The AFC North leading Pittsburgh Steelers play host to the AFC East leading New England Patriots in NFL week 8 action. The opening NFL Point Spread Line for this game was posted with the Steelers as (+2.5) home underdogs. The spread has now moved half a point to (+3) with most sportsbooks. While the point spread has seen the Steelers move out by half a point the moneyline odds have moved in the other direction. The opening moneyline odds were Pittsburgh +136 (2.36) and New England -150 (1.67), with the current prices being Steelers +127 (2.27) and the Patriots -140 (1.71). The current over under total is o/u 52.5 which is out half a point from the opening.
Season to date the Pittsburgh Steelers are 5-2 straight up with wins over the Seahawks (24-0), Colts (23-20), Titans (38-17), Jaguars (17-13) and Cardinals (32-20). Their two defeats have come against the Ravens (7-35) and Texans (10-17). Against the closing point spread the Steelers are 3-4 and in over under betting they have had 4 games go over and 3 stay under the closing line. The New England Patriots on the other hand have a 5-1 straight up record with wins over the Dolphins (38-24), Chargers (35-21), Raiders (31-19), Jets (30-21) and Cowboys (20-16). The Patriots only loss was in week 3 against the Bills (31-34). Against the spread the Patriots are 4-2 and in totals betting they are 3-3.
When it comes to average points scored per match the Patriots have been fairly consistent with 30 points or more scored in all except one of their games. They have scored an average of 30.83 points per game and allowed an average of 22.5, for a healthy point's differential of +1.39. By comparison the Steelers have averaged 21.57 on offense and allowed 17.43 in defense for a differential of +.59.
History favors the Patriots in this matchup with 7 of the last 10 games going their way in NFL Odds Betting and they have covered the spread 8 from 10. There has also been a leaning toward the over in the totals betting with 7 games going over and 3 staying under the closing line.
Comparing key quarterback stats we see that Tom Brady is ranked 3rd in the league for average passing yards per game with (360.5). He has thrown 16 touchdowns passes in 6 games. Ben Roethlisberger is ranked 5th for passing yards with an average of 276.7 while having 12 TD passes to his name.
The verdict - theFootballLines.com numbers show a play on the Steelers. We are happy to take the Steelers at home against a Patriots team that is coming off the bye, both on the moneyline and the spread.