Once again led by QB Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers will open the season on the road against the Buffalo Bills, who are projected to be one of the best teams in the AFC. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Highmark Stadium. Below, we look at the Steelers vs. Bills odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.
After starting last season 11-0, the Steelers lost five of their last six games, including a postseason loss to the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round. Now with RB Najee Harris in the backfield and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster back on a one-year deal, Pittsburgh has the playmakers to once again reach the playoffs this season.
QB Josh Allen is the catalyst that makes the Bills go and he’ll look to follow up a career year in 2020 with a potential MVP season this year. WR Stefon Diggs remains the top wideout, while RBs Zack Moss and Devin Singletary will split time in the backfield. The defense will look to improve, too, after finishing 16th in scoring last year.
Also see: NFL team win totals
Steelers at Bills odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 5:15 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Steelers +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Bills -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Steelers +6.5 (-110) | Bills -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 47.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Steelers at Bills key injuries
Steelers
- LB Alex Hightower (groin) questionable
Bills
- DT Star Lotulelei (calf) out
- WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot) questionable
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Steelers at Bills odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Bills 27, Steelers 17
Money line
The Steelers have the edge on defense, but this game will come down to quarterback play and Buffalo has a huge advantage in that department. Allen will do enough to help the Bills win this game despite a decent effort from Pittsburgh’s defense.
The Steelers don’t look any better now than they did at the end of last season and Roethlisberger is another year older. Give me the BILLS (-280) with a small wager on the money line.
Against the spread
The Bills covered the spread nine times across their last 11 games last season. The Steelers, on the other hand, covered only twice in their last seven games. The 6.5-point spread is larger than most games in Week 1, but the Bills are one of the best teams in football on paper.
Take the BILLS -6.5 (-110) to cover and win by at least a touchdown.
Over/Under
The Bills won last season’s head-to-head meeting 26-15. The Pittsburgh defense should have one of the best pass rushes in the game once again, led by OLB T.J. Watt, which could give the Bills some trouble.
On the other side, I expect the Bills secondary to pick off a couple of passes to limit Pittsburgh’s offense. Bet the UNDER 47.5 (-105).
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