Pittsburgh ranks fourth-best in point differential through 8 weeks

The 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers are looking like one of the best teams in the NFL, boasting the fourth-best point differential through 8 weeks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ red-hot start continues to pick up steam. Not only does the AFC North currently run through the Steel City, but the team is also competing with the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs for the top spot in the AFC conference. 

While the 6-2 Steelers are tied with the 6-2 Bills, and just one and a half games behind Kansas City, Pittsburgh actually holds the second-best point differential in the AFC and the fourth-best among all 32 NFL teams. 

So far in 2024, through eight weeks of football, the Steelers have scored 187 points while allowing only 119 points against them. This point differential of 68 trails only the NFC’s Washington Commanders with 69, the AFC’s Buffalo Bills with 84, and the NFC’s Detroit Lions with a staggering 100-point differential. 

Pittsburgh’s differential shows the NFL world that their balanced strength on both sides of the ball is not to be underestimated. With the trade deadline approaching, the Steelers would be wise to strengthen their roster further and prepare for a potentially deep playoff run. 

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Brother of Broncos’ Nate Adkins had a prophetic dream about FB/TE

“[My brother] said he had a dream that I was going to catch a touchdown today,” Broncos TE/FB Nate Adkins said after his first NFL score.

Denver Broncos fullback/tight end Nate Adkins usually has an unsung role as a blocker on offense and special teams utility player.

Adkins made a big play on Sunday, though, catching the first touchdown of his career in a 28-14 win over the Carolina Panthers. The score did not surprise Adkins’ brother, Nick.

“It was awesome,” Adkins said of his first score in the pros. “It’s actually a funny story: I was talking to my brother last night, and he said he had a dream that I was going to catch a touchdown today. So it’s pretty cool.”

Adkins finished the day with one catch for a three-yard touchdown.

Fittingly, Broncos tight ends had a big day on National Tight Ends Day. Adam Trautman led the way with four receptions for 85 yards and a score.

“I think we all had a pretty good day today,” Adkins said of the tight end room. “I think whenever the ball was in the air, everybody was just trying to go out there and make a play and it ended up being a good day for us.”

Adkins, 25, now has nine career receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown. He often flies under the radar, but Adkins was rewarded for his tireless role with a touchdown in Week 8.

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NFL explains why Zach Ertz catch was not a touchdown

The NFL explains the Zach Ertz call.

The Washington Commanders defeated the Chicago Bears 18-15 on Sunday in one of the most thrilling NFL finishes in years. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ Hail Mary into the end zone landed in the waiting arms of Noah Brown to give Washington the shocking win.

While Chicago fans will lament blowing the game on the Hail Mary, the Commanders had several opportunities to put the game away long before the fourth quarter.

Up 6-0 with over five minutes remaining in the first half, Daniels found tight end Zach Ertz in the front corner of the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. However, officials ruled it incomplete. The Commanders challenged the ball but lost.

Judge for yourself:

If they had ruled it complete on the field, this was one of those calls that probably remained a touchdown. After the game, Nicki Jhabvala asked NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth about the controversial call.

“The ruling on the field was an incomplete pass,” Butterworth said. “After the challenge flag was thrown, for us to overturn it, we needed clear and obvious video evidence that he actually had control of the ball before it hit the ground. When the ball came to the ground, we had hand separation off of the ball, therefore it’s an incomplete pass.”

He provided further clarification.

“There were two different angles used, and he didn’t have his hand completely under the ball,” Butterworth replied. “And then you look at right after the hand and ball had contact with the ground, his hands were off the ball momentarily.”

The NFL created this problem, and fans have been confused ever since. It’s not just fans, but players and coaches have admitted over the years they aren’t even sure what a catch is anymore. By the current rules, the NFL probably got it right, at least sticking by its initial call. However, if it were ruled a touchdown, things would’ve been much more interesting.

 

Giants vs. Steelers Player of the Game: Tyrone Tracy Jr.

The New York Giants were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 26-18, on Monday night and Tyrone Tracy Jr. is our Player of the Game.

The New York Giants were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 26-18, at Acrisure Stadium on Monday Night Football and Tyrone Tracy Jr. is our Player of the Game.

Big Blue lost this game in classic Giants fashion as they could not make the big plays when they were needed and turned over the ball at crucial points in the game. However, for an offense struggling to get anything going all day, Tracy added a sparkplug as he got loose for a 45-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

For the second time this season, Tracy rushed for over 125 yards, this time totaling 145 yards on the ground. The rookie also caught two passes for five receiving yards.

The converted wide receiver has proven to be a gem of a fifth round pick for New York. His contact balance and vision were on display all night especially on his touchdown scamper. He was also extremely efficient as he averaged 7.3 yards per carry on 20 attempts.

Unfortunately for the rookie, his night ended early due to a potential concussion in the fourth quarter.

Other players that were considered for player of the game were Darius Slayton (four catches for 108 yards), Azeez Ojulari (seven tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for loss), and Bobby Okereke (14 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and 0.5 sacks).

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Should Pittsburgh target an offensive lineman at the trade deadline? 

Poor penalty management by Steelers’ RT Broderick Jones, and injuries to the offensive line may need to be solved via trade by the deadline.

It is truly miraculous how the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to win games given how injured their offensive line is. In Week 8, the Steelers were missing three starting offensive linemen, with two out for the entirety of the regular season. The interior depth on the o-line has been great, but the tackle position may need an upgrade before the upcoming trade deadline on November 5th. 

LT Dan Moore Jr., whose play has been outstanding this season, was banged up and had to sit out one play late in Week 8’s contest. Backup offensive lineman Spencer Anderson replaced him and immediately allowed QB Russell Wilson to get sacked. 

RT Broderick Jones continues to commit penalties that kill offensive momentum, and while it is probably time for HC Mike Tomlin to bench him, there is truly no quality starter who could take his place. 

Offensive tackle trade targets such as Cam Robinson, Andrus Peat, or Walker Little could help alleviate the injury woes. This team looks primed to make a deep playoff run, but they’ll first need to address depth issues on the offensive side of the football. 

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First look: Indiana at Michigan State odds and lines

Looking at Saturday’s Indiana at Michigan State college football odds, lines and trends. Here’s what you need to know.

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The 13th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) and the Michigan State Spartans (4-4, 2-3) meet Saturday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (Peacock). Below, we look at Indiana vs. Michigan State from BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds before making our expert college football picks and predictions later in the week.

The Hoosiers have fired out to an 8-0 record, and suddenly coach Curt Cignetti’s Indiana football team is being talked about as a potential playoff team. Indiana topped Washington 31-17 as a 5-point home favorite this past Saturday at The Rock, moving to 5-0 inside the conference. The Under (54) cashed Saturday, halting a 6-0 run for IU to the Over.

The Spartans suffered a 24-17 loss, failing to cover as 3-point underdogs, against the rival Michigan Wolverines on the road as the Over (38.5) cashed. Michigan State has lost 4 of the past 5 games after a 3-0 start. The Spartans are 3-2 against the spread (ATS) in those last 5 games. The Over has cashed in the past 2 games after a 4-0 run to the Under.

Rankings – US LBM Coaches Poll: Conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+

Indiana at Michigan State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Tuesday at 4:05 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Indiana -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | Michigan State +240 (bet $100 to win $240)
  • Against the spread: Indiana -7.5 (-110) | Michigan State +7.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Indiana vs. Michigan State head-to-head

Michigan State leads the all-time series 50-18-2.

The road team has won the past 4 meetings in this series, including a 24-21 win by Michigan State as a 3.5-point underdog last November. Indiana needed overtime two seasons ago to win in East Lansing 39-31 as an 11.5-point underdog.

The road team has covered in 6 straight in this series dating back to Sept. 22, 2018, with the Under going 3-1 in the past 4 in the series.

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Tired of sitting on the sidelines and want to play some games of your own? You can enjoy online casino play for real money from top operators and enjoy slots, blackjack and more from the comfort of your home or on your mobile device.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
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Giants vs. Steelers: Best photos from Week 8

Here’s a look at some of the best photos from a Week 8 game between the New York Giants and Steelers — a game that Big Blue lost, 26-18.

Here’s a look at some of the best photos from a Week 8 game between the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers — a game that Big Blue lost, 26-18.

First look: Louisville at Clemson odds and lines

Looking at Sunday’s Louisville at Clemson college football odds, lines and trends. Here’s what you need to know.

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The Louisville Cardinals (5-3, 3-2 ACC) visit the 8th-ranked Clemson Tigers (6-1, 5-0) Saturday night. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we look at Louisville vs. Clemson odds from BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds before making our expert college football picks and predictions later in the week.

Louisville got back in the win column Saturday with a 31-27 win at Boston College, but the Cardinals failed to cover as 7-point road favorites. QB Tyler Shough went 28 of 38 for 332 passing yards with 2 TDs and 2 interceptions in the win.

Clemson is coming off a bye week after extending its winning streak to 6 games with a 48-31 victory over Virginia Oct. 19th, while failing to cover as a 20.5-piont home favorite. QB Cade Klubnik went 23 of 35 for 308 yards with 3 TDs and an interception in the win.

– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+

Louisville at Clemson odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Tuesday at 3:30 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Louisville +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | Clemson -400 (bet $400 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Louisville +10.5 (-110) | Clemson -10.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 61.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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2024 betting stats

  • ML: Louisville 5-3 | Clemson 6-1
  • ATS: Louisville 3-5 | Clemson 4-3
  • O/U: Louisville 6-2 | Clemson 3-4

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Louisville vs. Clemson head-to-head

Louisville and Clemson have faced off 8 times in program history dating back to 2014 with Clemson dominating the series 8-0.

The last time the teams played was in November 2022 with Clemson taking down Louisville 31-16 and covering as a 7-point home favorite. The Under (52) narrowly hit with both teams combining for 839 yards of total offense — Clemson 439, Louisville 400.

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Tired of sitting on the sidelines and want to play some games of your own? You can enjoy online casino play for real money from top operators and enjoy slots, blackjack and more from the comfort of your home or on your mobile device.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @seth_orlemann on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Duke / Florida / Florida State / Georgia / Iowa / Kentucky / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / UCLA / USC / Washington / Wisconsin / Recruiting / Transfer portal / College Football Playoffs / College Sports Wire / High School

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