The Pittsburgh Steelers opened some eyes with their offensive output in last week’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals. But can they do it again against a bottom-10 defense like the Arizona Cardinals? Let’s break down this matchup.
Cardinals vs. Steelers Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: Steelers -6.5
- Moneyline: Cardinals (+220), Steelers (-270)
- Over/Under: 41.5
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Acrisure Stadium
- Channel: CBS
Cardinals vs. Steelers Prediction
The first game for the Steelers in the post-Matt Canada era got mixed reviews. On one hand, Pittsburgh snapped a 58-game streak being held under 400 yards with its 421-yard effort in Week 12. It was also the first time all season that the Steelers outgained an opponent, a remarkable feat considering their 7-4 record.
Much-maligned Kenny Pickett and Najee Harris both put up season-high numbers against the Bengals, with Pickett throwing for 278 yards and Harris rushing for 99 yards.
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Then again, the Steelers still only managed 16 points, the sixth time in 11 games they’ve been held under 20 points.
So, what will this week bring for Pittsburgh as it faces the 26th-ranked team in total defense just one week after facing the 31st-ranked team in total defense (Bengals)? After all, the last time the Steelers had 400 or more yards in back-to-back games was Weeks 6-8 in 2018.
Pickett’s game was impressive considering how he broke from the norm. For example, Pickett had six pass completions of 15 or more yards last week after the team averaged a league-low 3.1 completions of 15+ yards per game over the first 11 weeks of the season.
And if the Steelers’ offense does indeed get going again, can the Cardinals keep up? Offensively, Arizona is just as mediocre as Pittsburgh, ranking in the bottom 10 in both total YPG (297.5 — 24th) and scoring (17.2 PPG — 25th).
Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray has at least one rushing and one passing touchdown in each of his last two games, but he’ll be facing a Steelers defense that might be playing at its best all season. Pittsburgh ranks top five in PPG allowed (18.6 — fifth) and takeaways (20 — T-fourth).
Even the return of former Steeler James Conner may not have that big of an impact when you consider that Pittsburgh held Cincinnati to just 25 yards on the ground last week, the fewest allowed by any team in the NFL this season.
Three key Cardinals’ pass catchers have been hit with the injury bug. Wide receivers Marquise Brown (heel), Michael Wilson (shoulder), and tight end Trey McBride (groin) are all banged up, with Wilson already ruled out this week and Brown and McBride questionable.
Defensive tackle Montravius Adams (ankle) is questionable for the Steelers.
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This will be only the fifth time all season the Steelers are a favorite, but they are 3-1 against the spread this season as a favorite, including a 2-0 mark ATS as a home favorite.
Arizona is 2-4 vs. the spread as a road dog, so that trend might be playing right into the Steelers’ hands.
On the surface, the Cardinals are the type of team that the Steelers have been pouncing on this season. Pittsburgh is 5-0 straight-up against teams that have a losing record.
Steelers fans are rejoicing over the fact that they may have discovered their offense. But, it should be noted that Pittsburgh still only managed 16 points last week against the Bengals after scoring only 10 points versus the Cleveland Browns the previous week.
Still, I don’t foresee Arizona putting up too many points in this matchup, so give me the Steelers in this game.
Best Bet: Steelers -6.5 (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
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