RAVENS (0-3) at STEELERS (2-1)

Line: BAL by 2  1/2.

Cote’s pick: PIT 23-20.

TV: 8:25 p.m. Thursday, CBS/NFL (airing in South Florida).

The absence of Ben Roethlisberger (out several weeks with a sprained knee) and Baltimore’s winless desperation explains the Ravens being road favorites in Thursday’s AFC North grudge match. No team since Buffalo in 1998 has made the playoffs after starting 0-3, so that’s the historical weight on Baltimore. Joe Flacco’s 6-3 career record against Pittsburgh is yet another reason that might help explain the betting line. I still like Pittsburgh at home. Temp-QB Michael Vick, 35, has experience and a lot of quality help in Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, who has 20 catches for 261 yards his past two home games against BAL. Vick also will be facing a Ravens defense that has been strafed for 65 points and 723 passing yards the past two games. Upset!