Pittsburgh’s 12-4 2020 season and AFC North Division championship was an impressive feat. But a 48-37 home playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns exposed them as a pretender. Pittsburgh’s inability to run the ball left quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the defense exposed. However, help is on the way. First-round draft pick Najee Harris of Alabama is the back that the Steelers have needed since LeVeon Bell’s defection. With Harris, Big Ben, and the Steel Curtain defense, NFL betting odds optimism is high. Pittsburgh could have one more Super Bowl run left in them.
2021 Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Odds
2021 Pittsburgh Steelers SBG Odds Overview
On the whole, the Steelers have one of the largest offshore betting fan bases in sport. Pittsburgh’s fan base is generational and worldwide. As a result, the Steelers can often be overlaid on the board. Too much public money floods the betting windows for most Pittsburgh matchups. But recent seasons in the abyss could bring prices down to a more reasonable level.
2021 Pittsburgh Steelers Overview
Without help from the backfield, Ben Roethlisberger still managed a 94.1 quarterback rating and 33/10 TD/INT ratio. Following his lost 2019 season, it was quite a comeback for Big Ben, age 39.
Second-year wide receiver Diontae Johnson enjoyed a considerable increase in production from his rookie campaign. Johnson improved from 59 to 88 catches, 680 to 923 in yards, and five to seven for touchdowns.
Also, it was a strong rookie season for wide receiver Chase Claypool, who totaled 62 receptions for 873 yards and nine touchdowns.
JuJu Smith Schuster helped supplement the lack of a reliable running game with 97 catches, 831 yards, and nine touchdowns. Specifically, in 2018 he caught 111 passes for 1426 yards and 7 TDs. Smith Schuster and Roethlisberger are a tandem of trust.
Of course, the hopes of Steel City rest with Najee Harris. While with Alabama, Harris played in a near carbon copy of the Steelers offense. He is the workhorse back that will force opposing defenses to play honestly.
Correlate Pittsburgh’s defense ranked third in the NFL for both points allowed and overall. Linebacker TJ Watt was a monster with 15 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, seven passes defended, one interception, and two forced fumbles. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt added 11 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. And then safety Minkah Fitzpatrick led with four interceptions, 11 passes defended, and a touchdown.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has been in his current role since 2007. To be exact, he’s only the third Pittsburgh head coach since 1969. In 2008 Tomlin led the Steelers to the Super Bowl title. In sum, his Pro football Bets win percentage is .650. Tomlin has never had a losing season and missed the playoffs just five times.
Week three brings a potential Super Bowl matchup at the Green Bay Packers. While Week 13 and 18 matchups with the arch-rival Baltimore Ravens will likely decide the AFC North title. And a week 17 Monday Night game at the Cleveland Browns will loom large as well.
2021 Pittsburgh Steelers SBG NFL Free Picks
Overall, the Steelers are a model pro sports franchise that emphasizes stability and professionalism. However, fans are getting restless, with Pittsburgh’s last Super Bowl appearance in the 2010 campaign.
2021 Pittsburgh Steelers SBG Best Bet: Over 8.5 Wins.