Steelers visit Motor City to Take on Lions on Sunday Night Football
An inter-conference showdown in the Motor City will be featured on Sunday Night Football when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Detroit Lions. The current line has Pittsburgh favored by 3 points with the over/under point total on 45.5.
Entering this game, Pittsburgh on the season is 5-2 straight up and 4-3 against the spread. On the road, the Steelers are 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS. Detroit on the season is 3-3 SU and ATS. At home, the Lions are 1-2 SU and ATS.
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has helped the Steelers to two straight victories after a 5-interception loss three games ago. His play and that of the defense has led to win over the Chiefs and Bengals that last two weeks.
Big Ben will look to running back Le’Veon Bell early and often in this game. The star running back for the Steelers has accumulated 180 yards or more from scrimmage in three of his past four games.
Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford and his teammates had a bye last week but he has been slowed by ankle and hamstring injuries, and his offensive line is maligned by a series of injuries, which could affect both the Lions rushing game and protection for Stafford.
In Stafford’s outing two weeks ago, he threw three interceptions in a 52-38 loss to the Saints.
Pittsburgh Antonio Brown is at the top of the list of wide receivers in the NFL, leading the league in receptions with 52 while accumulating a total of 765 yards with the halfway point of the season this week.
Steelers’ rookie receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster will start in front of disgruntled Martavis Bryant, who has been benched and not activated for this game.
Lions’ receiver Golden Tate was wearing a sling during the week due to a right shoulder injury. However, he says he will play against Pittsburgh.
Lions’ running back Theo Riddick is second on the team in receptions, while wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. has caught five passes of 20 yards or more thus far this season.
Pittsburgh rookie linebacker T.J. Watt has four quarterbacks sacked which make him tied for first amongst rookies.
Pittsburgh is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games played on the road.
Detroit is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games played at home.
Prediction: Steelers win and cover.
