The Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks will put a bow on Sunday’s action across the NFL when they meet on “Sunday Night Football.” Injuries have been a big storyline for these teams as of late and both squads will be missing notable players. For Seattle, Russell Wilson is sidelined for a few weeks after suffering an injury to his right middle finger in Week 5. Meanwhile, the Steelers will go the rest of the season without receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery.
As both of those teams try to move forward through these injuries, we’ll specifically be looking at the different betting angles that this game has to offer. Along with the spread and total, we’ll also take a look at a number of player props and hand in our picks for how we see this prime-time matchup unfolding.
All NFL odds via Caesars Sportsbook.
How to watch
Date: Sunday, Oct. 17 | Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Heinz Field (Pittsburgh)
TV: Fox/NFLN | Stream: fuboTV (try for free)
Follow: CBS Sports App
Odds: Steelers -5, O/U 42.5
Line movement
Latest Odds: Pittsburgh Steelers -5
This number originally opened with the Seahawks as a 2.5-point favorite. Of course, following the injury to Wilson, that advantage has now shifted to Pittsburgh, who are now five-point home favorites with Geno Smith set to be under center for Seattle.
The pick: Steelers -5. Smith looked solid when coming in under duress for Wilson, but there’s still a massive talent drop at quarterback for Seattle. That’s enough to have me lean toward the Steelers, especially as they are coming off one of their better days offensively in Week 5 where they totaled 391 yards against Denver. Meanwhile, the Seahawks’ defense is giving up the most yards per game (450.8) in the NFL entering Week 6.
Key trend: Seahawks are 2-7 ATS in their last nine road games.
Over/Under total
As you’d expect, the total dropped significantly with Wilson no longer featured in this contest. After opening at 48, this total immediately fell to 43.5 and currently sits at 42.5.
The pick: Over 42.5. While there is a massive drop off between Wilson and Smith, the veteran showed that he was a capable backup in Week 5, completing 10 of his 17 throws for 131 yards and a touchdown against the Rams. I think he’ll be able to keep the Seahawks’ offense afloat enough to put points on the board. As we mentioned, the Steelers’ offense should have no problem moving up and down the field against a poor Seattle defense that is allowing the most yards per game in the league and is surrendering 25.2 points per game.
Ben Roethlisberger props
- Passing touchdowns: 1.5 (Over -125, Under -105)
- Passing yards: 254.5 (Over -115, Under -115)
- Longest pass completion: 35.5 (Over -110, Under -120)
- Interceptions: 0.5 (Over -120, Under -110)
Seattle is giving up 305.6 passing yards per game this season, which is the second-highest in all of the NFL. Naturally, that trends favorably to the Over for Roethlisberger’s passing yards prop of 254.5, a number that he’s eclipsed twice this season.
Geno Smith props
- Passing touchdowns: 1.5 (Over +155, Under -190)
- Passing yards: 226.5 (Over -115, Under -115)
- Interceptions: 0.5 (Over -200, Under +165)
The Steelers are allowing an average of two passing touchdowns per game this season, so there could be good value in Smith’s passing touchdowns prop at plus money. Pittsburgh is also giving up 260.6 passing yards per game entering Week 6.
Player props to consider
D.K. Metcalf receiving yards: Under 61.5 (-115). The Seahawks receiver has been dealing with a hip injury this week that could impact his play in Week 6. Not only that, but he won’t have Wilson throwing him the football, which does limit his ceiling.
Najee Harris total rushing yards: Over 72.5 (-120). Harris’ role within the offense is increasing with each passing week and he now faces a Seattle run defense that is giving up 145.2 yards on the ground per game this season, second-most in the NFL.
