Key Matchups to Dominate Your Steelers Betting Picks

 

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The start of the new NFL season is still a way off, but the business around the league is at fever pitch ahead of the draft, which is set to begin in a little over 2 weeks. There are still some big-name free agents out there waiting to be picked up, as well as some players who look destined to be playing with a new team when the season finally does roll around. We might see a lot of those moves taken care of in the day leading up to the draft, as teams will all be jockeying for position so that they can land the players high on their draft list. With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at what is happening around the league, starting with some very bad news so you can take it in consideration when betting against the NFL Odds.

Trading News, Rumors, Free Agents and More | NFL Betting

The headlines these past couple of days have been dominated with the passing of Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins. The 24-year-old QB was practicing with several other Steelers players before being struck by a truck on the highway after the practice session. It was a piece of news that rattled a lot of players and media around the league, and while it is certainly cold to say so, it has also had an impact on how the Steelers will do business heading into the draft.

The harsh reality is that while the news about Haskins in indeed truly awful, the Pittsburgh Steelers have now been forced into making a decision they might not ordinarily been forced to make. They have been vocal in their goal of heading into training camp with 4 QBs on the roster. With the untimely passing of Haskins, they are now sitting with just 2 on the roster. That almost certainly means that they are going to be looking at a QB in the draft, with Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis being at the top of the list. The Steelers are probably going to need to make a move to land either of those guys, so watch this space to see what they do.

On the free agent front, we have some news to report. Steven Nelson, who played with the Philadelphia Eagles last season after being released by the Steelers, is on the market and was reportedly visiting with the Houston Texans on Monday. The Texans will certainly have some money to spend this offseason as they look to rebuild, and Nelson might prove to be a good pickup as they look to fill the many holes that they currently have in their lineup.

In the grand scheme of things, it was a rather quiet week in the NFL, with the standard cuts and re-signings accounting for the bulk of the business conducted. There are still some guys we are looking at, though. It looks as though Deebo Samuel is going to stick around with the 49ers, but we are still awaiting word on Tyrann Mathieu and Baker Mayfield, as they look to land with a new team. It might end up being a situation where teams wait to see how they look after the draft before committing to one of those guys.

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Previous Betting News

Despite missing longtime franchise quarterback for the entire 2019 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers went ‘all-out’ for head coach Mike Tomlin to finish with a very respectable 8-8 record. Now, as they get set for the upcoming 2020 regular season, Pittsburgh is hoping to get back in the Super Bowl mix in the AFC and nothing less. Following free agency and the recently completed NFL draft, it’s time to take a look at just what could lie ahead for the perennial-powerful Steelers along with their NFL Odds.

Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl LV Odds & Analysis After Draft

Super Bowl Odds +2400
AFC Championship Odds +1000

Steelers Offense Analysis

Pittsburgh finished at .500 a year ago and I though their hard play made head coach Mike Tomlin worthy of winning the Coach of the Year award last season. Without their longtime starter under center last season, the Steelers finished 30t in total offense, 31st in passing, 29th in rushing and 27th in scoring (18.1 ppg). To address their needs on the offensive side of the ball, Pittsburgh signed veteran guard Stefen Wisniewski, veteran tight end Eric Ebron, fullback Derek Watt, tackle Zach Banner and former XFL tackle Jarron Jones in free agency. The Steelers then selected Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool in the second round while adding Maryland running back Anthony McFarland Jr. and Louisiana guard Kevin Dotson in the fourth and sixth rounds respectively.

Steelers Defense Analysis

While Pittsburgh struggled on offense without Ben Roethlisberger, they were mostly rock-solid defensively in finishing fifth overall, third against the pass, 14th against the run and a stellar fifth in points allowed (18.9 ppg). To improve their defense, mostly against the run, the Steelers signed XFL defensive tackle Cavon Walker and former XFL safety Tyree Kinnel while putting their franchise tag on star linebacker Bud Dupree and re-signing safety Jordan Dangerfield. Pittsburgh also drafted Charlotte linebacker Alex Highsmith in the third round, Maryland safety Antoine Brooks in the sixth round and Nebraska defensive tackle Carlos Davis in the seventh round.

Pittsburgh 2020 Overall Analysis

While Pittsburgh finished with what looks like a modest 8-8 record last season, the fact of the matter is that they played to their full capabilities in 2019 when many other teams would have called it quits as soon as their starting quarterback was lost for the season.

Now, as they get set for 2020, I’ve got to believe the Steelers are going to be much better on offense with Big Ben back under center. If that’s the case (it will be) and Pittsburgh plays defense like they did a year ago, I could very well envision the Steelers back in the playoff hunt even if they are definitely no longer favorites to win the AFC North (+325). Nine wins – or maybe even 10, sounds about right for the Steelers this coming season.

 

 

Previous Betting News

The Pittsburgh Steelers repeated as AFC North champions this season and are in the playoffs for a fourth straight year. They are the conference’s No. 2 seed and awaiting their foe at Heinz Field in next weekend’s divisional round. Here’s an analysis of the Pittsburgh Steelers postseason hopes.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2018 Postseason Betting Analysis

Odds to win AFC: +220
Odds to win Super Bowl LII: +500

What About Brown?

The Steelers aren’t winning a Super Bowl or maybe even their divisional round game – probably against Jacksonville – without the NFL’s best receiver in Antonio Brown. He partially tore a calf muscle in the Steelers’ crushing home loss on Dec. 17 vs. New England and hasn’t played since. He reportedly is making progress in his rehabilitation.

“I know how hard he works. And I know all the work and the time … he’s been putting in and I’m confident he’ll be back,” star RB Le’Veon Bell said of Brown playing next weekend.

If the Steelers hadn’t locked up a first-round bye as the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs, Coach Mike Tomlin stated Brown would likely have been listed as questionable for a game during wild-card weekend. With nearly two more weeks to focus on his recovery, Brown appears likely to play next weekend.

Brown led the NFL with 1,533 receiving yards, was fourth in TD catches (9) and fifth in receptions (101). He might have won the receiving Triple Crown had he played the entire Patriots game and then the following two weeks. Brown did become the first receiver in NFL history with five consecutive seasons with triple-digit receptions, breaking his tie with Marvin Harrison at four.

Can They Beat Patriots?

Tom Brady simply owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that’s why it’s hard to imagine the Steelers going to Foxboro in the AFC title game and winning. Last year’s game wasn’t close, with the Pats winning 36-17. Brady torched that Pittsburgh defense for 384 yards (then a franchise playoff record until he broke it in the Super Bowl) and three TDs. Chris Hogan caught nine balls for 180 yards and two scores.

Then in Week 15 this year, it looked like Pittsburgh had scored a late game-winning TD to beat the Patriots and be in the driver’s seat for the top seed in the AFC. However, a Ben Roethlisberger 10-yard TD pass to tight end Jesse James with 28 seconds to go was overturned on review. Big Ben would then throw an interception on the end zone when all Pittsburgh needed was a field goal to force overtime.

It does seem the Steelers are never fully healthy when facing the Pats. Pittsburgh lost Brown early in that Week 15 game and lost Bell late in the first quarter of the AFC title game to a groin injury.

“We have always felt like we haven’t finished what we kind of started. Last year was a crazy run; we go into the AFC Championship Game without all of our players that we necessarily need. I end up getting hurt and run down. And it cost us,” Bell said.

Maybe No. 2 Seed Isn’t Bad

The last three times the Steelers were the No. 2 seed they made it to the Super Bowl – 1995 (losing to Dallas), 2008 (beating Arizona), 2010 (losing to Green Bay).

Pittsburgh will play the highest-seeded team that survives this weekend’s AFC Wild Card games, with the Steelers hosting whomever on Jan. 14 at 1:05 p.m. The most likely team to come into Heinz Field next week would be the Jaguars, and that would be a chance at payback for Pittsburgh.

In Week 5, the Jaguars crushed the Steelers 30-9 at Heinz Field. Telvin Smith and Barry Church returned a pair of Roethlisberger’s interceptions for touchdowns. The Jaguars picked Roethlisberger off five times in all and sacked him twice Big Ben was so bad he hinted at retirement after. But he got much better as the season went on and finished completing 360 of 563 passes for 4,251 yards and 28 touchdowns, with 14 interceptions in 15 games. He also ran 28 times for 47 yards.

Only three QBs in these playoffs have won a Super Bowl: Roethlisberger, Brady and New Orleans’ Drew Brees. Traditional pocket quarterbacks typically have more success in the playoffs. That’s why the Patriots and Steelers are favored to reach the AFC championship game.

No Team Has Better Kicker

If Pittsburgh is in a close game in these playoffs and it comes down to the kicker, then the Steelers are in good shape. Chris Boswell broke the Steelers single-season scoring record with 142-points, a record previously held by Norm Johnson who registered 141-points in 1995.

In addition, four game-winning kicks in the final minute (or with zeros on the clock) this year helped Boswell earn his first Pro Bowl nomination and first for a Steelers kicker since Gary Anderson was voted in after the 1993 season.

 

 

Previous Betting News

We’re still a few months away from the 2016 NFL regular season, but for those looking for some early predictions on some Pittsburgh Steelers, we have your action covered! We have reviewed the NFL spreads and selected some winning picks for the coming season, so make sure to check the quartet of expert picks on the 2016 Steelers regular season games.

Keep These NFL Spreads close when Betting on the Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 1

Pittsburgh (-3, 50.5) at Washington Redskins

Analysis: Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers won two of their final four road games in 2015 while going 1-0-2 ATS along the way. Pittsburgh is 5-5 SU and 4-3-3 ATS over its last 10 road dates and have won each of their last five meetings against Washington dating back to 1997 while going 3-2 ATS along the way. The Redskins lost two of their final three home games a year ago, including their humbling 35-18 playoff spanking at the hands of Green Bay.

All ATS statistics aside, for me, the Steelers are the better team on both sides of the ball and have both, the better head coach and quarterback in this regular season opener.

I know the Skins are paying at home and have a lot of enthusiasm about the coming season, but Pittsburgh is my pick to get the road in this contest because they have arguably the game’s best trio of offensive stars in Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell.

The Pick: Pittsburgh 31 Washington 27

Week 3

Pittsburgh (-3) at Philadelphia Eagles

Analysis: While these in-state rivals rarely play one another, the Steelers have managed to win each of the last two meetings and three of four overall while going 2-2 ATS along the way. Philadelphia lost four of its final five home games in 2015 while going 1-4 ATS along the way.

More importantly, the Birds have a new head coach in Doug Pederson that is experienced and a mediocre starting quarterback in Sam Bradford that is prone to throw a costly game-changing interceptions at the most inopportune time. Pittsburgh wins and covers the NFL betting line against the rebuilding Eagles.

The Pick: Pittsburgh 31 Philadelphia 21

Week 6

Pittsburgh (-3.5) at Miami Dolphins

Analysis: Miami lost two straight and three of four at home before beating New England 20-10 in a meaningless regular season finale in 2015. Not only that, but the Fins are just 1-4 ATS in their last five home games and a winless 0-3 SU and 1-2 ATS in their last three meetings against Pittsburgh dating back to 2004.

The Dolphins have a new head coach in Adam Gase, but he’s also a first-timer in his new position so no one really knows just how god of a head coach he will be. More importantly, I have absolutely no faith whatsoever in underachieving signal-caller Ryan Tannehill and can see him getting outplayed by ‘Big Ben’ in this matchup.

Tannehill finished 2015 with an 88.7 passer rating to finish 21st in the league. Conversely, Roethlisberger, a future Hall of Famer, recently made national news by urging head coach Mike Tomlin to allow the Steelers’ offense to go for two points after every touchdown.

“Put it in our hands. I want the ball,” Roethlisberger said. “Any player would relish that opportunity.” The Steelers win and cover people!

The Pick: Pittsburgh 28 Miami 24

Week 14

Pittsburgh (-2) at Buffalo Bills

Analysis: The Bills won their final four home games a year ago while compiling a perfect 4-0 ATS mark over the span, but Buffalo is also just 1-9 SU and ATS in its last 10 games against the Steelers, including five straight losses dating back to 2001.

Pittsburgh has won three of its last four games as a 2-point favorite while going 2-1-1 ATS along the way. For me, the Steelers are the easy pick in this late season matchup as I expect them to be jockeying for playoff position in the AFC.

Last but not least, the Steelers have a huge edge in the head coaching department with Mike Tomlin being infinitely better than Bills’ counterpart Rex Ryan, despite the latter’s generally loud-mouthed claims. The Steelers take out the Bills and cover the spread as my fourth and final NFL betting pick.

The Pick: Pittsburgh 24 Buffalo 20

 

 

Previous Betting News

As many NFL betting fans witnessed, the Wild Card Weekend very much lived up to the “Wild” tag, and perhaps the wildest game of all was the one that saw the Pittsburgh Steelers get by the Cincinnati Bengals with a stunning and improbable 18-16 last second win. I say improbable, because this was a game that the Bengals should have had locked up with less than 2 minutes to play and the ball in their hands. Although, a gritty performance by the Steelers, aided by a self-destructing Bengals, led to a come from behind win and a date with the Broncos in Denver. The victory came with a high price, though, as a number of key starters are doubtful for this weekend. Despite those injuries, there are still reasons why the Steelers might be a good bet at +800 in the current odds to win the Super Bowl.

Not a Big Betting Favorite, But Toughest Team in the League

There have been a bunch of guys on the Steelers who have had to play through incredible pain this season, with QB Ben Roethlisberger being the poster boy for true grit. Big Ben is one of the players who is doubtful for this weekend, as it is being reported that he has torn ligaments in his throwing shoulder. He seems determined to start, though, and while his throwing motion may be limited, this is a team with a talented group of receiver and runners capable of chipping away yards and taking time off the clock. That may well end up being frustrating for any team that they have to face.

Here Comes the Blitz

The Steelers are a little light in the secondary, but they have a front seven that can get after the QB in a big, big way. Ryan Shazier, Jarvis Jones, Lawrence Timmons, and team sack leader Cameron Heyward all have the ability to break though and wreak total havoc. If they can blitz effectively and get opposing QB’s running around and throwing off balance, they will find a way to win the field position battle. That is going to be crucial for as long as they play with a banged up offense.

Playmaking Ability

The Steelers seem to have players at every position who can make a play that changes the game.Antonio Brown may miss the Denver game though concussion, but he is just one of many guys on this team with big play abilities. The aforementioned Ryan Shazier seemed to be everywhere on the field last weekend, and you cannot talk about big plays without mentioning the TD flip catch that Martavis Bryant made versus the Bengals.

Yes, the Steelers are more banged up than most, but this is a team filled with playoff experience, not to mention a franchise that has won the most Super Bowl rings. Do not make the mistake of counting this group out just yet.