Henry Roldán
With no chance of winning the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoffs hopes are minimal ahead of their next Sunday game against the Carolina Panthers.
Despite winning three of their last five games, their 5-8 record has them at the bottom of the division, so they must win virtually all of their games, and still depend on other results, to at least fight for a wild card spot in the NFL.
Pittsburgh came close to staying in contention after a great matchup against the Ravens, but were ultimately outplayed 16-14 in a completely defensive duel.
Precisely that is the main weapon of this Steelers’ team, as it in six of their last eight games, they have not allowed their opponents more than 17 points. The secondary has not performed as well as expected, but their ground defense is one of the most efficient in the league, allowing only seven touchdowns. They haven’t done too badly in the red zone either, allowing touchdowns on 53.8% of visits.
However, that good performance has not paid off due to the poor offensive performance of the Steelers, who may not have Kenny Pickett available due to physical discomfort.
Only once has Pittsburgh scored more than 30 points this year, and overall they have the sixth-fewest goals scored with 227. They also average the third-fewest yards per play with 4.9, have the lowest TD share through the air with nine and record 13 interceptions, while in the red zone they have scored on 48.8% of visits to the opposing 20-yard line.
Predictions and Betting Preview for Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Week 15 2022
Moneyline (+120 from BetMGM)
With little at stake and playing as visitors, the Steelers come into the match against the Panthers as the underdog to win the game.
Pickett’s possible absence, as well as Carolina’s great moment, which can still win the NFC South division and has a 4-3 record at home, play against their aspirations.
Spread (+3.0 from BetMGM)
There is no doubt that this match will be very even, because beyond the aspirations of the Panthers, it is important to highlight that both teams share a negative record of 5-8.
However, it is also worth noting that most of the matches between these two teams have ended very close. Case in point, the Steelers have a 6-6-1 record against the Spread and the Panthers have a 7-6-0 record.
In meetings between the two, Pittsburgh has a 5-0 record playing against the Spread in the last eight meetings, but in that same span the betting favorite plays for 4-1 against the Spread.
Over/Under (37.5 from BetMGM)
Both Steelers and Panthers have very similar characteristics, and this favors a low-scoring clash on Sunday.
Both teams have good defenses that have been playing very well, and both also have very poor offenses that struggle to get into the end zone.
However, it should be taken into account that the Over has been given in four of the last five clashes between the two.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Future Bets or Future Odds after the Week 14
Over/Under wins for the season: Over 6.5 (-140 Draftkings) / Under 6.5 (+115 Drafkings)
The Steelers do not have an easy schedule to close out the season and need two wins in their last four games to get over the win line projected by Vegas bookmakers.
At home during week 16 they will host the always complicated Raiders and close the season against the Browns, a game that, as things stand, will define the last place in the division.
As visitors, the Pittsburgh team will visit the Panthers this week in a tough matchup, while in week 17 they will play for the second time this season against the Ravens.
Steelers win AFC North: N/A.
Last week, the Steelers were officially out of contention for the AFC North.
Steelers win AFC Conference (+9900 from BetMGM)
The Steelers are two games out of the final wild card spot, but with many teams ahead of them. However, let’s assume they pull off the heroics and sneak into a playoff berth at the last minute, winning the American Conference looks really impossible considering teams like the Chiefs, Bills, Dolphins and Ravens. All far superior to the Steelers.
Steelers win Super Bowl (+9900 from BetMGM)
If advancing to the postseason would be a heroic feat, and winning the AFC would be a miracle, getting a win in the Super Bowl looks truly unrealistic for the Steelers this season. That is how they see it in Las Vegas, and practically, in the entire league as well when you consider that the team has problems in all areas of their game.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM. We invite you to read our reviews!
