Patriots vs. Steelers Prediction
Will the New England Patriots rebound from their loss to the Dolphins when they visit the Pittsburgh Steelers this afternoon at 4:25 p.m. ET?
WHO ODDSMAKERS LIKE: New England. According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Patriots are now 2.5-point road favorites versus the Steelers, who opened as a 1-point home underdog. The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 54 but is now down to 53.5.
WHO PUBLIC BETTORS LIKE: As of this writing, the Patriots are receiving 58% of the betting tickets and 59% of the money is also on New England to cover.
WHO THE TRENDS LIKE: New England and the over. The Patriots are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games in Pittsburgh and have covered in 12 of their last 16 games versus the Steelers overall. The over is also 5-2 in the last seven meetings between these two teams in Pittsburgh and is 9-4 in the last 14 meetings overall.
WHO WE LIKE: New England. The Patriots are 42-18-1 against the spread in their last 61 games coming off a loss. They’re also 13-3 against the number in their last 16 road games, are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games in December, and 8-1 ATS in their last nine road games versus a team with a winning home record.
Don’t let that loss to Miami fool you. With no Rob Gronkowski and a banged-up Kevin Hogan, Tom Brady was brutal on third down. Gronk is back and while Hogan is unlikely to play, you’re going to get Brady’s best effort off a loss. Plus, without Ryan Shazier, the Steelers defense has been bad the last two weeks. They’re susceptible to big plays on the back end, which doesn’t bode well for the Steelers slowing up Brandin Cooks.
On defense, I expect Bill Belichick to slow down Le’Veon Bell and take his chances with Antonio Brown. He’d rather face third-and-8 than third-and-three so if he can take away the running game, then he can get Brady back on the field as much as possible against that vulnerable Pittsburgh defense. Speaking of Belichick, he has owned Mike Tomlin in this matchup.
NFL WEEK 15 PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS -2.5