Jets Steelers Betting – Roethlisberger, Steelers Come Out On Top In Defensive Showdown
Online betting players have watched the New York Jets fall down the AFC pecking order in recent weeks because of an offense that shoots blanks, which isn’t a good thing heading into Pittsburgh to face an opportunistic Pittsburgh Steelers defense. In a game featuring two strong defenses, we’re taking the Steelers and their quarterback at home over the Jets and their turnover-prone pivot.
- What: NFL betting
- When: Sunday, December 19th, 4:15 PM ET
- Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
- Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers -6.5
What’s On The Line
The Jets (9-4) failed to find the end zone in a second straight loss, falling 10-6 at home against AFC East rival Miami Dolphins, while the Steelers (10-3) rolled to a fourth straight win after a 23-7 victory over AFC North counterpart Cincinnati Bengals at home, meaning these conference contenders are in different spaces heading into this game. New York’s offense is in disarray, and they’re going up against a Pittsburgh defense that has stepped up their game since the New England Patriots picked them apart a month ago.
Offensive Matchups: Jets Steelers Betting
Nick Folk managed a couple of field goals for the Jets, who were 6-of-21 on third down, and they failed on all three of their fourth-down opportunities. Mark Sanchez was 17-of-44 for 216 yards and a pick, and even though it was pouring at the New Meadowlands, he made some truly awful throws. The Jets’ fifth-ranked rushing attack ran for 87 yards, and Sanchez was sacked six times in one of the worst games this line has played in a long time, and it wasn’t made any better by an injury to tackle Damien Woody. The receivers were dropping passes, and it was a complete travesty the way New York’s offense (which also had a pair of turnovers) played in this game.
Pittsburgh ran for 123 yards, while Ben Roethlisberger went 21-of-33 for 258 yards in an efficient performance. Hines Ward had eight catches for 115 yards, but it wasn’t all good for the Steelers failed to score a touchdown on all three of their red-zone visits. Against a better team, the Steelers would probably pay for not being able to put six points on the board once you get inside the 20-yard-line, and that’s something that the Steelers need to fix ahead of their meeting with the Jets.
Betting Edge: Steelers
Defensive Matchups: Jets Steelers Betting
The Jets’ defense tried their best to keep their team in this game, forcing three fumbles, they stopped the Dolphins on 12 of 15 third-down opportunities, and Miami managed just 131 yards against New York. The Jets had five sacks on the day, and you could tell this unit had a lot to prove after they were embarrassed by the Patriots in the last Monday night game. New York did everything right in this game, except keep Brandon Marshall out of the end zone in the first quarter, which was the difference in this game.
The Steelers picked off Carson Palmer three times, and two came at the hands of Troy Polamalu, who roomed with Palmer when the two starred at USC. Polamalu ran one back for a score, as did linebacker Lamarr Woodley (who also had two sacks), and the Pittsburgh defense had their way with the Bengals. They did give the Bengals a pair of first downs on penalties, but that happens with the Steelers, who may or may not be targeted by the officials, depending on who you speak to. But since giving up 39 points against the Patriots, the Steelers have allowed 36 points during their four-game winning streak.
Betting Edge: Draw
Notable Injuries: Jets Steelers Betting
Woody (knee) will be questionable for this game, while safety James Ihedigbo (ankle, knee) missed his first game of the season for the Jets. Running back Shonn Greene (undisclosed) also had to leave the Miami game and will have to be monitored.
Tight end Heath Miller (concussion) missed the Cincinnati game and will be watched this week, while backup defensive linemen Aaron Smith (triceps) and Steve McClendon (stinger) will try to get back into the lineup for the Steelers.
Betting Edge: Draw
Outlook and Pick: Jets Steelers Betting
NFL betting odds have the Steelers as a 6.5-point favorite against the Jets at home, and Pittsburgh hasn’t lost to the Jets in five home games since 1981, the last of which came in the 2005 playoffs. The Jets have a lot of offensive worries coming into this game, and it mainly starts with Sanchez, another former USC quarterback that will be aiming to avoid fellow alumni Polamalu, who is making big plays all over the place. This is going to be a low-scoring game given that both teams have strong defenses, but we’re going to give the edge to the Steelers and Roethlisberger at home to make a play when they need to. Sanchez has regressed in last year’s mode, when he was a turnover machine, and we think Pittsburgh’s defense will feast on that. Take Pittsburgh to cover the sports betting spread.
Stan’s Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
