The Denver Broncos (3-1) visit the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3) Sunday in an AFC matchup. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Heinz Field. Below, we look at the Broncos vs. Steelers odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.
The Broncos are tied for the early AFC West lead but are coming off their first setback of the season – a 23-7 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens – in which the visitors outgained the Broncos 406-254 and closed the game with 23 unanswered points. QB Teddy Bridgewater left the game after sustaining a concussion just before halftime, but he returned to practice Thursday and was cleared from the league’s concussion protocol Friday.
The Steelers have suffered three straight losses after an opening day upset of the Buffalo Bills. Behind LB T.J. Watt’s 5 sacks, Pittsburgh remains an above-average unit defensively, but after subtracting a Week 1 special-teams touchdown the Steelers are averaging only 15 points per game with declining QB Ben Roethlisberger (29th among 32 qualified passers with a 36.6 QBR) and the league’s lowest-ranked rushing attack (55.3 yards per outing).
Broncos at Steelers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Broncos -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Steelers +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Broncos -1.5 (-110) | Steelers +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 39.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Broncos at Steelers key injuries
Broncos
- QB Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) questionable
- WR Courtland Sutton (ankle) questionable
- RB Melvin Gordon (lower leg) questionable
- CB Pat Surtain II (chest) questionable
Steelers
- WR James Washington (groin) out
- CB Cameron Sutton (groin) out
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Broncos at Steelers odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Steelers 17, Broncos 14
Money line
Desperation time has arrived early in the Steel City, and the home team needs this one to salvage any hope for this season. Given their offensive issues and the toss-up matchup here, though, consider nothing more than a small-unit play on the STEELERS (+100) against the banged-up Broncos who are among the league leaders with 13 players on injured reserve.
Against the spread
It’s a PASS here with better odds on the money line.
Over/Under
The Broncos are top four in terms of points (12.3) and yards (267.8) allowed per outing, but the offense is showing some leaks and has surrendered the league’s highest rate of quarterback pressure (37.1% of dropbacks).
Combined with Watt and Co., and the struggling Steelers offense, we have the perfect recipe for an UNDER 39.5 (-112) play, even with this being the lowest total on the Week 5 board.
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