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The San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers meet in Week 1 NFL action Sunday. Kickoff from Acrisure stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the 49ers vs. Steelers, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
The 49ers’ 2022 season ended with a 31-7 loss in the NFC Championship at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. Rookie QB Brock Purdy was a star for the 49ers after coming in as the 3rd-string QB in week 13 of last year’s regular season, but suffered a UCL injury in the NFC Championship loss. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year DE Nick Bosa ended his contract holdout Wednesday, agreeing to a 5-year $170 million contract.
Coach Mike Tomlin extended his streak of years without a losing season to 16 as the Steelers won their final 4 games in 2022. The Steelers were 7-2 in their final 9 games after their week 9 bye, yet missed the playoffs while finishing with a 9-8 record. All indications are that 2nd-year QB Kenny Pickett has made a significant jump and Steelers fans are hopeful to make the playoffs in a very crowded AFC.
Against the AFC last year the 49ers went 3-2 straight up and 1-4 against the spread (ATS), while the Over was 3-2 in such games.
Against the NFC last year the Steelers were 4-1 overall and 4-1 ATS, with the Under being 3-2.
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49ers at Steelers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6:20 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): 49ers -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Steelers +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Against the spread (ATS): 49ers -2 (-110) | Steelers -2 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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49ers at Steelers key injuries
49ers
- S Talanoa Hufanga (knee) questionable
- TE George Kittle (groin) questionable
- WR Ray-Ray McCloud III (wrist) questionable
- K Jake Moody (quad) questionable
- CB Charvarius Ward (heel) questionable
Steelers
- DT Cameron Heyward (stomach) questionable
- DT Larry Ogunjobi (foot) questionable
49ers at Steelers picks and predictions
Prediction
49ers 21, Steelers 20
Moneyline
BET 49ERS (-130).
I like backing the 49ers to win here and I see them as a true title contender, and with Bosa being back in action they should be firing on all cylinders. I am worried about the injury to Kittle as there is a real possibility that he doesn’t suit up, but this star-studded 49ers offense should be fine either way. Many have the Steelers as a team that will surprise fans this season, and I agree, but I don’t think they have enough to top the 49ers in their opener.
Against the spread
LEAN STEELERS +2 (-110).
This is a very slight lean that you should play lightly as the 49ers are the more talented team, but I think the Steelers will keep this game very close.
I have questions about what Purdy will look like coming off his injury and while he was great for the 49ers last year, I am not sure that we will see quite that level of production this time around. If Pickett can perform the way he did in the preseason I expect the Steelers to be a much better team offensively than last year.
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 41.5 (-110).
These are 2 teams with very good defenses, and that will show in this game. The Steelers still have a very questionable offensive line and I expect Bosa and the 49ers’ phenomenal defensive line to expose that early and pressure Pickett on nearly every drop back. Similarly, I expect Tomlin and this Steelers defense full of crafty veterans to continue to be a very solid run stopping defense, putting more pressure on Purdy to make plays.
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