NFL: Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - Odds, Prediction & Picks

The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) are gearing up to face the struggling New England Patriots (2-10) in a Thursday night showdown at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

The Steelers enter as favorites with a point spread of -6 at DraftKings. The Patriots, reeling from a five-game losing streak, scored zero points in their recent 6-0 loss to the Chargers. The Steelers, coming off a 24-10 defeat against the Cardinals, aim to bounce back. 

The matchup is anticipated to be a low-scoring affair, evident in the historically low opening point total. With the Patriots' strong defense and the Steelers starting backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky, a close game is expected. PA sports bettors and fans can tune in on December 7, 2023, at 8:15 PM ET to witness this intriguing clash on Amazon Prime Video.

Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook

Patriots

The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) face the New England Patriots in a crucial matchup on Thursday night. Despite recent struggles, the Steelers are favored with a -6 point spread. Quarterback Kenny Pickett is ruled out with an ankle injury, posing a challenge. Defensive player James Pierre is also out with a shoulder issue. 

Star running back Najee Harris is questionable with a knee injury, along with offensive guard Isaac Seumalo, linebacker Elandon Roberts, and center Mason Cole. The defensive side sees uncertainties with Minkah Fitzpatrick, Montravius Adams, and Keeanu Benton. Overcoming these injuries is key for the Steelers' success.

Steelers Injury Report:

• Kenny Pickett | QB Injury: Ankle Status: Out
• James Pierre | CB Injury: Shoulder Status: Out
• Najee Harris | RB Injury: Knee Status: Questionable
• Isaac Seumalo | OG Injury: Shoulder Status: Questionable
• Elandon Roberts | LB Injury: Groin Status: Questionable
• Mason Cole | C Injury: Knee Status: Questionable
• Minkah Fitzpatrick | S Injury: Hand Status: Full Participation
• Montravius Adams | DT Injury: Ankle Status: Full Participation
• Keeanu Benton | DL  - Injury: Oblique Status: Limited Participation

Pittsburgh Steelers

The New England Patriots (2-10) enter as underdogs against the Steelers. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson is out with an ankle injury, affecting both rushing and receiving aspects. Offensive lineman Riley Reiff and cornerback Shaun Wade are also out, impacting protection and defensive coverage. 

Wide receivers Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte won't be available. The Patriots face uncertainty with Trent Brown, Christian Barmore, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and DeVante Parker, all questionable. Managing these injuries will be crucial for the Patriots to mount a competitive challenge against the favored Steelers.

Patriots Injury Report:

• Rhamondre Stevenson | RB Injury: Ankle Status: Out
• Riley Reiff | OL - Injury: Knee Status: Limited Participation
• Shaun Wade | CB - Injury: Illness Status: Limited Participation
• Demario Douglas | WR - Injury: Concussion - Status: Out
• Kayshon Boutte | WR - Injury: ShoulderStatus: Limited Participation
• Trent Brown | OL Injury: Ankle Status: Limited Participation
• Christian Barmore | DL Injury: Shoulder Status: Limited Participation
• JuJu Smith-Schuster | WR Injury: Ankle Status: Limited Participation
• DeVante Parker | WR Injury: Knee Status: Limited Participation

Head-to-Head: In their last five meetings, New England has secured four victories against Pittsburgh.

Two things PA bettors must know before placing a bet on this game.

• Injury Impact:Both teams are dealing with key player injuries, including the Steelers' absence of starting QB Kenny Pickett and the Patriots missing RB Rhamondre Stevenson.
  
• Defensive Struggle: Anticipate a low-scoring game given recent performances, especially with the Patriots showcasing a solid defensive effort, holding three consecutive opponents to 10 points or fewer.

The matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots is poised to be a defensive battle, with both teams showcasing resilience on that front. The Steelers, despite facing challenges, hold a slight edge with a favorable home field advantage making things interesting for NFL bettors.

• Spread (Steelers -6): The Steelers, led by backup QB Mitch Trubisky, are expected to cover the spread. Despite Trubisky stepping in for the injured Kenny Pickett, the Steelers' solid defensive lineup, featuring stars like T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, can limit the Patriots' offensive output.
  
• Moneyline (Steelers -265): The Steelers, facing a struggling Patriots squad, are likely to secure a win. The absence of key Patriots players, especially Rhamondre Stevenson, plays into the Steelers' favor. Look for the Steelers to capitalize on this and secure a crucial victory at home.
  
• Over/Under (Total: 30 points): Expect a low-scoring affair as both teams emphasize defensive strength. The Steelers' defense, coupled with the Patriots' recent struggles to put points on the board, suggests the total points scored may fall under the 30-point mark.

While the Patriots' defense has been formidable, the Steelers, with their home advantage and defensive prowess, are poised to overcome the challenges presented by the Patriots' recent defensive successes. The game may unfold as a tightly contested battle, but the Steelers, with their defensive resilience, are likely to emerge victorious, covering the spread and securing the win.

Steelers -6 (-108) | DraftKings Sportsbook

For the best bet in the Steelers vs. Patriots matchup, consider placing your money on the Steelers to cover the spread (-6) with odds of -108 on DraftKings. The Steelers' solid defense, facing a struggling Patriots offense, presents a favorable scenario for them to secure a win by more than six points. 

With key Patriots players sidelined, including Rhamondre Stevenson, the Steelers are well-positioned to capitalize on their defensive strength. This bet offers sports bettors a balanced blend of value and probability, aligning with the dynamics of the upcoming game.