The Steelers earned a big win last week behind a revitalized Steel Curtain and a third-string quarterback named Duck. They’re on the road against an Arizona squad that’s lost five straight … and just lost by 27 points. Pittsburgh is slightly favored on Sunday — and bettors should believe in Devlin (Duck) Hodges.
- Date/Time: December 8, 4:25 p.m. ET
- Stadium: State Farm Stadium
- TV Coverage: CBS
- Sportsbook Odds: Pittsburgh -1.5 | O/U 43.5
- Steelers vs Cardinals Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Steelers opened as 1.5-point road favorites, having one of the league’s elite defenses and going against a Cardinals team that has dropped five straight games. With Arizona’s offense struggling most of the year and Pittsburgh’s decimated by injuries, the total opened at just 43.5 points.
Pittsburgh News & Notes
Clinging to the sixth seed in the AFC playoff race, the Steelers needed to fend off the surging Cleveland Browns in Week 13. Powered by their ferocious defense and stellar play from QB Duck Hodges, they did exactly that in a 20-13 victory.
After gaining just two total yards in the first quarter and falling behind 10-0, Pittsburgh outscored Cleveland 20-3 the rest of the way, with Hodges completing 14 of 21 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown.
The defense held the Browns to 202 yards after the first quarter, while registering five sacks, a fumble recovery that led to the game-winning touchdown and an interception that sealed the win.
Facing a Cardinals team that has lost five straight and is coming off an embarrassing home loss, the Steelers (7-5) have a good chance to move three games above .500.
Arizona News & Notes
After starting the season 3-3-1 with a rookie quarterback and a rookie head coach, the Cardinals have been in a free fall, losing five straight games following a 34-7 demolition at the hands of the Rams.
Arizona was dreadful on both sides of the ball. The Cards allowed Jared Goff to throw for 424 yards and surrendered 549 yards on defense, while Kyler Murray threw for just 163 yards, they ran for just 74 yards as a team and they allowed six sacks.
The loss dropped Arizona to 1-4-1 at home on the season, and it’s not getting any easier in Week 14. The Cardinals have allowed the seventh-most sacks in the league and now face a Pittsburgh defense that has the fourth-most sacks in the NFL — it’s going to be a long day again for Murray and the offense.
Betting Pick: Steelers -1.5
Pittsburgh keeps finding ways to win and hold on to the final AFC wild-card spot. The struggling Cardinals aren’t going to get in their way.
- The total has gone UNDER in 10 of the Steelers’ last 11 road games (avg. combined score: 40.36).
- The Cardinals are 1-9-1 SU in their last 11 games in the late afternoon.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Arizona’s last 8 games against Pittsburgh.
