On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will travel west to Denver to play the Broncos at Mile High Stadium in an attempt to stay undefeated.
The Steelers’ 18–10 season-opening victory over the Atlanta Falcons shocked the NFL community. In the unexpected triumph, Pittsburgh’s strong defense forced three turnovers, and Justin Fields skillfully led the offense, throwing for 156 yards and running for 57 more.
In Bo Nix’s first NFL start, the Broncos lost 26–20 despite a valiant effort in Seattle. Nix ran for 35 yards and scored a touchdown while throwing for 138 yards, but he also made two costly interceptions in plus-territory.
We’ll examine the Pittsburgh vs. Denver game in Week 2 in detail, looking at the best bets and sports betting odds in Pennsylvania.
#HereWeGopic.twitter.com/5hnGpWcKt1 Mile High Matchup
Bo Nix vs. Steelers defense
For their victory in Atlanta, the Steelers defense appeared to be playing at a midseason level. They put pressure on veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was picked off twice and sacked twice.
As usual, T.J. Watt was particularly effective, recording three hits on Cousins, a sack, and a fumble recovery. In addition to holding the elite Falcons attack to just 226 total yards and only 10 points, Minkah Fitzpatrick led Pittsburgh with seven tackles.
plays from the Falcons’ defeatGo to https://t.co/XL7UQscxtdpic.twitter.com/ZitvSndJNQ for more information.
Even though Nix is the oldest rookie quarterback in NFL, it seems sense that the Steelers defense should be smelling blood against him since Pittsburgh was able to accomplish it on the road against a seasoned quarterback with excellent offensive tools.Watt has -166 odds to post more than 0.75 sacks versus Denver, according of DraftKings Sportsbook.
A year ago, the Seahawks allowed the 25th-most points per game, and Nix had a hard time against them. How will he perform against one of the NFL’s most formidable and star-studded defenses?
Steelers vs. Broncos odds
With an incredibly low Over/Under of 36.5 points, the Steelers will start as a 2.5-point road favorite over the Broncos at BetMGM Sportsbook. Although Nix led Denver to 20 points, the Broncos only managed one touchdown, and the defense of the Broncos, which recorded two second-quarter safeties, was responsible for four of those points.
By holding the Seahawks to only 112 first-half yards and nine points, the Broncos defense also put up a valiant fight to keep them in the game. However, the dam broke in the second half, as Seattle scored 17 points and the Denver offense only mustered 105 yards and one touchdown in the last 30 minutes.
Sportsbooks in Pennsylvania and Vegas predict that this will be a low-scoring contest that is settled by a field goal.
Let Justin Fields cook?
Russell Wilson, who was awful during his two seasons with the Broncos, was expected to return to Denver with this game. Although Wilson insisted on wearing full pads after being deemed inactive, he missed Pittsburgh’s season opener, leaving Fields as the starting quarterback in Atlanta.
Fields’ dual-threat rushing-passing skills give him a distinct edge over Wilson, and the Steelers are apparently anticipating that he will start again in Denver.
Additionally, with 70 yards on 20 carries in the first game, Najee Harris had a good day rushing the ball. Notably, Harris is available on FanDuel Sportsbook’s Anytime Touchdown Scorer line at +140 odds.
Against Denver, which gave the Seahawks offense 146 running yards, the rushing assault is crucial. After Fields connected George Pickens for 85 yards on six catches in the first game, Pittsburgh is a ground-and-pound club that could have an intermediate and deep passing approach if it can run the ball early.
Steelers vs Broncos betting
The Broncos have betting odds of about +130, while the Steelers have moneyline odds of about -155.
Caesars Sportsbook has the most profitable -3 odds at even money, while DraftKings offers the best spread for Steelers bettors at -2.5 with -120 odds.
Given that both Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III and quarterback Geno Smith scored a running touchdown in Week 1, the most convincing prop is either Harris or Fields scoring touchdowns. Harris is +195 and Fields is +240 for a TD at any point.
Boswell’s ability to make more than 1.5 field goals is another strong argument. He made six kicks in Pittsburgh’s first game, and when Pittsburgh crosses midfield in Denver’s thin air, it will be within field goal range.
Steelers vs Broncos prediction
Every season, a team surprises everyone by winning their first two games. The Steelers, who always win under Mike Tomlin despite having an offensive line that is obviously lacking in skill, will win this year. Pittsburgh should win the game by covering the point spread.