Steelers vs. Lions Total Pick
Can the Detroit Lions get their offense back on track Sunday night when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Pittsburgh is favored on the road, as the Steelers are getting odds of -3 points against the Steelers. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 45.5 points. Pittsburgh has won four straight meetings in this series and the two have hit the over in all four games. The public betting in this one has Detroit getting 51 percent of the wagers at home. Sunday’s game takes place from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan and the game will air live on NBC.
The Lions are coming off a bye week, but they lost their last two games prior to that. Detroit is now 3-3 on the season and they are 4-2 with the over this year, including in all three home games. The Lions are averaging 26.8 points per game right now, but only putting up 322 yards per game. Matthew Stafford has thrown for 1,428 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he has been sacked 23 times this year. Stafford’s line continues to be banged up as tackles Greg Robinson and Rick Wagner are both questionable to play with ankle injuries. Leading receiver Golden Tate is also battling a shoulder injury that could keep him from playing on Sunday. Defensively, Detroit is allowing 24.8 points and 354.5 yards per game.
The Steelers are coming off a 29-14 win over the Bengals last week to improve to 5-2 on the season. The Steelers are 6-1 with the under, hitting it in all four games on the road this season. Pittsburgh is led by its defense, which is allowing 16.6 points and 284 yards per contest. The Steelers pass defense is holding opponents to just 172.3 yards per game. On offense, Pittsburgh is putting up 21 points and 369.3 yards per game. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for 1,745 yards and nine touchdowns, but also has eight interceptions. Le’Veon Bell has 684 rushing yards with four scores while Antonio Brown has 52 catches for 765 yards and three touchdowns.
The Lions are putting up a lot when it comes to scoring average, but that is partly due to defensive and special teams touchdowns. The offense is really struggling right now with their line issues and Matthew Stafford hasn’t looked right for weeks. I expect him to struggle again against this solid Pittsburgh defense. The Lions will put up a fight on defense and keep the Steelers from putting up a big total. I like the under to hit in this one.
NFL WEEK 8 PREDICTION: STEELERS/LIONS UNDER 45.5