Making informed choices is the benchmark of successful sports betting. It's also very important when you're betting on your Pittsburgh Steelers. This is particularly true in the fast-paced world of the NFL, where injuries, suspensions, matchups and more can profoundly impact a game's result. Whether they plan to put money down on the point spread, money line, parlays or prop bets, bettors need to stay in the loop, conduct research and gather as much information as possible for their NFL weekly picks to make educated wagers.
-544x306.jpg "Steelers Najee Harris")
Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett isn't the only one with big expectations in 2023, as RB Najee Harris will be expected to step up with an improved offensive line.
The Season-Opener: Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) vs San Francisco 49ers (-3)
The Steelers open the 2023-24 regular season at home against a San Francisco 49ers team that closed the regular season on a 10-game win streak and won the NFC West before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. Many experts are picking the underdog Steelers against the spread (-3). In other words, they believe Pittsburgh will succeed in the game or lose by less than 3 points. According to DraftKings, the probability of the Steelers covering the spread is 51.1%.
Bettors can wager on the point spread of a game, with their success or failure dependent on the teams' final point differential. Take the Week 1 matchup against San Francisco, for example:
49ers: -3 (-110)
Steelers: +3 (-110)
San Francisco is favored by 3 points, indicated by "-3." If the 49ers win the game 28-21, the 49ers (-3) win the wager and would have a complete payout of $19.09 on a $10 bet ($9.09 in profit). If the Steelers keep the game within three and lose 31-30, the Steelers (+3) would win and the payout would be the same as in the previous example.
Tips for Making Captivating Picks
Beyond learning how to read odds and betting lines, more in-depth research is required for informed betting. We will use Pittsburgh's Week 1 matchup versus San Francisco as an example. With that in mind, consider these tips to help you crack the code and make better picks:
1. Research team statistics: Look at team performance, offensive and defensive rankings and recent trends. Analyze factors like points scored, yards gained, turnovers and red zone efficiency. The 49ers finished last season with the league's best point differential (+173), whereas the Steelers were near the bottom with this stat (-38).
2. Consider home-field advantage: Home teams often have an advantage due to crowd support and familiarity with the stadium. Despite this presumed edge, the Steelers went just 4-4 at home and 5-4 on the road last season. The 49ers, the other hand, went 8-1 at home and 5-3 on the road.
Photo Credit: Morgan Timms / Post-Gazette
What was originally known as Heinz Field and is now Acrisure Stadium.
3. Study player injuries: Follow the 49ers and you will understand how impactful injuries can be. The team narrowly missed out on a birth to the Super Bowl, despite suffering injuries to their top four quarterbacks. Defensive stud Nick Bosa is holding out in a contract dispute and TE George Kittle is dealing with an adductor strain that has availability unknown.
4. Analyze head-to-head matchups: The Steelers-49ers rivalry has been played 22 times, with San Francisco leading the series 12-10. The teams last faced one another in 2019 when they secured a 24-20 victory.
5. Follow expert analysis: Whether you watch the NFL Network or read football-related articles throughout the week, valuable insights and predictions based on expert opinions and analysis from trusted sources can be gleaned and help with your bets.
6. Consider weather conditions: While this variable is not so important when a game is played indoors, considering the weather can be incredibly important for a game played in an outdoor stadium. For instance, the outcome of a game played in Pittsburgh in December can be affected by snow, wind, rain and freezing temperatures.
7. Trust your instincts: While data and analysis are essential, sometimes your gut feeling can guide you in the right direction. If you have a strong intuition about a particular game, don't be afraid to trust it. It's also a good idea not to bet based on your emotions. Even though the Steelers maybe your favorite team, that doesn't necessarily mean you should select them in a particular bet.
Looking Ahead to a New Season
After losing six of their first eight games, the Steelers turned their season around by winning seven of their next nine games, finishing the year 9-8. The profoundly deep hole they dug themselves in the first half of the season proved too much to overcome. The Steelers' hopes for a playoff birth were officially over as the Miami Dolphins secured the AFC's seventh and final postseason spot with their victory against the New York Jets. Still, it was a strong finish for the Black and Gold as they helped coach Mike Tomlin continue his record 16th straight non-losing season. Will the Steelers be able to avoid significant injuries and carry any of that momentum into this upcoming season?
