Steelers Tight Ends Provide Great Potential In Parlay

Heading into their Week 14 matchup against the Ravens, the Steelers have been the center of national media attention. Head coach Mike Tomlin is once again being pilloried by talking heads and Steelers fans alike, an annual December discussion that tends to precede Pittsburgh eking out a winning record and losing in the first round of the playoffs. 

But aside from the Tomlin chatter, there’s been some discussion about the involvement of a key offensive player during the Steelers’ latest skid. TE Pat Freiermuth expressed frustration after seeing the field for just 17 snaps in Pittsburgh’s loss to Buffalo on Sunday, despite maintaining that he has faith in OC Arthur Smith. Freiermuth wasn’t alone; even Aaron Rodgers threw shade at Smith, saying a decision to get Freiermuth more snaps is above his “pay grade” — a nod to Smith, who is, in fact, at the pay grade to make that decision. 

It’s obvious to anyone who watches the Steelers that their offense must change, and after watching Rodgers throw a 50/50 ball to a 5’9”, 162-pound Calvin Austin on Sunday, it doesn’t take a brilliant offensive mind to see that they need big pass-catchers not named DK Metcalf to provide an option for Rodgers. 

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some prop bets for Steelers tight ends and see if we can predict how Arthur Smith & co. will adjust the Pittsburgh offense against Baltimore on Sunday. 

Pat Freiermuth Over 16.5 Receiving Yards (-120) 

If you take a look at this directory of online sportsbooks, you’ll find a betting app or a social sportsbook that has Freiermuth’s receptions and receiving yards props at a very low number, commensurate with his production over the past few weeks. But despite a very down year for Muth, he’s still eclipsed 16.5 receiving yards in seven of 12 games this season. Last year, he would have hit the over 14 times. 

If you believe that Smith will make an effort to increase Freiermuth’s snap count this week, and that Rodgers will make an effort to get the ball in his hands, then this is a very low total for Muth. If you still have no faith in Smith to turn the Steelers’ offense around, bookmark this bet for Sunday — if Freiermuth isn’t involved, the calls for Smith’s job may become louder than Tomlin’s. 

Jonnu Smith Under 16.5 Receiving Yards (-120) 

If Freiermuth’s snap count is going to increase, another tight end’s will likely need to decrease. If it happens, it’ll be Jonnu Smith getting the short end of the stick, especially after he missed a signal and ran the wrong route in Week 13 on a play that should have been a touchdown. 

Jonnu’s history with Arthur Smith hasn’t done either of them much good this season, and over the past four games, Jonnu has reached double-digit receiving yards just once. He may already be getting phased out of the Steelers’ game plan, and if you think Freiermuth will get more attention, this is an under worth considering. 

Darnell Washington Over 20.5 Receiving Yards (-110)

If you watched Sunday’s game against the Bills, you witnessed a sputtering offense that hit its low point when center Zach Frazier blew a shotgun snap for a 16-yard loss. The next play, Rodgers hit Washington for 19 yards. Four plays later, he hit Washington for 26 yards. The eye test was clear: If this Steelers offense is going to move anywhere, they’re going to have to get the ball in Darnell Washington’s hands. 

Washington has gone over 20.5 receiving yards in four of the past five games. If the Steelers know what’s good for them, they’ll make it five of six on Sunday. 

Combine All Three Picks for +525 Odds

If you think our logic about the Steelers tight ends makes sense for their matchup against the Ravens, you can find sportsbooks with flexible parlays that allow you to combine all three. On Hard Rock Bet, combining these props into a three-leg parlay will get you +525 odds. 

Regardless of your betting inclination, let’s all hope Aaron Rodgers can get the ball to Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington on Sunday.