Mountain State bettors, the Pittsburgh Steelers have returned both to the moneyline victory and giving points in the spread.
After a 27-19 triumph over the Denver Broncos as a slight dog advanced them to 2-3, the host Steelers are strongly favored Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle, 2-3, is reeling and was dropped by the Los Angeles Rams 26-17 last Thursday night. It is possible for the Steelers to end the week 3-3. And this, like last week’s, is a must-have game.
The Steelers not only have momentum but also received some unexpected favorable news by default for this game. They won’t face Russell Wilson.
The star Seahawks quarterback left the Rams game and will likely miss three games after having surgery for an injury to his right middle finger. The injury occurred last week.
For Wilson, a mid-November return is his best-case scenario. For the Steelers, it’s already the best case because they won’t face him.
It’s likely the Steelers will face Geno Smith, a tradeoff they’d gladly accept.
Pittsburgh may also avoid star Seattle back Chris Carson, who did not play last week because of a neck injury. His status for the Steelers game will be determined near game time.
Implications:
West Virginia bettors have to decide how to incorporate the following trends:
- Teams that have lost their starting quarterback have generally won about one game in three over the last few years.
- Seven of Pittsburgh’s last eight games against NFC opponents have gone under the total.
- Seattle has covered the spread four straight times after a division loss.
The Steelers come off their best offensive effort against the Broncos and play the second straight week in which the game simply lays right for them. Last week, they played an overachieving Denver team. This time, they play an undermanned Seahawks team.
Pittsburgh Steelers Odds At WV Sportsbooks
Can Najee Harris do it again?
The Steelers’ first-round draft pick blossoms every week. He had 23 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown against Denver. He became the Steelers’ first back to rush for more than 100 yards in the past 17 games. Harris had some sizable gains, including one of 20 yards, enabling Pittsburgh to do more than chunk-and-dunk the ball down the field.
But watch the injury report.
He’s listed as questionable because of cramps. “Questionable” means he should play, but check it closely before betting.
Can the Steelers defense be stout once more?
The Steelers capitalized on several breaks versus the Broncos. One of the big ones came after Javonte Williams of the Broncos sprinted 49 yards to the Pittsburgh one-yard line when the Steelers led 10-3. But he spiked the ball, earning a five-yard penalty, and the Steelers kept the Broncos out of the end zone.
Denver kicked a field goal, resulting in a four-point swing.
Pittsburgh nearly squandered a 24-6 fourth-quarter lead but held on with a last-minute pick in the end zone.
Steelers Player Props
Can the big receivers light it up?
DraftKings Sportsbook WV posted an interesting prop for Chase Claypool and D.K. Metcalf to combine for more than 149.5 receiving yards in total. The pair did last week, with Claypool gaining 130 and Metcalf 98. That’s 228, giving the impression that this is a no-brainer for +120.
What’s below the surface? Probably the change from Wilson to Smith.
Claypool came of age last week. He is known as a deep sideline threat but excelled by using the middle of the field.
This was one of the most encouraging signs for Steelers bettors and fans. It wasn’t simply that Claypool had five catches for 130 yards; the speedster made two long gains on throws over the middle, including a catch-and-run for 59 yards. The throw only accounted for six.
Claypool also showed toughness on sideline routes and on the touchdown that put Pittsburgh ahead 24-6.
Can Big Ben go deep again?
He hit Diontae Johnson for a 50-yard scoring strike, his longest TD of the season.
Will he hit Johnson first again?
For two straight weeks, Johnson delivered the first score of the game. That’s a viable consideration for this week. First TDs to high-profile wideouts often return +700 to +1000.
Will the over hit for two straight weeks? It delivered for the first time this year.
We said here last week that the over was overdue. And now it’s been paid to bettors who took that at 39.5. Pittsburgh tallied a season-high 27 points.
A 42.5-point total across WV sportsbooks is not impossible this week, and a tweak down on the alternate line for an over bet won’t be expensive.
Can another wide receiver step up for Pittsburgh?
The Steelers received terrible news this week regarding JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is out for the year because of a right shoulder injury sustained against Denver.
Will it be James Washington, once he gets over a groin injury? The Steelers hope so.
