Thursday Night Football picks and prop bets: The Steelers and Vikings grab on to each other to keep from spinning out

Two untrustable teams tee off on each other in the Twin Cities.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have suffered through two different three-week winless stretches this season to knock them to the fringes of playoff contention. They did not, however, lose to the Detroit Lions.

That honor instead belongs to the Minnesota Vikings. On Thursday night, the first “1” in Detroit’s 1-10-1 record will take on the latter in prime time as each team tries to claw its way back into the postseason.

It’s been a season of seemingly random swells and deflation in both Pittsburgh and Minneapolis this fall. The Steelers held the dynamic offenses of the Bills and Ravens to fewer than 20 points in statement victories but also got swept by the Bengals by an aggregate score of 65-20 and couldn’t beat the Lions en route to a 6-5-1 record. The Vikings are borderline lucky to be 1-1 vs. Detroit, but also beat the Packers and Chargers to cut a 5-7 record that still leaves them within one game of a Wild Card spot.

So here we have two teams, left in the middle of an ice-coated pond, struggling to find traction that can get them out of the wilderness and to the shores of a playoff berth. Pittsburgh has some positive momentum after knocking off the Ravens, but Minnesota has homefield advantage and more to prove in a game that isn’t quite a “must win,” but is getting pretty dang close.

So who’ll escape to muddy up the postseason picture another week longer? Let’s talk about it. All odds via Tipico.

First look: Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings odds and lines

Looking at Thursday’s Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings Week 14 NFL odds, lines and trends. Here’s what you need to know.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1) are on the road in Week 14 for Thursday Night Football with the Minnesota Vikings (5-7). Kickoff from U.S. Bank Stadium is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Steelers vs. Vikings odds and lines; check back for our NFL picks and predictions.

The Steelers ended a three-game winless streak with a narrow 20-19 victory over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 13. Baltimore dominated time of possession 36:30 to 23:30, but Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger led two fourth-quarter scoring drives in the final 7:18 en route to finishing with 236 passing yards and 2 touchdowns.

WR Diontae Johnson was Big Ben’s primary target, reeling in 8 receptions on 11 targets for 105 yards and both touchdown scores. Rookie RB Najee Harris paced the backfield with 71 yards on 21 carries.

The Vikings were the first team to fall to the Detroit Lions this season as they lost 29-27. Minnesota found itself with a 6-0 first-quarter lead on the strength of two PK Greg Joseph field goals but trailed 20-6 at halftime.

Two fourth-quarter touchdowns (passes to WRs K.J. Osborn and Justin Jefferson) gave the Vikings a lead with 1:50 remaining, but the defense didn’t hold as Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown scored the winning touchdown as time expired.

Also see: All Week 14 odds and lines

Steelers at Vikings odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 7:51 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Steelers +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Vikings -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Steelers +3.5, -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Vikings -3.5, -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 44.5, O: -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | U: -105 (bet $105 to win $100)

Also see: Betting 101

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2021 betting stats:

  • ML: Steelers 6-5-1 | Vikings 5-7
  • ATS: Steelers 5-7 | Vikings 6-6
  • O/U: Steelers 4-8 | Vikings 7-5

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Steelers at Vikings head-to-head

The Steelers and Vikings have met 18 times since 1962 with the series tied 9-9. The two clubs met at Super Bowl IX (1975), which the Steelers won 16-6.

The last time the two teams met was in 2017 when Pittsburgh recorded a 26-9 victory at home. The Steelers are 2-1 SU/ATS and the O/U is 1-2 over the last three meetings dating to 2009.

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