ESPN senior writer Mike Sando asks league insiders to pick winners in select games each week. Three evaluators joined the panel for Week 9. This week's games: Steelers-Ravens, Chargers-Seahawks, Rams-Saints, Packers-Patriots and Titans-Cowboys.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
Sunday: 1 p.m. ET, CBS | Point spread: BAL by 3 | Insiders pick: PIT (3/3)
The Steelers won at Baltimore last season to end a four-game road losing streak against the Ravens. All three insiders are taking Pittsburgh to make it two in a row after Baltimore's Week 8 defeat at Carolina gave the Ravens a 1-3 record in their past four games.
"Baltimore won the first meeting in Pittsburgh, but Pittsburgh is a different team now," one of the insiders said. "They are going to be contenders in the playoffs."
The Steelers are the team playing without their starting running back, but the Ravens are the team struggling to get much going in the run game.
Pittsburgh's James Conner is tied with Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott for the NFL lead with 15 rushes gaining at least 12 yards. That total matches what 2017 Steelers starter Le'Veon Bell had through seven games last season. Conner's seven-game totals beat Bell's from last season in rushing touchdowns, yards per carry and rushing success rate.
"I think Pittsburgh has found their groove and identity on both sides of the ball right now," another insider said. "They are still susceptible on the back end at times, but their front is really good from a pressure perspective. Baltimore just isn't running it as well. Maybe they try to figure out a way to get Lamar Jackson on the field more to spice up the run game."