The Steelers have lost two of their last three games and on Thursday night host a reeling Patriots’ team.
The oddsmakers have the Steelers as a 6-point favorite in this AFC clash with a very low total of 30.5. The public has actually been backing the Pats so far, as they opened as a 6.5-point underdog and as of Tuesday are a 6-point dog.
Things sank for a new low for the 2-10 Pats in their last game as they lost their fifth in a row in a 6-0 shutout home loss to the L.A. Chargers. They failed to cover the spread as a 4.5-point underdog and have not covered in their last five games.
The Steelers fell to 7-5 in their last game with a 24-10 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals. They did not cover as a 6-point favorite and have failed to cover in two of their last three games.
On the season the Pats are 2-10 ATS with an O/U record of 3-9 and the Steelers are 7-5 ATS with an O/U record of 2-10.
The Steelers hosted the Patriots early last season at home and lost to them 17-14.
Scoring Helps
The Patriots rank dead last in the league in scoring (12.3 ppg) and have only totaled 13 points in the last three games. In the shutout loss to the Chargers, they outgained them (257 yards to 241 yards) and rushed for 148 yards in a rain-drenched game but also had the only turnover.
In the last game Bailey Zappe passed for 141 yards, Ezekiel Elliott led the way with 52 receiving yards only averaging 3.1 yards per carry, and DeVante Parker had 64 receiving yards.
While the last game was held in a rainstorm Zappe was not impressive in his first start of the season. He may get another start with Mac Jones being bad this season but rookie Malik Cunningham, who recently was reverted back to the practice squad, may get some time under center as well.
Leading rusher Rhamondre Stevenson (619 yards 4 TD) is listed as questionable after an injury in the last game. Elliot (429 yards), who is averaging 3.8 yards per carry, is also listed as questionable with an injury.
The woeful Pats’ offense will be facing a Pittsburgh defense that ranks sixth in points against (19.1 ppg), 19th against the pass, and 22nd against the run.
Scoring Helps II
The Steelers only rank 28th in the league in scoring (16 ppg) and in the two losses in the last three games only scored 10 points in each and in the one win scored 16 points. In the loss to the Cardinals in the last game the Steelers had more yards (317 yards to 282 yards) but had the only turnover and were 1-3 in the Red Zone while allowing Arizona to go 3-3.
Kenny Pickett passed for 70 yards with no TD and no INT before being injured and Mitch Trubisky came in and passed 117 yards with a TD and no picks. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren combined for 122 rushing yards and George Pickens led the way with 86 receiving yards.
Mitch Trubisky (273 yards 2 TD 2 INT) will make his first start of the season in this game with Pickett out. Harris and Warren have combined for 1,262 rushing yards and 7 TD this season. Pickens leads the team with 748 receiving yards while no other player has more than 418 yards.
Pittsburgh only ranks 28th in the league in passing yards per game but a respectable 14thin rushing yards per game.
Trubisky and company will be up against a New England defense that ranks 15th in the league in points against (21.2 ppg), 16th against the pass, and third against the run.
Betting Trends
The Pats are 0-4 ATS in their last four road games.
The Pats are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 games.
The Pats have an Under record of 4-1 in their last five road games.
The Steelers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a losing record.
The Steelers are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games following a loss.
The Steelers have an Under record of 9-1 in their last 10 games.