The Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS) hope to build off a strong defensive performance when they host the Las Vegas Raiders (1-0, 1-0) as solid home favorites at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. Both teams are coming off comeback wins as underdogs in last week’s season openers, as the Steelers rallied for a 23-16 road victory against the Buffalo Bills while the Raiders did the same in a stunning 33-27 home win over the Baltimore Ravens in overtime on Monday Night Football.
- Date/Time: September 19, 1 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Heinz Field
- TV Coverage: CBS
- Sportsbook Odds: Steelers -6 | O/U 49 (Line History)
- Raiders vs Steelers Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Fresh off a thrilling win in its first-ever regular-season game in front of fans, Las Vegas has received a little support from bettors, sitting as a 5.5-point road underdog. Whether it will stay that way remains to be seen since Pittsburgh is an extremely public team and arguably had the more impressive victory in Week 1. That said, it will probably be tough for either team to score 30 points, which is one reason the total might be falling a bit down to 48. The Raiders accomplished the feat against the Ravens at home, but doing it again vs the Steelers on the road will be more difficult.
Las Vegas News & Notes
Las Vegas was hardly a well-oiled machine on MNF despite finding a way to win in OT but came through with enough big plays both offensively and defensively to give its new fan base some reasons to be optimistic about the potential of returning to the playoffs.
The Raiders became the fourth and final AFC West team to win its season opener and did so behind quarterback Derek Carr (league-high 435 passing yards and two touchdowns) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (six tackles, two sacks and two tackles for a loss).
The electricity at Allegiant Stadium did seem to give the home team’s players an added jolt, and it will be interesting to see if they can carry that momentum on the road.
Pittsburgh News & Notes
After a lackluster first half that saw Pittsburgh trail 10-0 at the break, the defense stepped up and held the home favorite to only two fourth-quarter field goals. Ulysees Gilbert III made the play of the game for the Steelers, returning a blocked punt for a touchdown to give them a 20-10 lead at the 9:45 mark of the fourth.
The Bills simply could not solve them in the second half, with quarterback Josh Allen struggling to make plays when he needed them down the stretch. If Pittsburgh can fluster an NFL MVP contender like Allen on the road, then the team should have plenty of confidence facing Carr at Heinz Field.
Staff Betting Pick: UNDER 48
The two starting running backs in this game were relatively quiet a week ago, but bettors should expect them to take on a bigger role here. Josh Jacobs did score a couple of huge touchdowns for the Silver and Black, and Carr will need him to become more of a factor against the Steelers. Likewise for fellow Alabama product and Pittsburgh first-round draft pick Najee Harris, who rushed 16 times for 45 yards against a tough Buffalo defense. Fantasy players would be wise to take the OVER numbers for both in an UNDER game.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- Pittsburgh is 0-4 ATS and 1-3 SU in its last 4 as a favorite.
- The OVER is 6-0 in Las Vegas’s last 6 games.
- The UNDER is 5-2 in Las Vegas’s last 7 as a road underdog.
