Nov 26, 2016 4 min read

And down the stretch they come.

Heading into today’s games, the Steelers hold a half-game lead over Baltimore in the AFC North at 6-5 to the Ravens’ 5-5 record.

But Thursday night’s win in Indianapolis was a big one for the Steelers, who have just five games remaining, three at home and two on the road.

After losing at Baltimore earlier this month, the Steelers fell to 1-3 on the road. More importantly, their offense had not traveled well since a season-opening 38-16 win at Washington.

The running game had been non-existent in losses at Philadelphia, Miami and Baltimore, putting a lot of pressure on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who also didn’t play his best football in those games.

But the Steelers have ridden Le’Veon Bell the past two weeks and he has gained 146 and 120 yards on the ground, helping Pittsburgh to a pair of convincing victories.

Yes, they were only over the Browns and the Andrew Luck-less Colts, but the Steelers needed to re-establish the fact that they could run the ball and also win on the road.

In both cases, the mission was accomplished.

The two wins put the Steelers in the driver’s seat in the AFC North.

The Steelers played the league’s most difficult schedule – based on this year’s standings – in the first half of this season. But things have eased up considerably.

The Ravens, meanwhile, had played one of the league’s easiest schedules. Now, their schedule gets a little more difficult.

The Steelers will host the Giants (7-3) at Heinz Field next week before heading back on the road for games at Buffalo (5-5) and Cincinnati (3-6-1). They then finish the season with the Ravens and Browns (0-11) at home. If Pittsburgh can’t get to nine or even 10 wins with that schedule, well, then the Steelers don’t belong in the postseason.

As for the Ravens, after hosting the Bengals this week, they host the suddenly resurgent Dolphins (6-4) next week. Miami hasn’t lost since beating the Steelers last month to improve to 2-4.

The Ravens then travel to New England (8-2) before going home for their final game at M&T Bank Stadium this season against the Eagles (5-5).

They then finish the season at Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, which, by then should have star receiver A.J. Green back.

Considering the Ravens have beaten just one team that is currently .500 or better this season – that being the Steelers – it doesn’t bode well for Baltimore.

Yes, Baltimore has won five of the past six games against the Steelers, but remember that one of those games was a playoff contest in which Bell was injured six days before and did not play, while Mike Vick started in Pittsburgh last season with Ben Roethlisberger out with an injury.

Now, on to this week’s picks.

Baltimore’s offense isn’t good enough to blow out a banged-up but desperate Bengals team.

Take Baltimore, 20-17

The Texans have been very good at home this season.

Take Houston, 24-20

The Packers are in the funk the Steelers recently found themselves in. They just haven’t been able to pull out of it.

Take Philadelphia, 31-24

Jared Goff didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard in his first career start. Drew Brees will.

Take New Orleans, 26-13

The Titans are quietly having a nice turnaround this season.

Take Tennessee, 24-16

Can the Browns go to 0-12? They sure can.

Take the Giants, 29-16

Tough road trip, but Seattle’s pass defense will rule the day.

Take Seattle, 24-17

This should be a fun game. Cam Newton vs. Derek Carr could be the future of the NFL.

Take Oakland, 31-26

Denver’s defense should do enough to get the win here.

Take Denver, 20-16

After a stumble against the Seahawks two weeks ago, the Patriots are back to beating up on the dregs. The Jets are the dregs.

Take New England, 34-10

The Bills stay in the playoff hunt with a win and get star receiver Sammy Watkins back this week.

Take Jacksonville to cover in a 26-20 loss

Julio Jones vs. Patrick Peterson. Sounds like fun.

Take Atlanta, 30-24

The Dolphins might be this year’s Chiefs, but they still have some ground to make up.

Take Miami, 27-17

Thanksgiving Day: 3-0 ATS; 3-0 Straight up

Overall: 69-75-4 ATS; 84-66-2 Straight up