Raiders Steelers Betting – Raiders Try To Hang Onto First Place In AFC West
The Pittsburgh Steelers are used to being in first place. The Oakland Raiders are not. A very intriguing clash is set for Sunday afternoon in the Steel City.
NFL Betting: Oakland Raiders @ Pittsburgh Steelers Online Betting Odds: Steelers -7
Why To Bet On The Raiders
The Raiders, for so many years a downtrodden and dysfunctional franchise, have finally found life and a reason to believe in themselves. Coach Tom Cable is overseeing a renaissance of sorts in the Bay Area, as the Silver and Black have won three straight games to vault into first place in the AFC West. Oakland looked to be in disarray after losing to the lowly San Francisco 49ers and falling to 2-4 on the season, but a bold response to adversity has enabled this team to turn around its 2010 campaign, at least for the time being. A huge offensive explosion fueled a 59-14 win at the Denver Broncos, and then the Raiders’ defense smothered Seattle in a 33-3 decision. The following week, though, marks the moment that really began to change minds about this club. The Raiders played a sloppy game, the kind of game they normally would have lost over the past several seasons. However, thanks to some clutch playmaking from receiver Jacoby Ford, the Raiders tied the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of regulation and then knocked the Chiefs out of first place by prevailing in overtime, 23-20. The Raiders should be breathing confidence following a bye week and should be quite rested as they gear up for the Steelers, whose defense got eviscerated by the New England Patriots this past Sunday. Before the season, this mid-November venture to Pittsburgh did not look promising for the Raiders, but now, this team certainly has the attitude and the swagger that will make a victory possible against the Steelers.
Why To Bet On The Steelers
There are two primary reasons to pick Pittsburgh in this game, and they’re not part of the Xs and Os of this matchup. The logic behind a Pittsburgh betting play in this game is rooted in two realities: First, teams don’t lose every game, and they often face a lot more urgency to win when they’re coming off a loss the previous week. Pittsburgh just got dusted at home by New England, so in the world of betting odds, it makes sense to think that the Steelers won’t lose two in a row at Heinz Field. Coach Mike Tomlin’s team will be very motivated to get things right in this game and correct the many mistakes it made in a double-digit loss to the Patriots.
The other reason to take Pittsburgh is the flip side of the above reason. Much as the percentages say that the Steelers won’t lose two in a row at home, the odds also suggest that Oakland won’t win four in a row. The Raiders were indeed fortunate to beat Kansas City; yes, they took advantage of their good luck, but they’re still bucking the laws of averages if they go to Western Pennsylvania and beat the co-leader of the AFC North. The pendulum usually swings back to the middle. That means Pittsburgh should win this game.
How The Game Will Play Out
Indeed, the Raiders’ run of good fortune will end, while Pittsburgh will come out angry after losing to New England. Expect an authoritative performance from the Steelers and a sloppy effort from the Raiders. Take Pittsburgh this Sunday.
Raiders Steelers Betting Pick: Steelers
