Preview: Steelers (6-6) at Browns (1-11)
Date: December 10, 2009 8:20 PM EDT
The defending Super Bowl champs are in trouble. After last week?s galling 27-24 home loss to Oakland as a 14 1/2-point favorite, Pittsburgh (6-6 straight up, 4-8 against the spread) goes to the Dawg Pound tonight looking to end a four-game losing streak.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Pittsburgh as a nine-point favorite with a total of 38. As of early this morning, most betting shops had the Steelers favored by 10 with the total reduced to 33. Gamblers can back the Browns to win outright for a plus-400 return (risk $100 to win $400).
Cleveland (1-11 SU, ATS) has more problems than its AFC North visitors, but at least they?ve hooked up their backers in their last three games. That?s right, Eric Mangin?s team has cashed tickets three consecutive times out, including last week?s 30-23 loss to San Diego as a 13 ?-point home underdog.
The Chargers got ahead of the number at 30-14 on a 22-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding with 4:16 remaining. But the Browns got the backdoor cover thanks to an eight-yard touchdown pass from Brady Quinn to Jerome Harrison with two minutes left. The Browns tacked on a field goal to make it a one-possession game with Phil Dawson?s 49-yard boot, but they would get no closer in their upset bid.
Quinn completed 25-of-45 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. The third-year quarterback out of Notre Dame is starting to get into a groove with a pair of promising rookie wide receivers, Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massoquoi.
Over the last three weeks, Quinn has produced seven TD passes without getting picked off. Robiskie had four receptions for 69 yards against the Bolts, while Massaquoi had five catches for 115 yards in a 38-37 loss at Detroit three weeks ago.
Back to the Steelers, who might be missing WR Hines Ward, who is ?questionable? with a hamstring injury. Ward is enjoying another stellar year with 72 receptions for 922 yards and six touchdowns. He and Ben Roethlisberger have combined to win two Super Bowls, but you have to question the current chemistry between the QB-WR combo.
A few years back, Big Ben publicly urged the front office to acquire a ?tall? WR for him to throw to, which came off as a shot at Ward. Then last week, Ward questioned Roethlisberger?s absence from the lineup in a loss at Baltimore when he was a late scratch due to lingering concussion symptoms.
In both instances, the QB and WR issued apologies, but is everything ?all good?? Whatever the case, there?s no doubt that Mike Tomlin?s team desperately needs a victory for morale and its playoff hopes.
Pittsburgh is one of four teams who are one game back of the Jags for the AFC?s last wild-card spot. Remember, the Steelers failed to make the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl in 2006. They are in this predicament because of their road struggles, limping to a 2-4 record both SU and ATS when leaving the friendly confines of Heinz Field.
Tomlin?s team has been a double-digit ?chalk? four times in 2009. The Steelers are 0-4 ATS in those situations. They are clearly missing play-making safety Troy Polamalu, who will miss his fourth straight game tonight.
The defense has given up fourth-quarter leads in each of the last three losses, including last week?s embarrassment against the Raiders. Bruce Gradkowski, the back-up QB for an offense ranked 31st in the NFL, found rookie WR Louis Murphy for a pair of touchdown passes in the final stanza.
But the Browns might be just what the doctor ordered for the Steelers, who beat them for the 12th straight time on Oct. 18. They won a 27-14 decision but Cleveland backers took the money as a 14-point underdog. Roethlisberger threw for 417 yards and a pair of TDs.
Cleveland ranks last in the NFL in total defense, giving up more than 400 yards per game. This unit is also missing its bets player, dominant run-stuffing nose tackle Shaun Rogers who is missing his second straight game after going on injured reserve. Veteran RB Jamal Lewis (concussion) is also on IR and DL C.J. Mosely joined them on Monday.
The ?over? has hit in three straight Pittsburgh games. For the season, the ?over? is 7-5 overall for the Steelers, 4-2 in their road games.
The ?under? is 7-5 overall for the Browns, but the ?over? is 3-2 in their home games.
The conditions are going to be a major factor tonight. According to weather.com, the low temperature will be 14 degrees with heavy wind and snow. Winds could be in the 25-35 mph range.
The NFL Network will have the telecast at 8:20 p.m. Eastern.
--The ?over? is 6-2-1 in the last nine head-to-head meetings between the Browns and Steelers.
--For what it?s worth (if anything), the ?over? is 4-0 in Pittsburgh?s four games as a double-digit favorite this year.
--Houston RB Steve Slaton (thumb, shoulder) has been placed on IR and will miss the remainder of the season.
--Philadelphia RB Brian Westbrook returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis. He has sustained two concussions this season and has missed three straight games. The Eagles are one-point underdogs in the Meadowlands against the Giants on Sunday night. Westbrook hasn?t been ruled out against the G-Men, but bettors should consider him ?doubtful? until further notice.
--Jets head coach Rex Ryan has decided to start Kellen Clemens at quarterback in Sunday?s game at Tampa Bay. Mark Sanchez was ruled ?out? Wednesday after spraining his knee in last Thursday?s win vs. Buffalo (in Toronto).
--The other rookie QB starter, Detroit?s Matthew Stafford, will also rest his sore shoulder against the Ravens. Veteran QB Daunte Culpepper will get the starting nod for the Lions, who are 13 ?-point road favorites.
Date: December 10, 2009 8:20 PM EDT
The defending Super Bowl champs are in trouble. After last week?s galling 27-24 home loss to Oakland as a 14 1/2-point favorite, Pittsburgh (6-6 straight up, 4-8 against the spread) goes to the Dawg Pound tonight looking to end a four-game losing streak.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Pittsburgh as a nine-point favorite with a total of 38. As of early this morning, most betting shops had the Steelers favored by 10 with the total reduced to 33. Gamblers can back the Browns to win outright for a plus-400 return (risk $100 to win $400).
Cleveland (1-11 SU, ATS) has more problems than its AFC North visitors, but at least they?ve hooked up their backers in their last three games. That?s right, Eric Mangin?s team has cashed tickets three consecutive times out, including last week?s 30-23 loss to San Diego as a 13 ?-point home underdog.
The Chargers got ahead of the number at 30-14 on a 22-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding with 4:16 remaining. But the Browns got the backdoor cover thanks to an eight-yard touchdown pass from Brady Quinn to Jerome Harrison with two minutes left. The Browns tacked on a field goal to make it a one-possession game with Phil Dawson?s 49-yard boot, but they would get no closer in their upset bid.
Quinn completed 25-of-45 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. The third-year quarterback out of Notre Dame is starting to get into a groove with a pair of promising rookie wide receivers, Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massoquoi.
Over the last three weeks, Quinn has produced seven TD passes without getting picked off. Robiskie had four receptions for 69 yards against the Bolts, while Massaquoi had five catches for 115 yards in a 38-37 loss at Detroit three weeks ago.
Back to the Steelers, who might be missing WR Hines Ward, who is ?questionable? with a hamstring injury. Ward is enjoying another stellar year with 72 receptions for 922 yards and six touchdowns. He and Ben Roethlisberger have combined to win two Super Bowls, but you have to question the current chemistry between the QB-WR combo.
A few years back, Big Ben publicly urged the front office to acquire a ?tall? WR for him to throw to, which came off as a shot at Ward. Then last week, Ward questioned Roethlisberger?s absence from the lineup in a loss at Baltimore when he was a late scratch due to lingering concussion symptoms.
In both instances, the QB and WR issued apologies, but is everything ?all good?? Whatever the case, there?s no doubt that Mike Tomlin?s team desperately needs a victory for morale and its playoff hopes.
Pittsburgh is one of four teams who are one game back of the Jags for the AFC?s last wild-card spot. Remember, the Steelers failed to make the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl in 2006. They are in this predicament because of their road struggles, limping to a 2-4 record both SU and ATS when leaving the friendly confines of Heinz Field.
Tomlin?s team has been a double-digit ?chalk? four times in 2009. The Steelers are 0-4 ATS in those situations. They are clearly missing play-making safety Troy Polamalu, who will miss his fourth straight game tonight.
The defense has given up fourth-quarter leads in each of the last three losses, including last week?s embarrassment against the Raiders. Bruce Gradkowski, the back-up QB for an offense ranked 31st in the NFL, found rookie WR Louis Murphy for a pair of touchdown passes in the final stanza.
But the Browns might be just what the doctor ordered for the Steelers, who beat them for the 12th straight time on Oct. 18. They won a 27-14 decision but Cleveland backers took the money as a 14-point underdog. Roethlisberger threw for 417 yards and a pair of TDs.
Cleveland ranks last in the NFL in total defense, giving up more than 400 yards per game. This unit is also missing its bets player, dominant run-stuffing nose tackle Shaun Rogers who is missing his second straight game after going on injured reserve. Veteran RB Jamal Lewis (concussion) is also on IR and DL C.J. Mosely joined them on Monday.
The ?over? has hit in three straight Pittsburgh games. For the season, the ?over? is 7-5 overall for the Steelers, 4-2 in their road games.
The ?under? is 7-5 overall for the Browns, but the ?over? is 3-2 in their home games.
The conditions are going to be a major factor tonight. According to weather.com, the low temperature will be 14 degrees with heavy wind and snow. Winds could be in the 25-35 mph range.
The NFL Network will have the telecast at 8:20 p.m. Eastern.
--The ?over? is 6-2-1 in the last nine head-to-head meetings between the Browns and Steelers.
--For what it?s worth (if anything), the ?over? is 4-0 in Pittsburgh?s four games as a double-digit favorite this year.
--Houston RB Steve Slaton (thumb, shoulder) has been placed on IR and will miss the remainder of the season.
--Philadelphia RB Brian Westbrook returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis. He has sustained two concussions this season and has missed three straight games. The Eagles are one-point underdogs in the Meadowlands against the Giants on Sunday night. Westbrook hasn?t been ruled out against the G-Men, but bettors should consider him ?doubtful? until further notice.
--Jets head coach Rex Ryan has decided to start Kellen Clemens at quarterback in Sunday?s game at Tampa Bay. Mark Sanchez was ruled ?out? Wednesday after spraining his knee in last Thursday?s win vs. Buffalo (in Toronto).
--The other rookie QB starter, Detroit?s Matthew Stafford, will also rest his sore shoulder against the Ravens. Veteran QB Daunte Culpepper will get the starting nod for the Lions, who are 13 ?-point road favorites.
