First Call: Ravens will have some fans Sunday. Will they have Mark Ingram? - TribLIVE

We are caked with Steelers-Ravens nuggets for Tuesday’s “First Call.”

Gambling tidbits. Roster and injury news from Baltimore. And a little historical perspective in advance of Sunday’s game.

Plus, a former Steeler gets away with a dirty, dirty hit.

Do, or don’t, on Dez

Well, at least it’s not Antonio Brown talk anymore.

But are the Baltimore Ravens signing wide receiver Dez Bryant?

There’s been speculation about it for days. The veteran wide receiver is scheduled for another workout with the organization this week. The Ravens host the Steelers Sunday. Bryant hasn’t played for two full seasons.

He signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints in November 2018. But he tore an Achilles tendon during his first practice. No one else has picked him up since then.

Actually, there has been speculation about Bryant going to Baltimore for years. He worked out with the Ravens in August. They also tried signing him in April 2018.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh had little to add Monday. “If we sign him, we’ll make that announcement when it happens and just kind of go from there,” Harbaugh said via the Baltimore Sun.

The Ravens rank second to last in the NFL in passing yards per game. So they can use the help.

Any takers?

I was surprised when the Steelers opened up as 2.5-point favorites on the road against an undefeated Tennessee Titans team. The line eventually corrected itself, and the Steelers closed as 1.5-point underdogs. But the Steelers covered the original line anyway.

Despite the recent success of Mike Tomlin’s club, I’m not necessarily surprised the Steelers opened as underdogs for their game this week in Baltimore.

But 5.5 points? That’s way too much. It’s already dropped to four points in most places. But check out some of these numbers collected by Jamison Hensley of ESPN about the history of the Steelers-Ravens matchup.

All five teams lost straight up after entering those games with records of 6-0 and underdogs of 4 or more points.

They were 2-3 against the spread.

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 26, 2020

Hmm, that’s not good. But take the points anyway.

One for the road

Speaking of great Steelers-Ravens history, Hensley gave us one more.

Ravens are 5.5-point favorites over Steelers.

No division matchup has been closer since 2008, when John Harbaugh became Ravens coach.

Lowest average margin of victory (since 2008)
Ravens-Steelers (7.3 points)
Colts-Texans (7.8)
Falcons- Saints (8.3)

Source: @ESPNStatsInfo

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 26, 2020

That doesn’t surprise me at all.

By the way, the Ravens are expected to have 4,000 fans at the game Sunday. And running back Mark Ingram’s health is still uncertain.

The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec reports, “Ingram didn’t have a real serious high-ankle sprain, but it’s significant enough to put his status in question for Sunday.”

Meanwhile, pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue is supposed to practice Wednesday and is expected to play against the Steelers. He was acquired by the franchise from Minnesota last week.

What’s it take?

Washington linebacker Jon Bostic won’t be suspended for this hit on Andy Dalton.

From The Aftermath: Washington LB Jon Bostic won't be suspended for his hit on #Cowboys QB Andy Dalton, but he will be fined. Meanwhile, Dalton is in the concussion protocol. pic.twitter.com/IlaNt7mmnX

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 26, 2020

If that’s not suspension-worthy, what’s the point of looking for any in the future?

Dalton is now in the concussion protocol and until he comes back, Ben DiNucci is the starter. The one-time Pitt and WPIAL product finished the game Sunday for the Dallas Cowboys as they lost to Washington 25-3.

He was 2-of-3 for 39 yards and was sacked three times. The Steelers visit Dallas next week after they play the Ravens.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

Categories: Sports | Steelers/NFL | Breakfast With Benz