Will Big Ben’s errancy cost the Steelers against the Saints?
New Orleans rides the NFL wave’s crest this season. Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers’ 3rd-ranked passing attack must hang more than ten on the Saints to maintain their grip on the AFC North and a playoff spot.
Pittsburgh comes into New Orleans with the NFL’s 4th-ranked offence and 9th-best defence. The Saints are 7th and 11th respectively. If Mike Tomlin’s squad edges Sean Payton’s slightly on both sides of the ball, why is New Orleans playing for home field advantage in the NFC with a 12-2 record while Pittsburgh desperately clings to first in the AFC North at 8-5-1?
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One key factor is balance. Pittsburgh’s offence relies almost entirely on Ben Roethlisberger’s arm. Their running game ranks 30th overall. New Orleans ranks eighth in rushing and 13th in the air.
It’s the other side of the ball that offers the Steelers hope in this crucial matchup. That’s where the Saints are unbalanced, boasting the league’s best run resistance but trying to hide the 29th-rated passing defence. It hasn’t hurt them yet but those numbers play right into Roethlisberger’s hands. He’s more than ready to open an early present if the Saints secondary is in a giving mood.
Pittsburgh tailback James Conner picked the right week to sit out with an ankle injury although his shot at a 1,000-yard rushing campaign may fall 91 yards short if he isn’t back for the final week. Jay Samuel faces the Saints’ front seven in his place. Starting receiver and kick return specialist Ju-Ju Smith-Schuster is knocked up too but telling any reporter who’ll listen that he’s good to go.
The Saints are healthy. With the game under the dome, weather won’t be a factor. On its face, this one promises to be a wide-open affair.
Roethlisberger is threatening 5,000 yards passing. He comes into the game on 4,462 with 30 touchdown passes but also 15 interceptions. Turnovers are another problem for Pittsburgh. Drew Brees has thrown for 800 fewer yards but one more TD and just five INTs. Big Ben is the Steelers’ strongest asset but also their greatest weakness.
Drew Brees airs it out less than Ben Roethlisberger but less risk has led to greater reward.
The two clubs have met only three times since Brees came to the Mississippi Delta from San Diego in 2006. He lost the game in his first season but won the next two. The most recent meeting, in 2014, was the barnburner everyone expects in this one, with the Saints edging it 35-32.
Neither team brings much momentum into the game. The Saints have won two since suffering their second defeat to Dallas to end November. Pittsburgh ended a three-game losing streak in stunning fashion, knocking off the suddenly vulnerable New England Patriots 17-10 at Heinz Field. Both need to build on those meagre foundations with the playoffs looming.
The LINE has the Saints at -6.5. The TOTAL invites punters to bet the Over at 52.5. Both teams run hot streaks Against The Spread and with the Under on artificial turf. In addition, the Saints favour the Under in their last four games after surrendering 14 points or less while Pittsburgh is 4-0-1 ATS after covering or beating the Line the previous week, 4-1-1 after their most recent Straight Up wins.
Desperation is on the Steelers’ side. They have much more to lose. The problem is when they go for it, they crap out too often. Look for turnovers to kill their hopes in this one. Take New Orleans. Give the points.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Baltimore Ravens. Week 15 NFL Betting Preview for Sunday, December 16, 2018.
Written by National Football League ATS Analyst Bobby Wallace.
Charliessports.com produces it for Football News. NFL Sunday Betting Picks are comprised of our 500* Signature Selections. So make the smart decision and win alongside us, Enjoy the games!
The (5-8) SU, (5-7-1) ATS Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a slim chance at a wildcard spot after last weeks 28-14 loss to New Orleans as 10 point home UNDERDOGS ATS. Jameis Winston led Tampa Bay to a 14-3 halftime lead last week before getting shut down in the final two periods.
Tampa Bay is third in the division but is 1-5 SU on the road with games at Dallas, and they’ll play host to Atlanta to end the regular season.
Tampa Bay is 2-3-1 AGAINST THE POINT SPREAD their last six on the road.
The Buccaneers are 6-1-1 ATS their last eight following a double-digit SU defeat.
Tampa Bay is 1-5-1 ATS their last seven after an SU loss.
UNDER bettors have cashed in 5 of Tampa Bay last six in December.
The (7-6) SU/ATS Baltimore Ravens dropped a tough one 27-14 to Kansas City as 6 point road UNDERDOGS ATS.
Rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson kept the Chiefs defense on their heels with 147 passing yards along with a team-best 71 on the ground for the third consecutive ATS cover. Baltimore is a half-game behind first-place Pittsburgh in the AFC North.
Baltimore is 1-5 ATS their last six at home vs. A team with an SU losing record.
The home team is 0-4 AGAINST THE POINT SPREAD their last four between the teams.
Baltimore is 6-2 ATS their last eight in December.
Kickoff will be Sunday, December 16, 2018. Game time is at 1:00 PM EST at MT&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The FOX Television Network will be broadcasting.
The Betting Line has Tampa Bay at 7 point road UNDERDOGS AGAINST THE POINT SPREAD. The TOTAL is 46′ points for Sunday’s contest.
After quarterback Jameis Winston missed the first four games of 2018 for a suspension, they turned to veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick who led them to a 2-0 start. The Buccaneers have won three games since.
Head Coach Dirk Koetter is on the hot seat for the team’s performance in 2018. Making matter worse is last week’s sideline fiasco between Winston and Center Ryan Jensen in which they had to be separated. Fans in the area are wondering if Winston will be with the franchise next season.
The character issues he faced as the Heisman Trophy winner at Florida State are starting to show up at the professional level. Tampa Bay averages (331.4) yards per game through the air which lead the NFL while the (430.1) total yards per contest is second in the league. Tampa Bay averages (25.5) ppg which ranks 10th league wide but they’ll have a challenge against a ferocious Baltimore defense.
The coaching staff understands establishing a rushing attack is crucial they average (98.7) per contest on the ground although the Buccaneers defense did a good job last week against a prolific New Orleans offense they still are among the worst in the league.
Safety Chris Conte won’t play, and the Ravens could expose the backend with a rookie quarterback.
Bovada.Lv, list the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 6′ total wins for the win the 2018-19 season.
The Baltimore Ravens need a win to keep pace with Miami, Indianapolis, and Tennessee who all have the same record as Baltimore. Pittsburgh hosts New England while the Ravens will be rooting for the Patriots they must first take care of Tampa Bay.
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh is sticking with his rookie signal caller over a veteran who led them to a World Championship. The Ravens offense averages (369.6) total yards per contest which ranks 6th in league with the (134.2) ypg on the ground 4th in the NFL. The (471) rushing yards the Lamar Jackson leads the team. Running Back Alex Collins is out with a foot injury, and his absence hurts the running game.
On the other side of the football, the Baltimore defense Ravens allows (18.5) points per game 1st in both Conferences. The (293.9) yards per contest gave up is 2nd in football. Linebacker CJ Mosley leads the Raven with eighty-three tackles while Tony Jefferson has an interception. Baltimore allows (206.2) passing yards per contest is third league-wide, and they’ll get tested against the Buccaneers offense.
A key to a Ravens win is for the defense to get a constant pass rush on Winston.
Bovada.Lv, list the Baltimore Ravens at eight total wins for the 2018-19 season.
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