Mountain State bettors are met with a feeling of anticipation and impatience when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hurry Up
Since Week 4, the Steelers have been on a winning streak and currently hold a decent 5-3-1 record. They are currently in a competitive position in the AFC North race. This Sunday night, they face a tough opponent in the Los Angeles Chargers, who recently suffered a surprising loss at home to the Minnesota Vikings despite being favored.
The Chargers have been facing difficulties in their home games with a 2-3 record. Consequently, certain bettors are inclined to support the Steelers, who are favored with nearly a touchdown advantage.
Wait
The status of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger may remain unknown until later this week. Big Ben was unexpectedly removed from Sunday’s disappointing 16-16 overtime tie against the winless Detroit Lions due to COVID-19 protocols, resulting in a setback for his team.
As anticipated, the reserve quarterback, Mason Rudolph, appeared out of sync, missing his targets with overthrown passes and failing to connect with an open receiver in the end zone. His performance was subpar, and the Steelers lacked the vigor needed to secure a decisive victory over the Lions.
The game nobody wanted to win was symbolized by the hard rain and dreary skies.
In addition to not being able to catch up with the Baltimore Ravens for first place, the Steelers saw a decline in their projected over-under win total at DraftKings Sportsbook West Virginia. Their previous total of 8.5 has now dropped to 7.5. The over option now comes with a juice of -140, while the under stands at +115.
Should Rudolph play on Sunday, there is a possibility of improvement. His timing is likely to improve, as will the weather conditions, which could also positively impact the circumstances.
However, will it prove sufficient?
Is Big Ben expected to play? The betting line indicates he won’t.
“If he were to play, I believe the line would slightly shift in his favor,” stated Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook operations for DraftKings, in an interview with Play WV. “The line was likely influenced by the assumption that he wouldn’t participate. The absence of his presence would have a substantial impact as there is currently no one capable of leading the team.”
Pittsburgh Steelers Odds At WV Sportsbooks
Week 11 Betting Approach: Najee, Najee
The Chargers rank as the NFL’s lowest-performing team when it comes to defending against the rush, allowing a staggering 155 yards per game. This plays perfectly into the strengths of Pittsburgh’s promising rookie running back, Najee Harris. As a result, betting on him as the first touchdown scorer or even as an anytime scorer could prove to be quite lucrative, making him an attractive option at any WV sportsbook.
Harris, chosen as the 24th pick in the NFL draft, stands out as one of the most impressive selections in the first round. With 646 rushing yards and 317 receiving yards, he currently totals 963 yards, leaving him on the verge of reaching the coveted 1,000-yard milestone in only his 10th game.
Drawing a comparison to the legendary Franco Harris, a revered running back in Pittsburgh’s Hall of Fame, we highlight the achievements of Najee. Notably, Franco contributed significantly to four Super Bowl-winning teams during the 1970s, accumulating an impressive 1,235 yards over 14 games in 1972. Remarkably, Najee is currently on track to surpass that remarkable feat.
Expect him to be involved in both the rushing and swing-pass game. To counter the Chargers’ potential strategy of shutting him down with an eight-man front, the Steelers may need to utilize the passing game to establish the run.
Should that occur, receiver Diontae Johnson and the passing game would benefit greatly from the game plan. It would also be worth monitoring the status of Chase Claypool, who was absent in the previous week due to a toe injury. His comeback would provide valuable assistance.
Steelers Defensive Strategy
Throughout their existence, the Chargers have consistently ranked among the NFL’s weakest home favorites. This reputation has persisted even in their state-of-the-art SoFi Stadium. Time and again, they commit significant errors during crucial moments in numerous home games.
Can the Steelers defense pressure talented quarterback Justin Herbert further?
Herbert is a reliable option for bettors seeking strong offensive performance, but they should be cautious if he becomes unsettled as he might make a game-altering interception. Additionally, Los Angeles can rely on Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen as consistent scoring threats in any game.
The game surpasses all expectations in terms of popularity. The nationwide exposure on Sunday night will significantly boost betting activities.
According to Avello, it is likely to generate four times the amount of business compared to if it had been an earlier game.
I’m uncertain about the betting potential of this game if it were scheduled earlier due to the numerous uncertainties surrounding it.
Additional Steelers Odds Vs. Chargers
Take a peek at the various betting options available at the sportsbooks.
A brief excerpt from Caesars Sportsbook WV:
Looking for immediate excitement? The result of the initial drive is a fantastic opportunity in the market.
Pittsburgh:
- Punt -117
- Touchdown +340
- Field goal attempt +380
- Turnover +460
Los Angeles:
- Punt +124
- Touchdown +210
- Field goal attempt +360
- Turnover +525
These are some options available at BetMGM Sportsbook WV:
- The Steelers are favored to reach 10 points first with odds of +120.
- The Pittsburgh Steelers are favored to reach 20 points first, with odds of +180.
- The proposition “Both teams will score at least 20 points” has odds of +100.
- The Steelers are favored to score the first touchdown with odds of +110.
- The Chargers are favored to score the first touchdown at -150.
Fun Bets
Keep an eye out for FanDuel WV’s weekly point total over-under on all NFL games. Choose a total and place a bet, ensuring you have some action on each game.
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