By: Michael Stiffler, @Stiffeezy_ on Twitter
SteelerNation.com
Each and every week, I am going to go over the total and spread (1st half and game) for the Pittsburgh Steelers. All lines will be pulled from FanDuel Sportsbook, so lines may vary depending on where you go for your gambling needs. Feel free to follow, fade, or complain!
Disclaimer: I will not always pick the Steelers.
Spread: Pittsburgh -5.5 (Opened at Pittsburgh -3.5)
The Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin have dominated on Monday Night Football boasting a 15-2 record. They travel to the Meadowlands to face off against the New York Giants, and the Steelers get to start the season off mostly healthy with Ben Roethlisberger, James Conner, and JuJu Smith-Schuster back to 100%. This trio alone will help bolster an offense who was near the bottom of the league in every category last season. The defense returns nearly everyone from a year ago and should only be better as the offense shouldn't come off the field nearly as often. As far as this game goes, there is no reason the Steelers can’t beat the Giants by more than a touchdown. No need for gambling stats on this one. The Steelers are the better team.
Stiffler’s Pick: Pittsburgh -5.5 (Very Confident)
Total: Over/Under 45.5 (Opened at 47.5)
Overall the Steelers have the advantage in all three phases of the game. While the Steelers may start slow, I expect Roethlisberger will be able to put up at least 20 points on a Giants defense who ranked near the bottom of the league in 2019.
The Giants will have a tough time putting points on the board altogether. The front four of Bud Dupree, TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Stephon Tuitt should have Daniel Jones running for his life behind an offensive line who is unproven outside of guard Kevin Zeitler. The receiving core of the Giants versus the Steelers secondary should be the highlight of the show as the Steelers have arguably the best secondary in the NFL. Expectation is Jones will have a tough time trying to throw on Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steven Nelson, and Joe Haden. I have the assumption the Steelers will hold the Giants to less than 10 points, possibly a shut out.
Stiffler’s Pick: Under 45.5 (Moderate Confidence)
1st Half Spread: Pittsburgh -3.5
Both teams should have a tough time starting. Roethlisberger has already said he is going to have jitters for this game, since it will be the first time playing since the season ending elbow injury. Not only will jitters be a factor, but he will have new-ish faces on the offensive side with Diontae Johnson and Eric Ebron. Expect a couple miscues from the quarterback and his receivers while learning the new nuances quarterbacks coach Matt Canada help implement.
The Giants will have a taller task than the Steelers. Jones and company will be executing Jason Garrett’s new offense as he comes over from the division rival Dallas Cowboys. Jones also has the pleasure to try and figure out the Steelers defense who led the league in sacks and takeaways a year ago. The Steelers defense has historically given younger quarterbacks fits, so it will be interesting to see how Jones will react.
Expect a slow start to the game.
Stiffler’s Pick: Pittsburgh -3.5 (NOT Confident)
Let me know what you think! Next week will bring a more stats driven analysis. More data, better results!
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