The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the road for the second week in a row, aiming to secure a win after a successful debut. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos are looking to rebound in their first home game following a loss in their season opener.
Current NFL Week 2 odds indicate that the Steelers are favored by 2.5 points at various online sportsbooks, raising questions about whether this is justified for a team that failed to score a touchdown last week.
With the Steelers favored by 2.5 points across top betting platforms, it appears that oddsmakers might be enticing bettors. While betting on Pittsburgh may seem appealing, considering a win by a field goal suffices, wagering on a road team can be precarious.
For those opting to avoid the point spread, the Steelers’ moneyline is offered at odds ranging from -140 to -154 at FanDuel. Alternatively, if you believe the Broncos can claim victory at home, their moneyline prices are set between +118 and +130. The over/under for this matchup is set at 36.5 points, marking it as the lowest total for NFL Week 2.
There are several reasons Pittsburgh may succeed as the favored team. The Steelers possess a robust defense coupled with a seasoned coach, an advantageous combination in today’s NFL landscape. Although their offense may not be explosive, their defensive strength and coaching acumen keep them competitive in most games. Despite not scoring touchdowns in last week’s victory against Atlanta, quarterback Justin Fields managed to lead six scoring drives.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s game in Denver, the Steelers may face another tough contest, but their recent experience of winning while managing to score just enough points may be beneficial. Fields is expected to take the start once again as Russell Wilson is sidelined with a calf injury, and he should be ready to contribute more after finding his rhythm with the team.
The Broncos, led by veteran coach Sean Payton, also have a solid chance to pull off a win as the underdog. Following a loss, Payton knows how to prepare his team effectively. Last week’s loss against Seattle made it difficult for rookie quarterback Bo Nix in his inaugural start. This matchup presents a new opportunity for Denver as they return home, where they generally perform better. Although they started strong against Seattle, they struggled to maintain their lead in the second half.
In predicting the outcome of the Steelers versus Broncos, it’s important to note that while Pittsburgh secured their win last week, their lack of touchdowns is concerning. Strong defense and coaching are critical, but points on the board are necessary. Although the Steelers are likely to remain competitive, being favored in this road game seems unjustified, with the point spread appearing to overreact to their previous week’s performance.
Given that Denver has shown resilience rather than being dominated by Seattle, they may be more prepared than anticipated under Nix’s leadership. Expect the Broncos to potentially cover the spread, and they might even secure an outright victory.