Tag: james conner

Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers sports betting odds and lines, with Week 15 NFL betting picks, tips and bets.

The Buffalo Bills (9-4) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) were flexed into the Sunday Night Football spot and they’ll meet at 8:20 p.m. ET at Heinz Field. We analyze the Bills-Steelers sports betting odds and lines, with NFL betting picks and tips for the Week 15 matchup.

Bills at Steelers: Week 15 preview, betting trends and notes

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  • The Bills will lean upon their suffocating defense, looking to shut down the Steelers. Buffalo ranks third in the NFL in total yards allowed (296.8), third in passing yards allowed (191.5) and second in points allowed (16.3).
  • Buffalo ranks fifth in the NFL with 135.3 rushing yards per game, but is just 27th in passing yards at 206.6 per outing.
  • The Steelers are also stout defensively, ranking fifth in the NFL with 310.9 total yards allowed and 209.8 passing yards allowed. They’re also ninth against the run, yielding 101.2 yards per game, and they’re sixth in the NFL in points allowed at 18.6.
  • Offensively it has been a struggle for the Steelers, checking in 28th with 290.1 total yards per game, and 31st in passing yards (195.5). They have managed just 19.9 PPG to rank 23rd
  • The Bills are 6-0-1 ATS in the past seven on the road, and 4-1-1 ATS in the past six overall.
  • The Steelers are 5-1 ATS in the past six overall, while going 5-1 ATS in the past six at home.
  • Buffalo is making its first appearance on SNF since facing the New England Patriots during the 2007 season.

Bills at Steelers: Key injuries

Bills: DT Corey Liuget (lower body) is a question mark, while RB T.J. Yeldon (illness) is under the weather.

Steelers: RBs James Conner (shoulder) and Jaylen Samuels (groin) are question marks, with Conner likely closer to a return. WR Juju Smith-Schuster (knee) is close to a return, while TE Vance McDonald (concussion) is in the protocol and a question mark.

Bills at Steelers: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 8:10 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Steelers 20, Bills 16

Moneyline (?)

The STEELERS (-129) have the advantage since they’re playing at home, but that’s about it. This is a coin-flip game with major AFC playoff implications. That’s why NBC flexed it to SNF. The difference in this one will be if Conner and Smith-Schuster both return. If so, advantage Pittsburgh on its home turf in front of a raucous crowd. Even if one or both cannot go, coach Mike Tomlin is doing an exceptional job with the personnel he has, and the Steelers are just finding ways to win.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Bucs moneyline returns a $7.75 profit with a Pittsburgh victory.

Against the Spread (?)

The STEELERS (-2.5, -106) are worth a small-unit play at home, again, especially if Conner and/or Smith-Schuster return. The bright lights of SNF might be a bit much for QB Josh Allen and the unproven Bills.

Over/Under (?)

PASS. The O/U of 36.5 (-106 Over; -1115 Under) is risky business, as both of these teams feature tremendous defensive units with unproven quarterbacks and a solid run game when healthy. If anything, the lean is to the Under, although this is the lowest game on the Week 15 board. Take a pass on the total.

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Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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5 storylines to watch for during Bills at Steelers

The Buffalo Bills and Steelers will play a big-time, primetime game in Week 15 as the two AFC opponents will faceoff in a pivotal late season contest. 

The Buffalo Bills and Steelers will play a big-time, primetime game in Week 15 as the two AFC opponents will faceoff in a pivotal late season contest.

Sunday Night Football will bear down on the Bills this week, and while Buffalo fell to the Ravens last week, they certainly held their own against the Cowboys during their Thanksgiving primetime showcase.

With that, here are five storylines to follow as the Bills take on the Steelers:

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Playoff implications on Sunday night

As mentioned, the Bills will have to handle their business in front of more eyes than usual this week. Buffalo and Pittsburgh will wrap up the Sunday slate of football at Heinz Field just a short drive from western New York. There should be a decent showing of Bills fans, and the team itself can be confident in their primetime abilities. Not only did they beat the Cowboys on the road, they also did so in the most watched Thanksgiving Day game in a couple of years. A lot of eyes saw that Bills team.

But this time around this one some huge playoff implications. The 8-5 Steelers host the 9-4 Bills. A win and the Bills are in. A win and the Steelers jump the Bills and hit the first Wild Card spot. For head-to-head purposes and their own fates, this game is massive for both sides.

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7 things to know about the Bills’ Week 15 opponent, the Steelers

Seven things to know about the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Buffalo Bills’ Week 15 opponent.

The Bills earned another primetime football slot this season in their Week 15 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which will take place on Sunday Night Football.

Like any late-season AFC battle for a team with a winning record, this one is important. Win and the Bills are in the playoffs. But the Steelers have plenty of reason to fight, too.

With that, here are seven things to know about the Bills’ Week 15 opponent, the Steelers:

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Hot streak puts Pitt in Wild Card battle

Sure, the Bills are in the Wild Card battle. But so are the Steelers.

After a 0-3 start to the season, the Steelers have gotten red hot and at the right time. No easy late games for the Bills, apparently.

Pittsburgh has won seven of their last eight games at sit with eight wins overall, right behind the Bills, who have nine. With that in mind, the Steelers enter the game as the second Wild Card holder in the AFC, with the Bills holding the first one. The winner will hold the fifth-seed in the playoffs after this one. For Buffalo a win will lock up a playoff berth with two games remaining as well.

Included in that hot streak is a promising record on their home turf, too. The Steelers are 5-2 at home this season.

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Steelers final injury report: RB James Conner, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster out

They will miss their third game in a row for the Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers released their final injury report of the week on Friday. They will be without two starters on offense, but they were mostly expected.

Ruled out

  • RB James Conner (shoulder)
  • WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee)

Conner was limited for the third day in a row, but he told reporters himself that he would not play this weekend and that his practice reps were only with the scout team.

Smith-Schuster sat out all three days of practice. Both are missing their third straight game.

No one else on the roster has a game designation and no one else was even limited in practice on Friday with an injury. Linebacker Mark Barron was listed as limited but it was a partial day off.

The Cardinals and Steelers kick off at State Farm Stadium Sunday afternoon at 2:25 p.m. Arizona time.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

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Steelers injury report: James Conner out, JuJu Smith-Schuster misses 2nd day in a row

Check out the practice report for the Steelers from Thursday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers released their second injury report of the week on Thursday. It appears they will be without two of their offensive starters this weekend.

Two players sat out of practice on Thursday and another was limited.

Did not practice

  • G Ramon Foster (day off)
  • WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee)

JuJu missed practice for the second day in a row, making it less likely that he is able to play against the Cardinals.

Limited

  • RB James Conner (shoulder)

Conner is getting limited work but revealed he is only getting some reps with the scout team. He ruled himself out of the game this weekend.

WR Diontae Johnson (illness) was upgraded from limited on Wednesday to practicing fully Thursday.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

[protected-iframe id=”ee3442976e811ebdf9032e21cf434833-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20478076/download.mp3″ ]

Steelers RB James Conner rules himself out, says he will not play vs. Cardinals

The only work in practice he has gotten has been with the scout team.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will not release their official final injury report until after practice on Friday. However, we do know the game status of running back James Conner because he broke the news himself.

He told reporters on Thursday he would not play against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

He has missed the last two weeks with a shoulder injury.

He has, though gotten limited work in practice this week, both on Wednesday and Thursday. He clarified what practice work that was, indicating that he is feeling “a little better.”

“I’ve been able to take little reps with the scout team,” he said. “I don’t want take any of game reps from some of the guys that are going to be active. It’s nice to just get out there and run around, though.”

He wouldn’t commit to being able to play in the weeks to go. “I don’t want to look that far ahead,” he said.

Conner is the Steelers’ leading rusher with 390 yards and four touchdowns.

With Conner out, the Steelers will use Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels at running back. Snell has had 161 yards in the last two weeks.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

[protected-iframe id=”ee3442976e811ebdf9032e21cf434833-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20478076/download.mp3″ ]

Steelers vs. Cardinals: No James Conner this week

The Steelers will be without their top running back again this week.

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Despite getting some practice reps in this week, Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner will miss another week with his ongoing shoulder injury. The Steelers take on the Arizona Cardinals this week on the road.

Conner told the press he won’t play on Sunday but the team’s official game status report will come out on Friday.

This season has been a wash for Conner after making the Pro Bowl last year. Conner only has 390 rushing yards for the season and this will be his fifth missed game of the year.

With Conner out again, it will be a heavy dose of Benny Snell Jr. and Jaylen Samuels powering the run game. The entire Steelers offense has struggled this season but with games against the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens coming up, it would be better to have a 100 percent Conner in those games.

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Steelers injury report: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster misses Wednesday practice

Three players were out and two limited for Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers began their week of practice preparing for the Arizona Cardinals. They released their first injury report and three players sit out.

Only one was because of an injury, but it is an important player because it was receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Did not practice

  • LB Mark Barron (day off)
  • TE Vance McDonald (day off)
  • WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee)

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday he was not sure if Smith-Schuster would be able to play and made it seem unlikely he would practice Wednesday. He did not. However, he no longer has a concussion listed. It is just the knee.

Two players were limited.

Limited

  • RB James Conner (shoulder)
  • WR Diontae Johnson (illness)

Conner has missed two games. Getting limited work is good news for the Steelers. Johnson hopefully will be well soon.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

[protected-iframe id=”ee3442976e811ebdf9032e21cf434833-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20478076/download.mp3″ ]

Steelers’ James Conner, JuJu Smith-Schuster have uncertain status for game vs. Cardinals

Mike Tomlin didn’t know early in the week how much work both will be able to get in this week.

The Arizona Cardinals will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend at State Farm Stadium. Pittsburgh has had to deal with a number of injuries and have been without two of their top offensive players — running back James Conner and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Conner has been dealing with a shoulder injury and has missed the last two games. Smith-Schuster has a concussion and a knee injury that has kept him out of the last two games as well.

While the first injury report of the week will come out Wednesday afternoon, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin indicated he does not know yet whether they will be back to play against the Cardinals.

“I’d probably characterize both guys as questionable as I stand here today,” he told reporters Tuesday. “They’ve got some work in front of them in terms of rehabilitation and maybe practice participation. We’ll see where all of that leads. I really just don’t have an indication of what that might be as I sit here today.”

Tomlin said Conner probably has a better chance of practicing Wednesday.

Benny Snell has gotten the majority of the rushing attempts in Conner’s absence. In the last two games, he has rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown.

James Washington has stepped up in Smith-Schuster’s place. He had three receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown two weeks ago and four for 111 and a score last weekend.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

[protected-iframe id=”ee3442976e811ebdf9032e21cf434833-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/20478076/download.mp3″ ]

 

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers sports betting odds and lines, with Week 13 NFL betting picks, tips and bets.

The Cleveland Browns (5-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) renew acquaintances at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Heinz Field. We analyze the Browns-Steelers sports betting odds and lines, with NFL betting picks and tips for the Week 13 matchup.

Browns at Steelers: Week 13 preview, betting trends and notes

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  • The Browns meet the Steelers for the first time since their brawl in the closing seconds of a Week 11 game which ended in a 21-7 Cleveland win.
  • Steelers QB Mason Rudolph, at the center of the brawl when he was hit on the head by his own helmet, is benched in favor of QB Devlin Hodges, an undrafted free-agent rookie.
  • The Steelers currently hold the sixth spot in the AFC playoff race, but the Browns are just one game back and have already beaten the Steelers once.
  • The last time the Browns won a game in Pittsburgh was 2003, when Cleveland QB Baker Mayfield was just eight years old.
  • The Browns are just 6-21-2 against the spread in the past 29 games vs. teams with a winning record.
  • Cleveland is 4-1-1 ATS in the past six meetings in this series, and the Over is 4-1 in the past five battles in Pittsburgh.

Browns at Steelers: Key injuries

Browns: OT Greg Robinson (concussion) and DE Olivier Vernon (knee) are questionable.

Steelers: CB Artie Burns (knee) is listed as questionable, while RB James Conner (shoulder) is doubtful. WR Juju Smith-Schuster (concussion, knee) remains out.

Browns at Steelers: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 3:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Steelers 23, Browns 20

Moneyline (?)

The STEELERS (+115) are short dogs at home, but they’re worth a roll of the dice. The Browns (-139) are on a season-high three-game winning streak but have struggled over the years in Pittsburgh and it’s hard to see them getting over that hump.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the moneyline returns an $11.50 profit with a Pittsburgh victory.

Against the Spread (?)

The STEELERS (+1.5, +100) are a better value on the moneyline, so it’s better to just take them outright to win. If they cover, they’re going to hit the moneyline, too. Why not make a few more dollar bills?

Over/Under (?)

OVER 39.5 (-106) is worth a small-unit bet. It’s hard to trust a Pittsburgh offense without Conner and Smith-Schuster, while starting a UDFA under center. But this one has the potential to at least be in the 40’s.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. Looking for more sports betting picks and tips? Visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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