In this Thursday night NFL showdown, the Pittsburgh Steelers are hosting the Tennessee Titans, and the betting odds are certainly intriguing. The Steelers currently find themselves as a 2.5-point home favorite to kick off the week. It’s Week 9, and the over-under for this prime-time game in the Steel City is set at 36.5 points. Let’s delve into the numbers and analyze the matchup.
Both teams seem to perform better when they’re the underdog rather than the favorite. The Titans boast a 4-2 record against the spread as underdogs this season, with three of those four covers resulting in outright victories. On the other side, the Steelers are 4-3 straight up, and all four of their wins have come as underdogs. Interestingly, both teams have only been favored once this NFL campaign, and they didn’t just fail to cover the spread as favorites; they lost outright convincingly. It’s clear that neither team thrives as the favorite.
With the betting line set at a small 2.5-point spread, just below the key number of three, and a relatively low over-under at 36.5 points, the question on everyone’s mind is: What should we expect from Thursday Night Football?
The Titans will be led by a rookie quarterback who just made his NFL debut last week and is now faced with the challenge of preparing for a short week on the road against the Steelers.
Traditionally, the Steelers have been known for their strong defense and running game under the leadership of coaches like Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher. However, this season, their defense hasn’t lived up to expectations, and their running game has struggled. The onus is now on Kenny Pickett, who, despite being banged up, is starting this game.
On the other side of the field, the Titans are coming off a successful game last week. They introduced a rookie quarterback off a bye week, a favorable setup, and capitalized on his strong arm and ability to throw deep. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has been giving up 4.5 yards per carry and 7.1 yards per attempt through the air, which is uncharacteristic of the Steelers’ defensive standards. With a solid pass rush but issues in the secondary, the Steelers’ defense seems vulnerable.
Adding to the challenge for the Steelers is the absence of a few key starters, including Minkah Fitzpatrick. Betting on rookie quarterbacks, especially on the road, can be risky. Moreover, rookie quarterbacks playing on Thursday night games with limited preparation time pose an additional challenge.
As we gear up for Thursday night football, all eyes will be on the Steelers and Titans, each looking to prove their worth in a pivotal game that could have playoff implications down the line.
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