Henry Roldán
Predictions, Odds and Betting Preview for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 of the 2022 NFL Season
The Pittsburgh Steelers face Week 2 of the NFL with a bittersweet taste in their mouths after winning their first game but losing one of the most important figures of their defense.
Thanks to a great defensive effort that forced five turnovers, four of them via interception to quarterback Joe Burrow, Mike Tomlin’s team defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime, 23-20.
In his first start with the team, Mitch Trubisky threw for 194 yards and completed a touchdown pass to help the first-team honors.
Defensively, things went well despite allowing 20 points and 462 total yards. In overtime, they were able to stop Burrow and give kicker Chris Boswell a chance to connect on a 53-yard field goal to seal the game.
This week’s opponent will also be very difficult, as they will have to face the New England Patriots, who are coming off a tough loss to the Dolphins. They will have to play without their defensive leader, T.J. Watt, who injured his pectoral muscle and will initially miss six to eight weeks, although there is a possibility that he could be out for the rest of the season.
Odds given by Caesars Sportsbook
Moneyline (+110)
The injury to T.J. Watt and the discomfort of running back Najee Harris, who returned to practice with the team after leaving with discomfort against the Bengals, undoubtedly influence the decision in Las Vegas not to place Pittsburgh as a favorite against the Patriots playing at home.
However, the lines are very even because New England didn’t show much against the Dolphins either, scoring just seven points. Despite Watt’s absence, the Steelers maintain a good defense and are always very strong at home.
On offense, Mitchell Trubisky is expected to improve his performance, as he completed just over 55% of his passes (21-38) against the Bengals. Considering the Patriots’ first week and the performance of the Steelers’ defense, a home win is possible.
Over/Under (40.5)
In the first week, the Pittsburgh game exceeded this line by three points, but let’s remember that the game went to overtime. In the case of the Patriots, their game against Miami totaled 27 points. If we take into account the last two clashes of these teams, in 2018 and 2019, both finished below 40.5 points.
For New England, quarterback Mac Jones has back discomfort, while Trubisky was not very accurate in his first start, so defenses are expected to be the protagonists of the game.
Pittsburgh Steelers Future Odds
Steelers win Super Bowl LVII (+6000)
The victory against the Bengals made the Steelers go from (+8000) to (+6000) in the odds to win the next Super Bowl, a projection that is still far off considering Watt’s injury and that the offense does not seem to have many arguments to fight against the league’s powerful defenses.
Steelers win AFC Conference (+3000)
The Steelers also went from (+4000) to (+3000) in the odds to win the American Conference, a circuit that features the most favored teams to reach the Super Bowl such as the Bills, Chiefs and Chargers. The Pittsburgh team does not seem to have the arguments to battle against them despite their good start .
Steelers win AFC North (+550)
Although they started as third among the favorites to win the AFC North, the Steelers have already achieved an important victory against a direct rival and away. To some extent that gives them an edge against the Bengals, but the Ravens and Browns also won in Week 1. Between the latter two Baltimore is the favorite to win the pennant following Cleveland’s suspension of Deshaun Watson.
