The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) look to keep their unlikely playoff run alive when they travel to play the New York Jets (5-9) at MetLife Stadium at 1 p.m. ET Sunday (on CBS). We analyze the Steelers-Jets odds and sports betting lines, while providing betting tips and advice on this Week 16 NFL matchup.
Steelers at Jets: Week 16 preview, betting trends and notes
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- The Steelers have owned the Jets, going 4-1 against the spread (ATS) over New York in their last five meetings.
- The last 16 times the Jets have played the Steelers, the total has hit the Under 13 times, averaging less than 31 combined points per game.
- The total has hit the Under in each of last six Steelers road games, averaging less than 36 points a game.
- The Jets are 0-3 against AFC North teams this season, having already lost to Baltimore, Cleveland and Cincinnati.
- Pittsburgh is 5-3-2 ATS in its last 10 games.
- Le’Veon Bell will be playing the Steelers for the first time on Sunday. Bell has struggled all season, but had his best rushing game of his Jets career last week when he rushed for 87 yards.
Steelers at Jets: Key injuries
Steelers: Six players sat out of Wednesday’s practice, but only two – CB Joe Haden (foot) and G Ramon Foster (not injury related) sat out Thursday.
Jets: 20 players are listed on their injury report, but just three didn’t practice – WR Robby Anderson (illness), OL Tom Compton (calf) and WR Demaryius Thomas (hamstring/knee). S Jamal Adams (ankle) and DL Quinnen Williams (neck) were both limited.
Steelers at Jets: Odds, betting lines and prediction
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:40 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Steelers 20, Jets 13
Moneyline (?)
This is a bet that is the football anomaly. If you think the Steelers (-173) are going to win, you don’t bet this one because the spread is only 2.5 points. If you’re going with the Jets (+140), this is your bet because getting 2-and-a-hook drops your return significantly (27 percent). Given how we think this one will turn out, we’ll PASS.
Against the Spread (?)
The opposite applies here. Giving up 2.5 points drops the investment in the Steelers down to -134. Typically, you try to find a point that will get even betting where the line is as close to -110 as possible. The Jets are +110 on this bet, enticing those who can envision a 14-13 game have the cushion. But we’re going with the Steelers defense on this one. Back PITTSBURGH (-2.5, -134).
New to sports betting? Every $1.34 wagered on the Steelers ATS will profit $1 if they win by 3 or more points.
Over/Under (?)
A total of 38.5 isn’t unheard of, but pretty rare on a weekly slate of games. There’s a reason the number is so low here. Solid defenses going up against young QBs who struggle when blitzed, which both teams do. The Under is the stiffer bet (-121) than the Over (+100) because the sportsbooks don’t believe the Over will hit, and the books are hedging. Unless there is a defensive/special teams touchdown (or two), it will be difficult to hit 40 points between the two of them. Take the UNDER 38.5 (+100).
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