said, Henry has been a Steelers killer, soaring over this player prop line in three straight games against Pittsburgh. Averaging 147.3 rushing yards over that span, it seems very few teams can stop the King. Overall, he's rushed for 70+ yards in 10 games this season.

NFL Player Prop Bets Today: Kenneth Gainwell

• 25+ Receiving Yards

For my last leg of my DraftKings parlay, I am taking Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell to record 25+ receiving yards.

Part of the Steelers' recent success has primarily come from running backs Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren. Especially over the last three weeks, where he's compiled 46 and 78 receiving yards against the Dolphins and Lions.

A former product of Philadelphia, head coach Mike Tomlin has learned how to utilize him in a perfect complementary role alongside Warren. And since his 2021 NFL debut, Gainwell has reached career-highs in receiving yards (422), targets (76), and receptions (65).

Gainwell may very well be the x-factor for tonight's game, as he's averaging 6.8 yards per carry and has been far more productive in the short game.

On Dec. 7, we saw Gainwell record just 15 yards, but 27 receiving yards on six receptions against Baltimore. Now he has a prime matchup against a Baltimore team that allows the third-most receiving yards to running backs and may be without Humphrey.

Final Ravens vs Steelers NFL betting prediction: Kenneth Gainwell 25+ Receiving Yards

Overall, the Ravens have allowed 27+ receiving yards to RB2s Gainwell and Rhamondre Stevenson. In addition, they've been forgiving, allowing 25+ receiving yards to RB1s in 8 of the last 10 games.

Whether Tomlin leans more toward Warren or Gainwell, their snap counts were nearly equal last week.

• I'm taking Kennth Gainwell to record 25+ receiving yards on Sunday night. Howie Roseman is showing he made a massive mistake by letting Gainwell walk, who should be utilized heavily tonight. This is especially since Metcalf and Washington are ruled out. The receiving corps in the Steel City is not exactly the strongest.